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7 Plant Nurseries in Forest Lake, MN

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Top Rated Farms in FOREST LAKE

Applewood Nursery & Landscape Supply
💬 89 reviews3.9
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Applewood Nursery & Landscape Supply

Full-service retail garden center. Top products: annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, mulch, natural stone. Applewood Nursery & Landscape Supply is a comprehensive retail garden center and landscape supplier located in Forest Lake, Minnesota. The business caters to both residential homeowners and professional landscapers, providing a wide array of horticultural products including annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs designed to support regional garden design. Beyond live plant material, the nursery operates as a landscape supply hub, offering hardscape materials such as natural stone, decorative boulders, and mulches. Their facility also includes a retail space dedicated to patio lifestyle products, including American-made grills and fire pit inserts. Applewood emphasizes customer support through educational guidance for lawn and garden maintenance, as well as logistical support for local projects, providing delivery services for both plant stock and heavy landscape materials to streamline project execution for their diverse customer base.

📍8785 Green Lake Trail, Forest Lake, MN 55025, USA
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Abrahamson Nurseries
💬 84 reviews4.7
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Abrahamson Nurseries

Full-service garden center nursery. Top products: trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, tropical houseplants. Abrahamson Nurseries is a comprehensive, full-service landscape design, greenhouse, and retail garden center operation. With multiple locations, they serve both residential homeowners and professional landscape clients by providing a vast inventory of horticultural products, including trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and tropical houseplants. Beyond retail plant sales, the business functions as a professional landscaping firm, offering specialized services that include custom landscape design, site installation, and tree planting. Their operations are supported by a knowledgeable staff and professional designers who assist customers with plant selection, soil preparation, and disease management. The company maintains a strong reputation for plant health and support, evidenced by their plant guarantee program. They integrate retail and service components, providing not only living plant materials but also hardscape goods, gardening tools, and garden decor to support complete outdoor living projects.

📍20021 St Croix Trail N, Scandia, MN 55073, USA
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Prairie Restorations Garden Center - Scandia
💬 36 reviews4.6
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Prairie Restorations Garden Center - Scandia

Native Plant Specialty Nursery. Top products: Native Minnesota perennials, Locally sourced native seeds, Native trees and shrubs, Custom seed mixes, Garden tools and accessories. Founded in 1977, Prairie Restorations, Inc. operates a network of garden centers and horticultural facilities in Minnesota, including their location in Scandia. The company specializes in the cultivation and distribution of native plant species adapted to regional ecosystems, including prairies, wetlands, woodlands, and shorelines. Their operations are two-fold: they serve as a retail and wholesale supplier of native plants and genetically appropriate seeds to homeowners, contractors, landscapers, and government agencies, and they function as a full-service ecological restoration firm. Their horticultural expertise covers site assessment, native landscape installation, and long-term land management, such as prescribed burns and invasive species removal. By focusing on biodiversity and ecological health, Prairie Restorations provides essential plant materials that support pollinators and local wildlife, emphasizing sustainable practices over traditional ornamental landscaping.

📍21120 Ozark Ct N, Scandia, MN 55073, USA
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Bergens Greenhouses
💬 27 reviews4.6
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Bergens Greenhouses

Year-round greenhouse plant grower. Top products: Ornamental plants, Seasonal plants, Garden center supplies. Bergens Greenhouses is a fourth-generation, family-owned horticultural operation that has been in business since 1921. With over a century of experience, the company specializes in the year-round production of quality plants within its specialized growing facilities. The business operates as both a large-scale grower and a retail garden center, with primary locations in Detroit Lakes and Columbus. They cater to a diverse clientele, including local homeowners and potentially wholesale markets, providing a wide variety of plant products cultivated through established horticultural expertise. Their long-standing history is defined by a commitment to consistent growth and professional cultivation practices, maintaining a focus on high-quality plant output and customer service across generations.

📍13821 Lake Dr NE, Forest Lake, MN 55025, USA
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Landscape Alternatives
💬 27 reviews4.9
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Landscape Alternatives

Native Plant Specialty Nursery. Top products: Native perennials, Native shrubs, Native grasses and sedges, Native ferns. Landscape Alternatives, established in 1986 and based in Shafer, Minnesota, is a specialized nursery dedicated to the propagation and sale of plants native to the region within 100 miles of the Twin Cities. Operating out of a farm in the St. Croix Valley, the nursery focuses on biodiversity and ecological restoration by offering over 200 species of native perennials, shrubs, grasses, and ferns. Their business model prioritizes the sale of healthy, pre-established plants over seeds to ensure consumer success in landscaping projects, ranging from home gardens and pollinator patches to shoreline restoration. The facility features display gardens and organizes its sales area by specific growing conditions—sunny/dry, sunny/wet, and shade—to assist customers in selecting appropriate species for their environment. The nursery serves a diverse clientele, including homeowners, educational organizations, and government agencies, providing professional guidance on plant selection and installation. With nearly 40 years of horticultural experience, the business is noted for its direct, knowledgeable staff who manage the growing and retail operations on-site.

