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9 Plant Nurseries in Wake Forest, NC

Showing 9 verified nurseries & garden centers near you

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Top Rated Farms in WAKE FOREST

Chris' Greenhouse & Garden Center
💬 123 reviews4.8
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Chris' Greenhouse & Garden Center

Full-service retail garden center. Top products: Annual and perennial plants, Trees and shrubs, Bedding plants, Mulch, soil, and amendments, Garden accessories and statuary. Established in 1981, Chris' Greenhouse & Garden Center is a comprehensive horticultural retailer located east of Raleigh, North Carolina. Serving homeowners and professional landscapers across Franklin, Wake, and Nash counties, the business operates as a full-service garden center. Their primary offerings include a diverse inventory of annual and perennial plants, seasonal bedding plants, and a selection of trees and shrubs. Beyond living inventory, the center stocks a wide range of gardening essentials, including soil amendments, fertilizers, mulch, and stone. The facility features a physical greenhouse space for customers to explore and source plants. In addition to horticulture, they maintain a retail storefront for outdoor living supplies, including decorative pottery, statuary, water fountains, garden furniture, fire pits, and birding supplies. The business emphasizes customer education, personal service, and the provision of high-quality plant material for regional gardening projects.

📍35 Pine Ridge Rd, Zebulon, NC 27597, USA
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The Flower Shack
💬 32 reviews4.9
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The Flower Shack

Ornamental and Fruit Plant Nursery. Top products: David Austin Roses, Japanese Maples, Hydrangeas, Clematis Vines, Fruit trees and berry bushes. The Flower Shack is a dedicated local plant nursery located in North Carolina, serving homeowners and gardening enthusiasts with a diverse selection of high-quality horticultural products. The nursery specializes in a broad range of ornamental and edible plants, with a strong focus on high-demand varieties including David Austin Roses, Japanese Maples, and various species of hydrangeas and clematis vines. Their inventory is primarily sourced from local North Carolina growers, alongside reputable national brands like Proven Winners and Weeks Roses. In addition to ornamental shrubs and flowering perennials, the business offers a functional selection of fruit trees, grapevines, and berry bushes specifically selected for the regional climate. Seasonally, they supply bedding plants, vegetable starts, and hanging baskets. The business emphasizes plant health and provides expert horticultural guidance to assist customers in maintaining successful landscapes. By operating as both a retail point and a knowledgeable resource, The Flower Shack supports local gardening projects, prioritizing NC-grown stock to ensure adaptation to local environmental conditions.

📍1268 Mount Olivet Church Rd, Franklinton, NC 27525, USA
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Hamm's Greenhouse
💬 31 reviews4.7
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Hamm's Greenhouse

📍Flat Rock Church Road, Royal, North Carolina, 27549, US
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HerbFest
💬 27 reviews4.6
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HerbFest

Heirloom Herb and Perennial Nursery. Top products: heirloom herb starts, organic vegetable starts, fall chrysanthemums, native perennials. HerbFest is a long-standing horticultural event and plant supplier based in Wake Forest, North Carolina, with over 25 years of operation. The organization focuses on the distribution of certified organic, non-GMO, and heirloom plant varieties specifically acclimated to the USDA Zone 7b environment. Their offerings center on edible, medicinal, and ornamental herbs, as well as vegetables and seasonal chrysanthemums. By sourcing plants that are locally grown in North Carolina, they cater to home gardeners and plant enthusiasts seeking sustainable and regional varieties. The business operates as both an educational community festival and a seasonal retail hub, with proceeds benefiting the Graham Johnson Cultural Arts Endowment. Their mission emphasizes promoting a healthy, garden-based lifestyle through the distribution of high-quality, ecologically responsible plant stock and the dissemination of horticultural knowledge to the local community.

📍125, South White Street, Wake Forest, North Carolina, 27587, US
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Herakovich Farms
💬 17 reviews5
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Herakovich Farms

📍6611 Oscar Barham Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587, USA
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Bullock's Nursery & Landscape Supply
💬 14 reviews4.9
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Bullock's Nursery & Landscape Supply

Retail plant nursery and landscape supply. Top products: seasonal greenhouse plants, trees and shrubs, mulch, topsoil, decorative stone, driveway gravel. Bullock's Nursery & Landscape Supply, located in Franklinton, NC, operates as a comprehensive outdoor supplier serving both residential homeowners and professional contractors across the Durham, Wake Forest, and surrounding regions. The business combines a dedicated landscape material supply operation with a functional plant nursery. Their horticultural infrastructure includes three on-site greenhouses where they cultivate and retail a variety of seasonal plants. Beyond their greenhouse production, the nursery offers a selection of trees and shrubs suitable for landscaping projects. Complementing their plant offerings, the company acts as a primary source for bulk landscape materials, including various types of mulch, fertile topsoil, aggregates, and decorative stone. Focused on operational efficiency for their clients, they provide same-day or next-day delivery services for their bulk materials and plants. Their business model bridges the gap between raw landscape material supply and retail plant nursery operations, positioning themselves as a one-stop destination for outdoor living and landscaping needs in their service area.

