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Plant Nurseries & Garden Centers in Maine

Explore 96 local plant nurseries across 14 cities.

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Top Rated Farms in ME

Longfellow's Greenhouses
💬 1050 reviews4.8
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Longfellow's Greenhouses

Full-Service Retail Plant Nursery. Top products: Perennials, Annuals, Houseplants, Flowering hanging baskets, Trees and shrubs. Longfellow's Greenhouses is a multi-generational, family-owned horticultural operation based in Manchester, Maine, established in 1977. Operating a facility that spans 32 greenhouses, the business serves as a leading regional producer and retailer of plant material. Their production focus includes large-scale cultivation of 45,000 perennials, 40,000 fall mums, 21,000 geraniums, and 18,000 poinsettias, alongside a massive inventory of flowering hanging baskets. They maintain one of Maine's largest houseplant departments and offer a vast selection of over 600 perennial varieties, many of which are grown on-site. Beyond plant production, Longfellow’s functions as an educational garden center, hosting horticultural demonstrations, lectures, and hands-on classes. The business caters primarily to home gardeners and plant enthusiasts, providing not only an extensive range of ornamental and edible plants but also soil amendments, gardening tools, and specialized supplies. The company is committed to regional expertise, providing comprehensive plant care guides and seasonal advice to ensure customer success.

📍81 Puddledock Rd
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Maine Audubon
💬 446 reviews4.8
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Maine Audubon

Native Plant Specialty Nursery. Top products: Native wildflowers, Native shrubs, Native trees. Maine Audubon is a non-profit conservation organization that operates a specialized native plant program focused on restoring and rebuilding natural biodiversity across Maine. Through their headquarters at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth, they maintain a dedicated nursery and growing operation for native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. Unlike traditional commercial nurseries, their primary mission is ecological; they cultivate plant species specifically chosen to support local wildlife, pollinators, and migratory birds. The organization recently expanded its capacity through the Ann and Jim Hancock Native Plants Education Center, which facilitates both the propagation of native flora and public education regarding the benefits of native gardening. Their customers include home gardeners, conservation-minded landowners, and those looking to improve habitat quality. Maine Audubon functions as a mission-driven supplier, using plant sales as a core tool to advocate for environmental sustainability and land stewardship.

📍118 Gilsland Farm Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105, USA
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Blue Seal Farm & Home
💬 305 reviews4.7
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Blue Seal Farm & Home

Garden Center and Supplies. Top products: Fertilizers, Lawn and Garden Tools, Mulch, Soil, Hardware. Blue Seal Farm & Home in Augusta, Maine, operates as a comprehensive regional hub for lawn, garden, and agricultural supplies. As part of a larger network of farm and home centers, the Augusta location serves local homeowners, gardeners, and small-scale growers by providing a foundational selection of horticultural inputs. Their core inventory includes soil amendments, specialized fertilizers, essential gardening tools, and high-quality mulches, facilitating both residential gardening and small-plot cultivation. The facility functions as a resource center for plant maintenance and land care, offering the technical hardware and chemical inputs necessary for the health of ornamental and edible landscapes. By positioning themselves as a retail destination for agricultural and lawn care necessities, they act as an essential support node for the regional horticultural community. They maintain consistent seasonal hours to cater to the logistical needs of local clients, ensuring access to essential land management supplies throughout the planting and maintenance cycles.

📍2310, North Belfast Avenue, Augusta, Maine, 04330, US
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Broadway Gardens Greenhouses Inc.
💬 250 reviews4.7
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Broadway Gardens Greenhouses Inc.

Retail Greenhouse and Garden Center. Top products: Annuals, Houseplants, Succulents and Cacti, Ficus and Tropicals, Potting soil and Fertilizers. Broadway Gardens Greenhouses Inc. is a prominent horticultural operation with locations in South Portland and Westbrook, Maine. With over 30 years of experience, the company focuses on the retail sale of high-quality indoor and outdoor plants, specializing in varieties that thrive in the unique Maine climate. Their business model centers on both plant production and consumer education, aiming to support customers in successful home gardening. They grow tens of thousands of plants annually in their own greenhouses, ensuring that their inventory is nurtured rather than mass-shipped. Their extensive catalog includes a wide range of houseplants—such as Fiddle Leaf Figs, Monstera, Pothos, and orchids—as well as seasonal outdoor perennials and pansies. Beyond plant sales, Broadway Gardens provides expert horticultural consultation, specialized soil mixes, pottery, and delivery services, positioning themselves as a long-term partner for both residential plant enthusiasts and home gardeners looking to maintain vibrant indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the year.