📍25316 St Croix Trail N, Shafer, MN 55074, USA
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Hardwood Creek Nursery
💬 1 reviews5
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Hardwood Creek Nursery

Wholesale Large Caliper Tree Nursery. Top products: Large caliper deciduous trees, Field-grown shade trees, Ornamental trees. Hardwood Creek Nursery is a professional tree-growing operation focused on the production of high-quality, large-caliper nursery stock. Unlike traditional nurseries that harvest and yard trees, Hardwood Creek utilizes a direct-from-field loading method to minimize handling and improve transplant success rates. Their horticultural approach prioritizes soil health and ecological responsibility, utilizing deep tillage, cover crops, and organic inputs such as biochar to reduce reliance on heavy irrigation. A core differentiator is their commitment to growing trees to 3.5-inch caliper sizes or larger, exceeding standard industry market sizes. The nursery maintains an environmentally conscious production philosophy, specifically avoiding neonicotinoids to ensure bee safety. They serve as a specialized supplier for clients requiring mature landscape trees, leveraging proprietary equipment patents to maintain operational efficiency and superior product quality. Their primary target market includes professional landscapers and entities seeking established, nursery-grown ornamental and shade trees.

📍Henna Avenue North, Forest Lake, Minnesota, US
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Max Tree Farm

Large Caliper Shade Trees. Top products: large caliper deciduous shade trees, zone 4 hardy trees. Max Tree Farm is a specialized wholesale horticultural operation dedicated exclusively to the cultivation of large-format, 5-9 inch caliper shade trees. Unlike traditional ball-and-burlap nurseries, the farm focuses on proprietary growing techniques specifically designed to ensure the health, structural integrity, and successful transplanting of mature specimens. Their inventory consists of fifteen carefully selected deciduous tree varieties that are rigorously tested for hardiness in USDA Zone 4 environments. The business primarily serves professional landscapers and large-scale projects, offering trees grown in-ground and prepared for professional spade transplanting. By prioritizing individual tree care and vigorous growth patterns, the farm positions itself as a provider of instant landscape maturity and long-term environmental assets. They facilitate the transition of these mature trees into final landscapes through partnerships with specialized transplanting contractors, ensuring the integrity of the root system and overall tree health throughout the relocation process.

📍14789 Oren Rd N, Scandia, MN 55073, USA
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Local Nursery Scene in Forest Lake

Forest Lake and its surrounding areas in the St. Croix Valley provide a robust landscape for gardening, offering access to seven distinct nursery operations. This regional network spans from full-service retail garden centers stocked with annuals to specialized wholesale farms focusing on mature tree production. Minnesota gardening requires careful consideration of USDA Hardiness Zones, typically ranging from 3 to 4 in this region, which dictates that only cold-hardy perennials, trees, and shrubs will thrive long-term. Selecting plants that have been grown in this climate ensures higher survival rates compared to imported stock from warmer regions.

Comparison of Top Nurseries

Nursery NameRatingSpecializationType
Applewood Nursery & Landscape Supply3.9Landscape MaterialsRetail Garden Center
Abrahamson Nurseries4.7Full-Service DesignRetail Garden Center
Prairie Restorations Garden Center4.6Native PlantsSpecialty Nursery
Landscape Alternatives4.9Native PlantsSpecialty Nursery
Bergens Greenhouses4.6OrnamentalsProduction Greenhouse
Hardwood Creek Nursery5.0Large Shade TreesWholesale Nursery
Max Tree FarmN/ALarge Shade TreesWholesale Nursery

Deep Dive into Nurseries

Applewood Nursery & Landscape Supply serves as a convenient hub for both homeowners and contractors. They pair a large inventory of annuals and perennials with heavy landscape goods like stone and mulch, making them a one-stop shop for outdoor projects.

Abrahamson Nurseries operates a full-service model that integrates professional design services with a broad plant selection. Their plant guarantee program provides additional confidence for homeowners investing in high-value trees and shrubs.

Prairie Restorations Garden Center - Scandia specializes in ecological health, focusing on native species essential for local pollinators. Their staff provides expert advice on restoring regional ecosystems rather than traditional ornamental landscaping.

Landscape Alternatives emphasizes biodiversity by offering over 200 species of native plants specific to the St. Croix Valley. Their display gardens are organized by moisture and sunlight needs, which simplifies the selection process for amateur gardeners.

