Recommend a nursery for trees

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  • #590280

    Robindianne
    Participant

    We want to get a tree or two for shade (and beauty) and need to talk to knowledgeable sales people before buying. Can you recommend a West Seattle nursery?

    Thanks!

    #662503

    r26
    Member

    The West Seattle Nursery on California is excellent. We got some trees last year and it was worth the extra $ to get quality product and GREAT knowledgeable service.

    #662504

    Irukandji
    Participant

    WSN will also deliver locally, which is a great help.

    #662505

    MargL
    Member

    If you’re looking for a thundercloud plum (at least that’s what I think it is) we have one we’re trying to get rid of. It’s about 5/6 ft. tall now and blooming.

    #662506

    cakeitseasy
    Member

    For common plants, your money may go further at a box store. Don’t assume you’re getting better quality just because you’re paying top dollar at an independent retail nursery. What you’re paying for (hopefully) is their advice, service and at some nurseries the hottest new plants. As for the plant material, the fact is many *local* wholesalers sell the same product to local box stores as they do independent small nuseries. The box stores don’t get the most trendy or new plants, and can’t always offer advice, but for popular, easy to grow standards, you’ll pay significantly less at box stores. The rub is that they often aren’t cared for as well once they reach the box store because they don’t always have well trained garden staff. Some stores do, however. But should the plant fail, they usually have more liberal return/exchange policies than the small nursery. Also, sometimes the plant material hasn’t been living in a pot as long in the box store because they move more product.

    #662507

    Homer
    Participant

    We have always bought our trees from Alpine Nursery in Renton. Very nice owner that helps you decide and a great selection with very reasonable prices too. Little mom and pop place I guess you’d call it but great stuff and lots of it. Common varieties and uncommon ones too. Just head out on 169 towards Maple Valley but you’ll be turning left right after the golf course and it’ll be nestled within a neighborhood. Google it for accurate directions. Great place.

    #662508

    Robindianne
    Participant

    Thanks everyone! I’ll check out WSN and Alpine (I need actual advice – I have a black thumb). What’s a thundercloud plum? I want some color but also, eventually, some shade on the west side of the house.

    I have no objections to big box stores; just need a real horticulturist or experienced plant person so I can ask about mossy grass, drainage, landscaping, etc. I want to form a relationship with them that I can continue.

    #662509

    mrhineh
    Member

    If you are going outside of WS, Swanson’s in North Seattle is an excellent nursery, helpful and knowledgable folks. Maybe not the cheapest, but at least their stuff doesn’t die after a month.

    #662510

    MargL
    Member

    Robindianne – A ‘thundercloud’ plum is one of those reddish-purple medium-sized ornamental plum trees that gets purple-cherry-blossom type flowers right about now. The one we have is growing in a ditch in front of our house under powerlines, seeded by a bird or squirrel. If you end up being interested in one you’re welcome to this one (that really goes for anyone reading this who wants it!)

    #662511

    Homer
    Participant

    One more thing…maybe if you don’t take that thundercloud plum, try a snowdrift or prairie fire crabapple. Very disease resistant, unusual in terms of your neighbors standard trees, and great color and form. Also, a Cornus Kousa Dogwood is a terrific tree, great “flowers” and fruits as well. Can’t go wrong with a flowering Kwanzan (sp?) cherry tree! Enjoy!

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