📍Broadway, South Portland, Maine, 04106, US
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Riverside Farm Stand & Greenhouse
💬 248 reviews4.8
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Riverside Farm Stand & Greenhouse

Seasonal produce and greenhouse. Top products: seasonal plants, flowering pots, tomato plants, fresh produce, oven-ready meals. Riverside Farm Stand & Greenhouse, located in North Berwick, Maine, is a multi-generational family operation dating back to the 1740s. The business serves the local community through a dual-focus model that combines horticultural offerings with a farm-to-table food service. Their facility features two greenhouses stocked with seasonal ornamental plants and vegetable starts, such as tomato plants, catering to home gardeners. Complementing their plant sales, the business operates an enclosed farm stand and a commercial kitchen. This retail space provides fresh seasonal vegetables, fruits, grass-fed beef, and a variety of prepared foods, including oven-ready meals, fudge, and signature apple cider donuts. Their mission centers on a 'Buy Local, Eat Local' philosophy, positioning the business as a community hub for both plant cultivation and local food distribution.

📍323 Elm St, North Berwick, ME 03906, USA
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Andy's Farm and Garden
💬 235 reviews4.9
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Andy's Farm and Garden

Retail Greenhouse and Garden Center. Top products: vegetable seedlings, annuals, hanging baskets, seed potatoes, bulk compost and mulch. Andy's Farm and Garden, located in Dayton, Maine, operates as a comprehensive agricultural and horticultural supply hub. The business centers its horticultural operations around a seasonal greenhouse that opens in May, offering a selection of annuals, vegetable starters, herbs, and hanging baskets. Beyond live plants, the center serves as a significant regional provider of gardening essentials, including an extensive variety of seed potatoes, onion sets, shallots, and asparagus crowns. They provide soil health solutions through the sale of bulk compost and supersoil, alongside general lawn and garden supplies. While the business also functions as a farm and feed store—providing livestock feed, beekeeping equipment, and wild bird supplies—their nursery division is a primary resource for local home gardeners and small-scale vegetable growers. The company maintains a strong community-focused mission, emphasizing support for local agriculture through educational resources, such as hay analysis services, and providing a diverse range of products tailored to the needs of rural and suburban residents in southern Maine.

📍13 Cole Farm Rd, Dayton, ME 04005, USA
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Blais Flowers, Gift Shop & Greenhouses
💬 186 reviews4.6
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Blais Flowers, Gift Shop & Greenhouses

Greenhouse and Floristry Center. Top products: Hanging baskets, Patio planters, Floral arrangements, Annual plants. Blais Flowers, Gift Shop & Greenhouses, located in Lewiston, Maine, operates as a dual-purpose horticultural and floral retail business. The establishment integrates a traditional florist service with active greenhouse operations, focusing on the production and sale of seasonal ornamental plants. Their core greenhouse offerings include home-grown annual hanging baskets, which are customizable based on sun exposure and color preference, as well as specialized patio pots featuring container-grown vines like Thunbergia on trellises. Beyond their living plant inventory, the business functions as a full-service florist, creating a wide range of custom floral arrangements, bouquets, and gift bundles for various occasions, including birthdays and memorials. They provide local delivery services and cater to a broad customer base of homeowners and individuals seeking both immediate floral gifts and seasonal horticultural products for home gardening.

📍539 Webster St, Lewiston, ME 04240, USA
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Wallingford Farm
💬 181 reviews4.6
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Wallingford Farm

Seasonal Nursery and Garden Center. Top products: Annual and perennial plants, Seasonal mums and asters, Christmas trees and wreaths, Ornamental pumpkins and gourds, Landscaping and planting services. Wallingford Farm, established in 1804 in Kennebunk, Maine, operates as a seasonal garden center and historic retail property. Their horticultural division focuses on a variety of annuals and perennials, including hydrangeas and beach roses, alongside a substantial seasonal selection of fall mums, asters, ornamental cabbage, kale, and peppers. During the holiday season, they retail Christmas trees, wreaths, and festive greenery. Beyond retail plant sales, the business provides professional landscaping services, covering garden design, bed installation, pruning, and seasonal cleanup. The site also functions as a destination farm store, offering a wide array of Maine-made specialty foods, preserves, and gift items, as well as an in-house bakery. The operation serves local homeowners looking for both plant stock and maintenance services, as well as visitors seeking seasonal agricultural products and ornamental landscape materials.