📍3640 NC-56, Franklinton, NC 27525, USA
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Green Hill Farm Inc
💬 14 reviews4.4
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Green Hill Farm Inc

Specialty Hosta Nursery. Top products: Hosta plants, Bare root hostas, Spring liners, Miniature hostas. Green Hill Farm Inc. is a specialized nursery located in Franklinton, North Carolina, with a primary focus on the cultivation and sale of hostas. Operating as both a retail and wholesale supplier, the nursery provides a vast selection of hosta varieties, including rare and patented cultivars such as 'First Blush' and 'Lemon Snap'. Their business model revolves around seasonal nursery operations, including onsite events like 'Make a Hosta Container' workshops and periodic deep-discount sales. The farm serves both retail hobbyist gardeners and wholesale clients, offering specific inventory lists for bare root stock and spring liners. Their commitment to horticultural education and public engagement is reflected in their hosting of seasonal festivals and community potting days, positioning them as a premier destination for hosta enthusiasts and professional landscapers seeking specialized perennial plant stock.

📍66 Codys Way, Franklinton, NC 27525, USA
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Sycamore Creek Nursery
💬 5 reviews5
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Sycamore Creek Nursery

📍NC 561, Oswego, North Carolina, 27844, US
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Perkins' Landscaping & Irrigation
💬 1 reviews5
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Perkins' Landscaping & Irrigation

Design-Build Ornamental Plant Nursery. Top products: Ornamental plants, Shrubs, Landscape plantings. Perkins' Nursery Group (PNG) is a long-standing design-build nursery and landscape contracting firm established in 1968. Operating in Wake County, North Carolina, the business functions as both a retail nursery for the general public and a wholesale supplier for NCLCLB licensed landscape contractors and certified nurseries. Their operations span from plant propagation and containerized ornamental plant production to comprehensive landscape design, installation, and ongoing maintenance. As a 'Got To Be NC' member, the company focuses on providing turn-key landscaping services primarily to residential clients, with occasional commercial projects. The organization is managed by experienced personnel with a focus on hands-on horticultural expertise, emphasizing long-term customer relationships and professional, creative landscape planning and execution. They hold valid state licenses for both landscaping and irrigation contracting.

📍Concord Church Road, Covington, North Carolina, US
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Local Nursery Scene in Wake Forest

Wake Forest and the surrounding North Carolina regions benefit from a diverse network of horticultural suppliers. Currently, nine primary nurseries and garden centers serve this area, offering everything from rare, specialty perennials to bulk landscape supplies. These businesses range from long-standing greenhouse operations established in the early 1980s to specialized farms focusing on specific cultivars like Hostas. For local gardeners, this variety provides access to plants specifically acclimated to the USDA Zone 7b climate, which is characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters. Relying on local nurseries rather than large national chains often ensures higher plant survival rates because these businesses prioritize stock grown within the region.

Comparison of Top Nurseries

Nursery NameRatingSpecializationType
Chris' Greenhouse & Garden Center4.8Full-service retailGarden Center
The Flower Shack4.9Ornamental and FruitNursery
Hamm's Greenhouse4.7General plant stockNursery
HerbFest4.6Heirloom herbsSeasonal/Event
Herakovich Farms5.0General plant stockNursery
Bullock's Nursery & Landscape Supply4.9Landscape/Bulk materialLandscape Supply
Green Hill Farm Inc4.4Hosta specialtySpecialty Nursery
Sycamore Creek Nursery5.0General plant stockNursery
Perkins' Landscaping & Irrigation5.0Design-Build/OrnamentalDesign-Build Nursery

Deep Dive into Nurseries

  • Chris' Greenhouse & Garden Center: Established in 1981, this facility provides a comprehensive mix of annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs. They also stock hardscape materials like stone, mulch, and decorative pottery, acting as a one-stop retail hub.
  • The Flower Shack: This nursery focuses on ornamental quality, featuring David Austin Roses, Japanese Maples, and hydrangeas. They cater to gardeners looking for both beauty and utility by stocking fruit trees and berry bushes suited for the local NC climate.
  • Hamm's Greenhouse: Operating as a general nursery, this site provides standard horticultural stock for the local gardening community. It is a reliable destination for seasonal plant needs in the Wake Forest area.
  • HerbFest: This organization functions as both a seasonal event and a supplier of non-GMO, heirloom herb and vegetable starts. Their mission supports sustainable gardening and local biodiversity through ecologically responsible plant distribution.
  • Herakovich Farms: As a dedicated plant nursery, this establishment provides a variety of nursery-grown stock. Its focus is on healthy plant production for local residential landscapes.
  • Bullock's Nursery & Landscape Supply: This business bridges the gap between raw material supply and plant retail by offering three on-site greenhouses. They are highly functional for contractors and homeowners needing both bulk soil or mulch and living plant material delivered directly.
  • Green Hill Farm Inc: This specialized nursery in Franklinton focuses almost exclusively on Hosta cultivation. They serve both wholesale and retail clients with rare and patented cultivars, hosting community workshops to promote Hosta gardening.
  • Sycamore Creek Nursery: A highly-rated nursery offering a wide range of general plants. They serve the regional demand for quality landscape stock and ornamental shrubbery.
  • Perkins' Landscaping & Irrigation: Operating since 1968, this firm provides a professional design-build approach to landscaping. They combine ornamental plant propagation with irrigation services to offer turnkey solutions for residential properties.

