What do we look for?There are a good number of places around the Lehigh Valley to pick up some plants for the garden. So what do we look for in a nursery? Great plant variety. Reasonable prices. Out of the ordinary selections of perennials, trees, and shrubs. Friendly, knowledgeable nursery staff. Our two favorites of the moment are family-run nurseries on opposite ends of the greater Lehigh Valley: LennileaSouth of Alburtis, near Huff's Church, there's a little nursery tucked away. We would never have known about them if the local paper hadn't done a write-up on them a couple years ago. The husband/wife duo are both full of knowledge and helpful suggestions, and obviously love their plants. Offerings include a good selection of perennials, including ones off the beaten track; interesting tender perennials; and, most of all, a great, albeit seemingly random, selection of shrubs and trees. Even though it's a bit of a drive to get there, we make sure we come around at least once a year. Point Phillip PerennialsWay on the other side of the valley, north of Bath, there's another spousal unit with similar dedication to their plants. The nursery is worth a visit just for their display gardens, but once you're there you won't be able to resist their fine selection of home-grown perennials and woody plants, all at surprisingly reasonable prices. Visit them at www.ppperennials.com. Other good choicesEdge of the Woods is a native plant nursery just a few miles away in Fogelsville. Somehow I didn't know about them for years, and found out about them through a random web meander. I visited them this year (to donate a few ironweeds that were outgrowing their space in my garden, and took a look at their offerings. Lots of variety, in perennials, shrubs, and trees, including a few that are on my wish list; next year I'll plan my visit outside of the heat of summer... We also like to hit Foliage Farm near Kutztown every once in a while, just to see what new offerings they have. Their prices are higher than at the nurseries above, but they offer a different focus and selection. Glenmar nursery near Bath is worth visiting if you're looking for pond plants and accessories. Their selection of pumps and pond liners, toadpoles and fish, marginals and oxygenators, makes for a good one-stop shopping trip. Another hidden gem is Eagle Point farmer's market, right off Rt 100 near Trexlertown. Although their selling area is very small, they pack in quite a variety of perennials and herbs, including ones I haven't seen elsewhere in the valley. Reader recommendationsI haven't had a chance to personally check out the establishments below (at least not recently), but I include them because readers of this website wrote to me to recommend them: Countryside Farm & Greenhouse is a family-operated grower of annuals, perennials, vegetables and herbs near Kutztown. Jane in Bethlehem Township recommends Country Lawnscape on Morgan Hill Road, off Route 78 South of Easton), writing: "Joe and Carol are very nice. They carry a lot of plants and some unusuals. Sometimes I just go there and walk through the gardens because it is so peaceful". They also got a write-up in the Morning Call this summer. Both Robin and Michele wrote to commend Hickory Grove Greenhouses, a longstanding family-owned operation in North Catasauqua, for their selection of annuals and perennials and their friendly expertise. Robin also recommended Kuss Brothers, a garden center in Dorneyville (where I've been able to purchase Promix BX at times) for their selection of shrubs and trees, and Tilley's Nursery in Coopersburg for their water gardening assortment. Did we miss anyone?Some of our favorites above are little-known businesses that we just stumbled upon. So it's very possible that there are others out there that we don't even know about. If you think of other nurseries in the Lehigh Valley that make the grade, please let us know!
Last modified:
March 08, 2009 |
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