📍25 York St, Kennebunk, ME 04043, USA
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Highland Farm
💬 168 reviews4.8
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Highland Farm

Full-service nursery and garden center. Top products: annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, locally grown produce, Christmas wreaths and trees. Highland Farm (also known as Highland Avenue Greenhouse) is a long-standing horticultural establishment in Scarborough, Maine, operating since 1949. The business functions as a comprehensive garden center and grower, specializing in a wide variety of annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs. A core component of their operation is their commitment to environmentally conscious growing practices; they adhere to a 'Grow Naked' philosophy, utilizing biological controls and beneficial insects rather than synthetic pesticides in their greenhouses and fields. Beyond their nursery stock, the business maintains a focus on native species and pollinator-friendly plants. Highland Farm serves a diverse customer base, including homeowners and landscaping professionals, by providing plant stock, garden supplies, bagged soils, fertilizers, and pest control products. Additionally, they operate a seasonal farm market offering locally grown produce and provide landscape design services and educational gardening workshops.

📍119, Highland Avenue, Scarborough, Maine, 04074, US
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Young's Greenhouse
💬 159 reviews4.8
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Young's Greenhouse

Retail Greenhouse and Garden Center. Top products: Annual flowers, Vegetable starts, Perennials, Garden accessories. Young's Greenhouse is a family-owned and operated horticultural retail center that serves as a cornerstone for local gardening communities. Operating out of a facility featuring 14 spacious greenhouses, the business specializes in a diverse inventory of high-quality plant life, including seasonal annuals, vegetable transplants for home gardens, and a variety of perennials. Catering primarily to homeowners and local gardening enthusiasts, Young's Greenhouse emphasizes both product quality and customer experience, maintaining a reputation for healthy, robust stock and expert horticultural advice. The business offers a comprehensive selection of gardening essentials, ranging from decorative floral options to functional vegetable starts, supported by a knowledgeable staff. By combining a wide selection with a welcoming, local atmosphere, the greenhouse supports regional horticulture through both seasonal plant supply and educational workshops, positioning itself as a primary destination for spring and summer planting needs in its service area.

📍643 High St, South Paris, ME 04281, USA
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Skillins Greenhouses
💬 154 reviews4.8
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Skillins Greenhouses

Full-Service Retail Garden Center. Top products: Native Plants, Flowering Hanging Baskets, Houseplants, Bulk Mulch and Compost, Floral Arrangements. Skillin's Greenhouses is a comprehensive retail garden center and horticultural provider serving the community with a wide array of plant materials and gardening supplies. Their core operations include the production of high-quality, locally-grown ornamental plants, such as vibrant hanging baskets (begonias, petunias, and geraniums), as well as a dedicated focus on native plant species to support local ecosystems. Beyond their nursery-grown flora, the business operates as a full-service garden destination, offering residential and commercial customers bulk landscaping materials like loam, mulch, and compost. They also provide professional floral design services for events and everyday arrangements. With a strong commitment to education and DIY support, Skillin's maintains a resource-rich digital presence, including tutorials for garden maintenance. Their model integrates traditional nursery cultivation with retail floral services and landscaping supply, catering to home gardeners and plant enthusiasts seeking both seasonal decor and durable landscape additions.

📍4 Old Mill Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105, USA
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Sprague's Nursery & Garden Center
💬 152 reviews4.6
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Sprague's Nursery & Garden Center

Retail and Wholesale Garden Center. Top products: trees, shrubs, flowers, landscaping supplies, gardening accessories. Sprague's Nursery & Garden Center, located in Bangor, Maine, is a multi-generational, family-owned horticultural business established in 1947. Operating as both a retail destination for homeowners and a wholesale supplier for industry professionals, the business maintains extensive greenhouse facilities spanning thousands of square feet. Their core inventory includes a wide variety of ornamental trees, shrubs, and flowers designed for the regional climate. Beyond plant sales, Sprague's operates as a community hub for horticultural education, hosting regular gardening classes and seasonal workshops for both amateur and experienced gardeners. The company provides a comprehensive selection of gardening supplies and tools, alongside a loyalty-based reward program for customers. By balancing retail sales, professional wholesale services, and educational outreach, Sprague's Nursery & Garden Center serves as a foundational horticultural resource for the Bangor region.

