skip to main content

New England Gardening

Nurseries with shrubs grown locally in zone 5 or 4

16 years ago

I am looking for a number of shrubs--rhododendrons, pieris, and others--but want plants grown in cold climates. Even at what used to be good nurseries, they are importing all their shrubs from Oregon or mega-farms in the warmer part of the CT river valley.

I have not been happy with these. They have not been hardened off for zone 5 or 4 and the plants from the mega-farms often have pest or disease problems. I bought a number of Japanese yews a few years ago and most of them turned out to be infested with the black vine weevil, which I'd never heard of.

Any recommended growers north or west of Boston, or southern NH, or southern Maine? I have some major holes to fill.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

triciae
16 years ago
Ginny, Weston's still grows quite a bit. I know they sold off a lot of land but rhoddies & azaleas are their specialty. Give'em a call...

Tricia
chelone
16 years ago
You might also contact O'Donals in Gorham, Me.. I don't know how much they grow, but I'd be willing to bet they "grow them on".

Here is a link that might be useful: O'Donals
Related Discussions
Another zone 5/NY shrub
Q
Comments (3)
I was thinking possibly Mock Orange? I also forgot to mention that there were dried seed pods that I assume had persisted on the plant from the previous season. Pods reminded me of Mountain Laurel, but I am pretty sure that isn't it.
...See More
Acer x 'Keithsform' (Norwegian Sunset) Dieback in zone 4 & 5
Q
Comments (2)
Some add'l info: What I've noticed here in SE MI is that we often get temps below freezing (not just frost) while NS leaves are still green, which prevents them from developing any appreciable fall color. But those years when the fall temps decline more gradually NS can develop good orangish fall color. The other thing I've noticed in larger NS's is that they will grow as wide as tall (even though they're advertised to be taller than wide). Not sure if there's a perfect fit if you're looking for a maple that tolerates drought & alkalinity and doesn't grow too wide, but the first thing that comes to mind is State Street maple (Acer miyabei) - this tree has grown well on the higher pH clays around here, and so far has maintained an "upright" form (taller than wide). State Street will grow relatively large (bigger than it's often advertised to grow) and probably after many years it will widen out. Fall color is straight yellow, no orange or red. If you want a more compact, upright maple with good fall color, and your soil isn't too alkaline or too dry or you might consider Apollo sugar maple. Then there's Redpointe maple which, even though it's usually called an Acer rubrum, appears to be more tolerant of difficult soil conditions than straight rubrum. It's probably more accurate to call it a freemanii. It has good consistent red fall color, and stays taller than wide.
...See More
Can Lavender be grown in Zone 4?
Q
Comments (7)
Hi Vrie, I have my "Munstead" lavender in an exposed location. I leave it outside all year. Mine didn't flower this year. The fellow at the nursery who sold it to said that they were iffy here. They will survive some winters and croak other years. We tend to get good snowcover here. The hardy lavenders all seem to be short. The lavenders I saw on my garden tour were in a large plot surrounded by trees. I didn't ask about them but she has a large greenhouse. Ian
...See More
Picked up a 5 gallon Lilac @ the local nursery & have a question.
Q
Comments (6)
it needs to be hardened off to local area ... not sure it needs to go in the house .... but i might not throw it out in the middle of the yard... with FREEZE potential ... frost is probably not relevant .... regardless ... nothings going to kill it ... you just might lose the flowers ... ken
...See More
vickima
16 years ago
ginny, you might take a look at Uncanoonuc Mt. Perennials. They have quite few shrubs which I believe are locally grown in Goffstown, NH. It's a fun place to visit as their display gardens are wonderful. I bought a lot of plants there last year and was very happy, both with the quality of the plants and the help of the owner (Annette) in selection and growing advice.

Here is a link that might be useful: Uncanoonuc Mountain Perennials
ginny12
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, everyone. I used to buy a lot from Weston's but it is kind of a hike from where I am and I'm not so sure they grow as much as they used to. I really miss their catalog! I know it's online but it's not the same.

And I will check out the other two nurseries mentioned re shrubs. I appreciate the suggestions. Has anyone tried York's Hardy Rhododendrons in Maine? Chelone?
chelone
16 years ago
No, Ginny, I haven't. Is that the mid-coast place that carries the more interesting sorts?

I have dear friends in that area who used to own a greenhouse/nursery. If it is, I'll ask them for their assessment. Please advise.
chelone
16 years ago
You might also check out Skillin's. I've never been there, but the person who first turned me on to the delights of gardening (in windowboxes!) worked there and returned year after year to help them on Mother's Day.

So, I have to believe it's a "good place".

:)

Here is a link that might be useful: Skillins
ginny12
Original Author
16 years ago
York always has an ad in PPP magazine. No website but Google says it's in Bath. I do think he carries more unusual stuff. And thanks, Chelone, for the Skillins recommendation. Lots to look into.
WendyB 5A/MA
16 years ago
Bigelow's in Northborough might qualify.

We maintain the largest above ground B&B holding area in the country for our customers to draw from as well as thousands of container shrubs, trees, evergreens, roses, vines, groundcover and perennials. We also have been growing an excellent selection of both woody and herbaceous native plants for decades, and generally have thousands in stock.

Related Stories

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 5 Berry-licious Shrubs to Plant Now for Winter Interest

Showy color during snow season? You bet. These shrubs will wake up a garden with colorful berries when other plants are asleep

TREES How to Buy Healthy Trees and Shrubs

By Falon Mihalic

A healthy young plant with a strong form is more likely to do well in your yard. Here’s what to look for at the nursery

PLANTING IDEAS 5 Reasons to Bring Shrubs Into the Flower Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Mix up the garden experience and let the flowers and shrubs play together

SHRUBS 5 Glorious Late-Season Shrubs

Spilling over with berries or bursting with blooms, these stunning underused shrubs keep the garden party going through fall

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Drought-Tolerant Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun and Reflected Heat

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Got a hot spot in your garden where plants often die? Try these tough shrubs that add beauty while shrugging off the heat

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Native Shrubs for Year-Round Bird Feeding

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

It’s not just about berries. These plants provide insects for birds and seasonal interest for gardeners

GARDENING GUIDES How to Prune Your Flowering Shrubs for the Best Blooms

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Less is often more when it comes to properly pruning flowering shrubs. Here’s what to do and why

FALL GARDENING 9 Deer-Resistant Flowering Shrubs to Plant This Fall

These exquisite shrubs will attract your attention but won’t tempt the deer that roam your neighborhood at night

GARDENING GUIDES How to Avoid Overcrowded, Overpruned Shrubs

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Go for a more natural look that’s easier and less expensive to maintain by giving your plants the right amount of growing room

ATTICS Room of the Day: Cramped Attic Becomes a Grown-Up Retreat

By Becky Harris

A New Jersey couple renovates to create a new master bedroom in a space once used for storage

Sponsored

More Discussions

David Austin roses in Massachusetts

46

Remember the Blizzard of '78?

10

Spring is happening eventually

4

Show Us Your Landscape and Gardens - A Photo Thread March 2024

13

Wind Chimes - Do earbuds work to cancel their high-pitched chimes?

14