Gossler Farms: The Woody Plant Experts

Have you ever gone to a nursery and discovered no one knows anything about plants or purchased plants online that were given misleading or inaccurate growing information? If you've ever wanted to shop at a nursery where the owners are actually gardeners, then head to Gossler Farms Nursery. Located in Springfield, OR, Gossler Farms is one of those amazing places that is owned and staffed by real gardeners.

hamamelis intermedia 'Luna'

Home to some of the coolest plants around, Gossler Farms has been in business for 48 years and sells and ships year round. Run by the Gossler family, they specialize in shrubs and trees and are home to 65 varieties of magnolia and 43 types of witch hazel (hamamelis), all of which are available online. Their plants are huge so don't be surprised when a giant box arrives on your doorstep with a robust plant carefully tucked inside. 

The nursery is also home to a three acre display garden full of carefully selected shrubs and trees. So vast is their knowledge, they've written a book. If you're in the Springfield/Eugene, Oregon area they nursery is open to visitors if you call ahead. Roger is even available as a garden coach.  

Botanical Interests: Seeds of Happiness

There is something about functional beauty I find irresistible. Maybe it's the idea of finding or creating beauty in that which doesn't have to be beautiful. It's a reminder in a world full of images both tragic and disturbing that the smallest things can be simple works of art. Some of the first seeds I grew came from Botanical Interests seed packets so pretty I'd stopped to enjoy the tiny paintings on the cover before deciding to buy them.

Started by Curtis Jones and Judy Seaborn in 1995, Botanical Interests has grown from a tiny company based out of their living room to one of the most trusted sources of seed in the US. Offering over 600 varieties of  seed, all seeds from Botanical Interests are non-GMO and untreated with pesticides. 

In addition to being beautiful, the seed packets from Botanical Interests are packed with useful, realistic information to help you germinate and grow your seeds successfully. Filled with high quality seed grown in the US, they offer us the chance to create our own works of art through gardening, whether it's a few flower seeds scattered in an empty pot or a field full of vegetables. We all need more beauty and happiness right now. Why not start with some seeds?

Annual rudbeckia hirta gently self-seeds in my garden. The pots in the background contain zinnias grown from Botanical Interests seeds. 

Persian Carpet zinnias

Mountain Crest Gardens: Low Water Wonders

Maybe it's because I'm a California native with memories of drought, hot, dry winds, and a deep understanding of how quickly a single flame can bring down an entire neighborhood, but I have a huge respect for any plant that doesn't want to be watered. Despite living in the occasionally soggy mid-Atlantic, I've stuffed my Virginia garden with as many low water plants as possible. This summer I'll be adding more from Mountain Crest Gardens, a family owned California nursery that specializes in succulents. 

Sempervivum 'Saga'

Mountain Crest sells over 650 varieties of succulents, including Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks), Sedum, Jovibarba heuffelii, Echeveria, Crassula, Haworthia, Kalanchoe, Senecio, Aeonium,  succulent ground covers, and more. Their plants are perfect as houseplants, ground cover, lawn replacement, wedding favors, terrariums, fairy gardens, wreaths, and more. They ship to all 50 states and Puerto Rico. There is no minimum order and shipping is free on qualifying orders within the continental US. 

 Echevaria imbricata 

Blue Rose echevaria

Succulents used in a green roof

With a selection this enormous, it's easy to find the right plant for every climate and project. Plants that rarely need to be watered? What's not to love!

Grimm's Gardens: The Mid-Western Experts

Maybe it's because I'm the daughter of a Navy sailor who married an Air Force aviator, but I've spent my life surrounded by people who aren't native to where they currently live. There is a lot to be said for sharing a meal with people who come from different parts of the US and realizing, despite different accents and perspectives, we have more in common than we think. Having spent many years in the mid-west, I quickly learned the plants, like the people, need to be tough. If you're looking for plants as undaunted as the prairie, head to Grimm's Gardens. Plants are available both online and at the nursery.

Dalea, a tough prairie native, is available from Grimm's Gardens.

Every plant sold at Grimm's has been trialed to determine if it will thrive in hot mid-western summers and cold winters. The skilled, educated staff are experts on trees and shrubs tolerant of the mid-western climate. Perennials, annuals, grasses, roses, fruiting plants, and vegetable starts are also sold. They offer monthly specials and free shipping on qualifying orders. Grimm's has a large selection of drought tolerant plants that attract pollinators, such as orange milkweed, asclepias tuberosa.  Unlike many nurseries that sell plugs or seedlings, Grimm's sells and ships large, mature plants like those found at local garden centers. When you open your order, robust, healthy plants will be waiting!

Here's the scoop from a Grimm's customer:

"I just received my shrubs and they are great looking plants. Thanks for the extra care that was taken in packaging them up. They are very large plants. My expectations were exceeded, for sure. You can count on me to be a return customer. (Copper Ridge viburnum)  Stacey from Michigan

'Jethro Tull' coreopsis is currently on sale.

Dancing Oaks: Your Destination for the Unique and Unusual

I love it when gardeners describe themselves as plant addicts, with no apologies or explanations. Leonard Foltz and Fred Weisensee of the spectacular Oregon nursery Dancing Oaks are passionate gardeners and enthusiasts of unusual and unique plants. Their idea of a vacation is a plant collecting expedition to South Africa or Chile!

Epimedium 'Caramel' from Dancing Oaks

Dancing Oaks ships nationwide and only sells plants of the highest quality. Grown on site at their nursery or through reputable growers, trees, shrubs, and perennials that "merit cultivation and appreciation" are offered through on site sales as well as their website. Biennials, ferns, bulbs and tubers, vines, grasses, and bamboo are also offered. Their online catalog lists helpful and humorous information about each plant. 

For gardeners in the area, their nursery is surrounded by gorgeous display gardens and features a pavilion perfect for group events. "In concert with the plants in the garden are water features, xeric gardens, metal sculptures created by local artists, a vine covered cedar pergola, hand made glass art and urns and pots for garden ornaments."


For more information about Dancing Oaks, check out Grace Pete's blog post about her visit to the nursery.