📍1664 Union St, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
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Snug Harbor Farm
💬 138 reviews4.7
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Snug Harbor Farm

Ornamental plant nursery and landscaping. Top products: Ornamental plants, Shrubs, Trees, Perennials. Snug Harbor Farm operates as a multifaceted horticultural business specializing in the cultivation and sale of ornamental plants, trees, and shrubs. The business maintains on-site greenhouses where they propagate and nurture a wide variety of plant material suitable for the local climate. Beyond their retail nursery offerings, Snug Harbor Farm provides professional landscape services, assisting both residential and commercial clients with landscape design, installation, and site development. Their operational model bridges the gap between a traditional garden center and a full-service horticultural firm, offering high-quality greenery alongside expert guidance for landscape improvement. The farm emphasizes a year-round commitment to plant health and aesthetic design, catering to homeowners seeking to enhance their outdoor spaces as well as individuals looking for curated plant selections. By integrating plant retail with professional horticultural consulting and installation, they serve as a comprehensive resource for regional gardening and landscaping needs.

📍87 ME-9, Kennebunk, ME 04043, USA
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Gray Farms Greenhouses
💬 132 reviews4.8
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Gray Farms Greenhouses

Retail and wholesale greenhouse nursery. Top products: annual plants, perennial plants, shrubs, seasonal decor. Gray Farm Greenhouses is a long-standing family-owned horticultural operation with over 50 years of history. Transitioning from a modest roadside stand, the business has expanded significantly to encompass 25,000 square feet of greenhouse space and 3 acres of outdoor display area. The facility operates primarily as a grower-retailer, producing the vast majority of their plant inventory on-site. Their current catalog features hundreds of varieties of plants, positioning them as a comprehensive garden center that caters to both hobbyist gardeners and professional landscapers. Beyond their core nursery production, the operation integrates a garden center and gift shop, emphasizing a diverse range of seasonal plants and horticultural supplies. Their business model relies on large-scale on-site propagation to maintain quality control and variety, serving the local community as a primary source for ornamental and garden-ready vegetation.

📍1322 N Berwick Rd, Wells, ME 04090, USA
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Garden Spot Farm
💬 129 reviews4.9
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Garden Spot Farm

Seasonal Garden Center Nursery. Top products: annual flowers, vegetable starts, hanging baskets, seasonal mums, Christmas trees. Garden Spot Farm operates as a comprehensive seasonal garden center catering to local home gardeners and plant enthusiasts. The business maintains a diverse inventory that shifts according to the agricultural calendar, offering vegetable starts, annual bedding plants, and ornamental flowers throughout the spring and summer months. Their product range includes a variety of container sizes, from starter pots to mature combination hanging baskets. In addition to spring plantings, the nursery transitions into an autumn-focused retail space featuring seasonal chrysanthemums, pumpkins, and decorative gourds. During the winter season, the facility functions as a holiday provider, supplying fresh Christmas trees, handmade cedar garlands, wreaths, kissing balls, and traditional holiday florals such as poinsettias and cyclamen. The business serves the local community through direct retail sales, maintaining daily operational hours and providing periodic promotional discounts for seniors and general customers.

📍896 Lawrence Rd, Pownal, ME 04069, USA
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Allen Sterling & Lothrop
💬 114 reviews4.6
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Allen Sterling & Lothrop

Full-Service Retail Garden Center. Top products: Garden seeds, Lawn seeds, Nursery stock, Greenhouse plants, Landscaping supplies. Allen, Sterling & Lothrop is a long-standing, family-owned and operated garden center and horticultural supplier that has been serving the community since 1911. The business functions as a comprehensive retail destination for both amateur gardeners and professional landscapers. Their core operations include the sale of a wide range of horticultural products, including lawn and garden seeds, greenhouse-grown plants, and various nursery stock items. Beyond plant sales, they cater to professional contractors and landscapers through specialized sales hours and services, including hydroseeding supplies. The company maintains a physical retail storefront that incorporates both a plant nursery and a gift shop, positioning itself as a central hub for regional gardening needs. Their business model emphasizes long-term regional expertise, providing the necessary supplies and plant materials to support both residential and commercial landscaping projects across the area.