Buying Guide for NC Gardeners

  • Climate Alignment: Wake Forest is in USDA Zone 7b. Choose plants labeled as native to North Carolina, as they are naturally drought-tolerant and better equipped to handle local soil conditions.
  • Inspect for Health: When selecting perennials or shrubs, check the underside of leaves for pests and ensure the root system is not pot-bound. A healthy plant will have robust, moist soil and vigorous growth rather than yellowing or withered leaves.
  • Seasonal Timing: Fall is often the best time to plant trees and shrubs in North Carolina, allowing them to establish roots during the cooler months before the intense summer heat sets in.
  • Support Local Growers: Purchasing from nurseries that source plants locally ensures that the genetics of the plant are adapted to local humidity and pest pressures, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
  • Soil Preparation: Before planting, amend your native soil with organic matter like compost. Local garden centers often provide specific blends for the clay-heavy soils common throughout Wake and Franklin counties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best time of year to plant in Wake Forest, NC?

A: For trees, shrubs, and perennials, the autumn months—specifically September through November—are ideal. The cooling temperatures and increased rainfall allow plants to establish strong root systems before the heat of the next summer. For vegetable starts and warm-season annuals, wait until the danger of frost has passed, typically after mid-April.

Q: Why should I choose a local nursery over a big-box store?

A: Local nurseries in North Carolina prioritize plant stock grown in our specific climate, which leads to higher survival rates. They offer specialized, heirloom, or native varieties that are rarely stocked by national chains. Additionally, you receive expert advice from staff who understand the specific soil and pest challenges found right here in Wake Forest and surrounding counties.

Q: What soil amendments are necessary for Wake Forest gardens?

A: Most of the Wake Forest area features heavy clay soil that can restrict root growth and trap moisture. To improve this, integrate organic matter such as compost or aged manure. This improves drainage, aeration, and nutrient retention, creating a healthier environment for your plants to thrive throughout the growing season.

Q: What does USDA Zone 7b mean for my plant choices?

A: USDA Zone 7b indicates the average annual minimum winter temperature ranges between 5 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit. This classification helps gardeners determine which plants can survive the winter outdoors without special protection. Always check plant tags to ensure they are rated for Zone 7 to prevent cold-weather loss during winter snaps.

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

A: A retail garden center is designed for the public, offering a wide array of plants, tools, and decorative accessories for homeowners. A wholesale nursery primarily serves professional landscape contractors and other retail businesses, often selling in bulk quantities. Some businesses, like those in Wake Forest, effectively operate as hybrids to serve both local homeowners and professional installers.

⭐ 4.8 average rating across 9 verified nurseries in Wake Forest

The most popular reviews:

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dave gourley5 days ago

I ordered driveway gravel. Josh came out, gave me a good quote, and arrived with everything at our appointment time. They got it down, smoothed out, killed my weeds and the neighbors keep giving us compliments. Thanks, Josh!

Bullock's Nursery & Landscape Supply
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Rita “Reets” Smitha week ago

Everything that I’ve bought here has been of great quality and priced right. Wonderful selection of flowers, shrubs and trees. You want something that’s not here just ask if she can get it. It’s a fun experience for me each time I’m there. Such a knowledgeable owner who loves what she does and sells.

The Flower Shack
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Brandy Allena month ago

Chris’ Greenhouse is a great place to find interesting garden themed decorations and annuals. They also had a cool selection of succulents and house plants.

Chris' Greenhouse & Garden Center
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Dot A Wiggins2 months ago

I was super surprised how busy it was at 9 Am! Amazing selection of plants, natural products and handmade item vendors. I love the location (in the old Holden Oil yard). It is going to be a beautiful weekend!

HerbFest
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Judy CollinsEdited 11 months ago

Hosta what more can I say! Yearly they have a sale and everything is $15.00. If you ever go you will never buy a hosta anywhere else. If you call ahead they will sent you up wit a tour

Green Hill Farm Inc