Bergens Greenhouses leverages over a century of family-owned experience to produce quality ornamental and seasonal plants. As a major producer, they ensure a steady supply of fresh greenhouse stock tailored to local seasonal requirements.

Hardwood Creek Nursery focuses on the production of exceptionally large-caliper deciduous trees using sustainable, bee-safe growing practices. Their direct-from-field method is designed for professional installers looking for immediate landscape maturity.

Max Tree Farm is a wholesale provider focusing on large-format shade trees for commercial projects. While they lack a traditional retail storefront, their focus on professionally installed 5-9 inch caliper trees makes them a key partner for large-scale landscaping upgrades.

Buying Guide for MN Gardeners

  • Climate-Adapted Stock: Always prioritize plants grown locally. These specimens have already endured Minnesota winters and are less likely to suffer transplant shock.
  • Native Benefits: Choose native perennials and shrubs from specialists like Landscape Alternatives or Prairie Restorations. These plants require less supplemental irrigation and fewer chemical fertilizers once established.
  • Visual Health Checks: Inspect plants for signs of pests or root-bound containers before buying. A healthy plant should have vibrant foliage and white, firm roots rather than brown, mushy ones.
  • Hardiness Zone Awareness: Verify that all woody plants are rated for USDA Zone 4 or lower to ensure they survive the extreme cold of a typical Forest Lake winter.
  • Seasonality: Plan your major installations for spring or early autumn. These periods allow root systems to establish before the stress of either deep winter frost or the peak heat of summer.
  • Soil Prep: Forest Lake soils vary. Before planting, test your soil pH and nutrient levels, then amend with organic matter such as compost or mulch provided by local suppliers to improve drainage and microbial health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the primary benefit of choosing a native plant nursery in Minnesota?

A: Native plant nurseries specialize in flora that evolved alongside local wildlife and weather patterns. These plants require significantly less water, fertilizer, and maintenance than ornamental exotics. By utilizing native species, Minnesota gardeners support essential local pollinators and contribute to the restoration of regional biodiversity, which is vital for long-term ecological health in the St. Croix Valley.

Q: Why does my plant need to be hardy for USDA Zone 4?

A: Minnesota winters are harsh, with temperatures frequently dropping well below zero. USDA Zone 4 corresponds to the minimum temperature range typical of the Forest Lake area. Choosing plants rated for Zone 4 or lower ensures that the plant's cell structure can withstand the deep freeze, preventing winter kill and ensuring the plant returns year after year.

Q: What is the difference between a wholesale nursery and a retail garden center?

A: A retail garden center is designed for the general public, offering smaller plant quantities, tools, and decorative goods. A wholesale nursery, like Hardwood Creek or Max Tree Farm, typically caters to professional landscapers, focusing on large-volume sales of mature trees or specialized landscape stock. They often lack retail displays and may require specific scheduling for site visits.

Q: When is the best time of year to plant trees in Forest Lake?

A: The optimal time to plant trees in this region is either during the cool, moist conditions of spring or early autumn. Planting during these windows allows the root system to become established in the soil before the tree must endure the metabolic demands of the intense summer heat or the physiological stress of the deep winter freeze.

Q: How do I know if a nursery's soil amendment is right for my yard?

A: Before purchasing bulk mulch or soil from a nursery, conduct a simple soil test to determine your yard's existing pH and composition. Forest Lake soils can be sandy or heavy in clay. Professional staff at a reputable nursery can recommend specific amendments, such as organic biochar or compost, to balance your soil's structure and improve moisture retention.

⭐ 4.6 average rating across 7 verified nurseries in Forest Lake

The most popular reviews:

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Melissa Strehmel3 weeks ago

What an exceptional garden center for native plants. They have trees, shrubs and perennials. The pricing is fair, the plants are healthy and the descriptions are very helpful! The staff are knowledgeable and friendly and the gift shop offers a variety of delightful and desirable gifts. They also have a resource wall with free brochures that are useful for gardeners and nature lovers.

Prairie Restorations Garden Center - Scandia
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Brandon Fuhry3 weeks ago

We needed 18 Prairie smoke plants for my son's Eagle Scout project. They were very friendly and helpful. Fair prices too. Highly recommended!

Landscape Alternatives
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Nate Kitzis3 weeks ago

They always have such a large and unique selection of plants! Several plants I haven’t been able to find elsewhere. Was having some issues with critters eating plants in my garden, as well as Japanese beetles on my raspberries! The owner came out and chatted with me for a while and directed me to the right products (I like natural solutions and he helped me pic those out) he also gave me a bunch of tips and tricks to try out that have been working great!

Applewood Nursery & Landscape Supply