📍191 US-1, Falmouth, ME 04105, USA
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Estabrook's
💬 114 reviews4.6
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Estabrook's

Full-Service Retail Garden Center. Top products: Trees and shrubs, Perennials and annuals, Vegetable starts and herbs, Bulk soil and mulch, Ornamental groundcovers. Estabrook's is a prominent, family-owned and operated full-service garden center based in Maine, with retail locations in Yarmouth and Kennebunk. The business serves both residential homeowners and professional landscapers by offering a vast selection of plant material, including ornamental trees, shrubs, roses, perennials, annuals, and edible starts. Central to their operations is a dedicated production greenhouse facility located in Pownal, Maine, which enables the company to locally grow a significant portion of their inventory, ensuring quality and regional hardiness. Beyond retail sales, Estabrook's functions as a comprehensive horticultural partner by providing professional services such as on-site garden consultations, a labor-intensive planting service for trees and shrubs, and bulk delivery of landscape amendments like compost, mulch, and stone. Their model integrates modern convenience, such as Ship2Store and direct-to-home shipping, with traditional agricultural support, emphasizing plant care education, seasonal maintenance advice, and high-quality horticultural products.

📍337 E Main St, Yarmouth, ME 04096, USA
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Skillin's Greenhouses
💬 109 reviews4.4
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Skillin's Greenhouses

Full-Service Retail Garden Center. Top products: Hanging flower baskets, Native plants, Floral arrangements, Bulk mulch and compost, Houseplants. Skillin's Greenhouses is a comprehensive retail garden center and horticultural supplier that operates multiple locations to serve both local homeowners and gardening enthusiasts. The business specializes in a wide array of nursery stock, including a significant selection of native plants and seasonal floral offerings. A cornerstone of their operation is their own production of high-quality, 'Skillin's-Grown' hanging baskets, such as petunias, begonias, and geraniums. Beyond live plants, the company functions as a one-stop horticultural resource, providing bulk landscaping materials like mulch, loam, and compost. They also operate a dedicated floral shop for arrangements and offer a variety of indoor houseplant collections. Committed to community education, Skillin's provides resources through instructional video content to support DIY gardening projects. Their business model integrates retail plant sales with expert floral design and landscape supply services, maintaining a strong focus on local growing quality.

📍422 Bath Rd, Brunswick, ME 04011, USA
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Stevens Farm & Greenhouses
💬 106 reviews4.8
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Stevens Farm & Greenhouses

📍674 Main St, Monmouth, ME 04259, USA
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North Of The Border
💬 99 reviews4.8
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North Of The Border

📍605 Bath Rd, Wiscasset, ME 04578, USA
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Fieldstone Gardens Inc
💬 93 reviews4.5
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Fieldstone Gardens Inc

Perennial and Ornamental Nursery. Top products: Hardy Northern-grown Perennials, Siberian Iris Hybrids, Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, Peonies, Clematis. Fieldstone Gardens Inc. is a family-owned, multi-faceted retail nursery and garden center established in 1984, located on a 280-acre site in Vassalboro, Maine. The business operates both as a physical destination, featuring 20 acres of display gardens and nursery beds, and as an e-commerce operation that ships plants nationwide. They specialize in a vast catalog of over 1,000 varieties of cold-hardy perennials, specifically tailored for Northern growing conditions, including unique cultivars such as their signature Siberian Iris hybrids. Beyond their extensive perennial collection, they offer a wide range of ornamental trees, shrubs, and specialty garden plants. Their horticultural practices emphasize the sale of high-quality, bare-root and container-grown stock, supported by meticulous, in-house packaging techniques to ensure plant viability during transit. Serving both local Maine customers and nationwide gardening enthusiasts, the business focuses on high-quality botanical variety, educational customer support, and traditional nursery values.

📍55 Quaker Ln, Vassalboro, ME 04989, USA
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Hutchings Greenhouse
💬 89 reviews4.9
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Hutchings Greenhouse

📍444 Riverside Dr, Eddington, ME 04428, USA
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Gammon Landscape Nursery Inc.
💬 84 reviews4.2
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Gammon Landscape Nursery Inc.

