In Full Bloom

            There are horticultural treasures at our fingertips at Smith Mountain Lake available at a wide variety of nurseries. Each nursery has a different strength or focus. Together, they add up to an excellent resource for both the avid gardener and those who want a low-maintenance landscape or who just want to express their creativity with a few well-planted containers.

 

The Growing Place

            From the road you’d never guess the horticultural wonders available under the triple hoop houses at The Growing Place. In the 64,000-square-foot space, you’ll find a huge selection of perennials, including a wide choice of fern species, the latest exciting coral bells hybrids, sedums, hellebores, native plants, and hybrid coneflowers in a wide array of sunset colors. In the spring, you’ll find 50 varieties of tomatoes and an excellent selection of herbs, vegetables and hanging baskets. Owned by the Bayer family since 1982, Rachel Bayer, daughter of the founders, has been running The Growing Place since 1993. The Bayers grow 95 percent of their stock from tiny plugs, seeds and rooted cuttings. That’s a boon to customers because it means they are able to offer a wide selection of high-quality plants at low prices.

 

Lakescapes Nursery

            A full-service nursery with two locations, Lakescapes provides landscape design and maintenance, has an excellent selection of trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials, and an informed staff to help customers make educated choices. But what makes Lakescapes stand out from other local nurseries is the incredible selection of ceramic containers. You’ll find hundreds of glazed pots in a wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes and designs ranging from traditional to avant-garde. It’s filled with a treasure trove of awesome amphora and urns.

 

Walter’s Greenhouse

            A family owned business, the Walters grow a wide assortment of annuals and perennials which they sell in 2 ½-inch to 4-inch pots as well as in larger sizes. They also feature beautifully planted containers with creative, eye-catching flower and foliage combinations. You can buy one ready planted, or be inspired to create your own design. Another outstanding feature is an A-to-Z selection of herb, tomato and pepper varieties in starter-size containers. You’ll find heirloom as well as modern tomatoes, mild to tongue-exploding chili and pepper plants, and just about any herb you can think of, including named varieties of rosemary (different growth habits, flower color and hardiness) and lavender. Don’t miss the topiary animals, such as cats with “fiber optic” grass whiskers. A bit down the road from SML, but worth the trip.

 

Willowtree Nursery

            Willowtree Nursery is the place to go for a wide selection of homegrown Proven Winners-brand plants as well as trees; shrubs, including natives; and Belgard landscape pavers and wall systems. Owner Brad Moles, who opened Willowtree Nursery in 1988, grows 30-40 varieties of the Proven Winners plants, which are tested and proven to perform bountifully in gardens throughout the country. An excellent plantsman with a Landscape Horticulture degree from Virginia Tech, Moles also provides landscape-design services, including lakeside buffer gardens that meet American Electric Power shoreline requirements. 

 

Blackwater Nursery

            Dave Jones’s family has been in the nursery business in Carroll County since 1902. In 1984, Jones opened his own nursery in Rocky Mount, and has been overseeing the family run business since. Son Bryan handles the landscaping- and hardscaping-design services while daughter Jillian manages the retail side of the business. Dave focuses on growing the trees and shrubs. “We grow about 80 percent of what we sell,” he said, which is great news for lake residents because you know you’re getting plants that are well adapted to this area.

 

Moneta Farm and Home Center

            Moneta Farm and Home Center has been offering garden and farm supplies (plants as well as seeds, fertilizers, mulch, compost, manure, top soil, pest- and weed-control products, and statuary and ornaments) since 1973. You’ll find an excellent power-equipment department, including lawn mowers (push and riding), tillers, weed whackers, and electric or gas-powered hedge trimmers offered at competitive prices. The power-equipment department, which also provides full-service maintenance and repairs, is run by Jim Woodford, one of several members of the family’s third generation to be involved in the business.  A one-stop shop for many products, you’ll also find products associated with farm and hardware stores, as well as an assortment of items hard to find anywhere else.

 

Catriona Tudor Erler is a freelance garden writer, photographer and speaker who divides her time between SML and Charlottesville. She is the author of nine garden books, including “Design Ideas for Home Landscaping,” “Poolscaping: Gardening and Landscaping Around Your Pool and Spa,” and “Complete Home Landscaping.”

 

Contact Information

 

The Growing Place

Owner: Rachel Bayer

8747 Booker T. Washington Hwy., Wirtz

540.721.2574

Open March through October or early November depending on the weather.

Closed Sundays.

 

Lakescapes Nursery

Owner: Tim Tingler

Southlake

11509 Old Franklin Turnpike, Union Hall

540.576.2781, lakescapesnursery.com

Open year-round.

Westlake

13080 Booker T. Washington Hwy., Hardy

540.719.0028, lakescapesnursery.com

Open March to late December.

 

Walter’s Greenhouse

Owners: Rosalin Walter, Evelyn Walter Elwell, Janet Walter

1356 Coopers Cove Rd., Hardy

540.427.3578, waltersgreenhouse.com

Open mid-February to July 1.

 

Willowtree Nursery

Owner: Brad Moles 

300 Old Mountain Rd., Penhook

540.576.3031

Open year-round.

 

Blackwater Nursery

Owner: Dave Jones

21367 Virgil H. Goode Hwy., Rocky Mount

540.334.3415

Open year-round.

 

Moneta Farm and Home Center

Owners: Stuart and Jim Woodford

11739 Moneta Rd., Moneta

540.297.5558, monetafhc.com

Open year-round.