Retail Garden Center Nursery. Top products: Annuals, Vegetable starts, Hanging baskets, Christmas trees. Gammon Landscape Nursery Inc., located in Auburn, Maine, operates as a traditional retail garden center and nursery. The business serves both residential homeowners and local landscape professionals by providing a diverse selection of horticultural products. Their inventory centers on seasonal plant materials, including a significant focus on annual bedding plants and vegetable starts. During the spring and summer months, they maintain a high volume of flowering annuals and pre-planted hanging baskets. As a seasonal operator, the nursery also transitions into Christmas tree sales during the winter months, catering to holiday demand. By offering both botanical products and standard nursery supplies, Gammon Landscape Nursery serves as a regional horticultural resource, emphasizing convenience through a fixed retail location on Turner Road. Their operations prioritize the supply of live plant materials rather than exclusively focusing on lawn maintenance or hardscaping services.

📍2841, Turner Road, Auburn, Maine, 04210, US
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Estabrook's
💬 82 reviews4.6
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Estabrook's

Full-Service Retail Garden Center. Top products: Annuals and Perennials, Trees and Shrubs, Vegetable starts and Herbs, Mulch, Soil, and Compost, Seasonal Holiday Decor. Estabrook's is a family-owned and operated, full-service garden center with flagship operations in Yarmouth and Kennebunk, Maine. The company manages a comprehensive horticultural production facility in Pownal, Maine, which allows them to grow a significant portion of their nursery stock locally. Their core offerings include an extensive selection of annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, and vegetable starts, complemented by bulk landscaping materials such as mulch, compost, and soil. Beyond retail, Estabrook's provides professional garden consulting services, residential planting services, and both local delivery and direct-to-consumer shipping options for plant stock. They cater primarily to home gardeners, landscape enthusiasts, and local property owners, providing both the physical plant material and the expert botanical support—including seasonal maintenance advice and pest/climate care guides—necessary to cultivate successful gardens in the harsh Maine climate.

📍97 York St, Kennebunk, ME 04043, USA
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The Nursery & Garden Center Market in Maine

Maine hosts a robust horticultural infrastructure supported by 87 verified nurseries and garden centers across 14 active city markets. The industry is defined by regional specialization, where businesses pivot between seasonal bedding plants, hardy perennials, and cold-climate-ready nursery stock. The market density reflects the state's geography, with the southern and coastal corridors showing the highest concentration of retail activity. These businesses serve a diverse demographic, ranging from residential home gardeners to professional landscapers seeking cold-hardy, locally sourced species.

Top Cities for Nurseries & Garden Centers

The distribution of nurseries and garden centers is not uniform, gravitating heavily toward the more populated and agriculturally accessible zones of the state. Auburn leads the market with 15 verified locations, likely due to its strategic position in Androscoggin County, serving as a hub for both urban residential needs and surrounding agricultural zones. Augusta follows with 11 facilities, serving as a central logistical point for central Maine. Sanford also boasts 11, drawing from its proximity to the New Hampshire border and coastal influx. Biddeford (9), Westbrook (8), and Lewiston (8) round out the significant market centers. This concentration in the south and central regions is driven by shorter transport times for greenhouse inventory and high foot traffic compared to the more sparsely populated northern reaches of the state.

Maine Climate & Plant Selection

Maine's climate presents a rigorous testing ground for any garden center. The state spans USDA hardiness zones 3 through 6. Nurseries must stock inventory that withstands brutal winter temperatures, heavy snowpack, and a significantly short frost-free growing season. Soil conditions in Maine vary widely, often consisting of acidic, granite-derived substrates or dense glacial till. Successful garden centers in the region prioritize native plants such as lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), northern bayberry, and various species of spruce and fir. These species possess the genetic resilience required for the state's acidic soils and cold winters. Conversely, many greenhouses in Auburn and Portland focus on 'short-season' annuals that provide instant color for the brief, intense summer months. Drought tolerance is becoming a secondary requirement as modern summers experience prolonged dry spells, prompting a shift in nursery stock toward deep-rooted perennials.

Sourcing Plants Locally in ME

For gardeners and landscape professionals in Maine, sourcing from a local nursery ensures that the plant material has been acclimated to the specific microclimate of the region. Consider the following when evaluating your next purchase:

  • Prioritize nurseries that propagate their own stock, as these plants often have superior root development for local soil types compared to mass-market arrivals.
  • Check for cold-hardiness labels that align with your specific zone, particularly if shopping in inland regions like Augusta or Lewiston.
  • Utilize reputable local garden centers like Longfellow's Greenhouses, Maine Audubon, or Broadway Gardens Greenhouses Inc., which often provide consultation on local pest management and soil amendment needs specific to the Maine climate.
  • Inquire about the provenance of container-grown stock to ensure it hasn't been shipped from southern zones that lack the hardiness for a Maine winter.
  • Look for garden centers that offer native plant nurseries; these providers support local biodiversity and offer species that require minimal chemical intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the most important environmental factors for planting in Maine?

A: The primary factors are the USDA hardiness zones, which range from 3 to 6, and the state's typically acidic soil conditions. Plants must tolerate cold winter temperatures, significant snowfall, and a short, intense growing season. Homeowners should always test their soil pH and select native species that are naturally adapted to Maine’s unique geological and climatic profile to ensure long-term success.

Q: Why is it better to buy plants from a local Maine nursery?

A: Local nurseries in Maine grow plants acclimated to the regional microclimate and specific environmental stresses of the state. By sourcing plants locally, you reduce the risk of transplant shock. These businesses also provide expert advice on local pests, regional soil amendments, and seasonal planting schedules that big-box stores cannot match, ensuring your plants survive Maine's harsh winters and thrive during the short growing season.

Q: When is the best time of year to visit a Maine garden center?

A: The prime window is from mid-May through late June. During this period, nurseries and garden centers are fully stocked with spring annuals, vegetable starts, and hardy perennials. However, autumn is an excellent time to buy woody shrubs and trees, as the cooler temperatures allow for root establishment before the ground freezes, which is critical for survival in Maine's colder zones.

Q: Do Maine nurseries carry native species?

A: Yes, many of the top-rated nurseries in cities like Auburn and Portland focus on native species. Because Maine's ecosystem is unique, native plants like the northern bayberry and various blueberries are better suited for the state's acidic, cold-hardy environment. Purchasing native species from a local garden center helps support the state's biodiversity and ensures your garden requires less water and fewer chemicals to maintain.

Q: What types of plants struggle in Maine's climate?

A: Plants that require long, hot growing seasons or cannot tolerate freezing, wet winter soil conditions generally struggle in Maine. Tender perennials, certain ornamental grasses, and exotic species suited for temperate zones 7 or higher often fail to survive the winter. Always check the hardiness zone tag and avoid planting anything that is not rated for your specific region to prevent losing your investment to frost damage.

⭐ 4.8 average rating across 96 verified nurseries in Maine

The most popular reviews:

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Faye Bergeron2 hours ago

Really good selection and very helpful and personable staff.

Local Nursery
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Andrea PedersonEdited a day ago

We were at Wallingford Farm last October (as we were in New England celebrating our 39th anniversary) and the owner, Charles Godfrey was one of the most delightful and interesting people we have ever met! It was so wonderful to talk to him and hear about the history of places in Maine, and see the beautiful nursery, home and outbuildings he had. It was truly one of the best parts about visiting Maine and made us feel connected and so much more appreciative of this great state and it's history! Just a wonderful nursery and a remarkable man. You just don't find this kind of special attention from people anymore, but we left uplifted and so happy that we had stopped at this beautiful place! We didn't buy a single plant or pumpkin since we were traveling, but he made us feel valued and important and gave us much to think about. Truly one of the greatest generation. <3 Thank you Charles--you were an absolute delight! Update: We were able to come back to visit Wallingford farm in 2025 with our family and they loved the gift shop and talking to Charles again! It was just a lovely experience and after all the nice things I told them beforehand they could all see why we enjoyed going there so much! I just love this place and the towns of Kennebunk / Kennebunkport so much!

Wallingford Farm
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Jim Delisle3 days ago

Very friendly staff and plenty of plants to choose from. Found everything I needed

Young's Greenhouse
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Carol M Jamesa week ago

First time here and I love this place. I can't wait to be back! Beautiful trees, plants, and flowers, beautiful gardens and property to walk around. Purchased multiple plants and an iron plant hanger. Everyone was so helpful. Special thank you to Missy for everything!

Fieldstone Gardens Inc
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Jon Davisa week ago

The selection here is over the top, no need to go anywhere else.

Estabrook's
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cdox2 weeks ago

What a great experience, the staff clearly love what they do. I went in to find a plant for my friend's 40th and found the perfect succulent. They have a really good display of cards and other gifts as well.

Local Nursery