Plant Nurseries & Garden Centers in Wisconsin
Explore 222 local plant nurseries across 52 cities.
Top Rated Farms in WI
Collective Plant Co
Indoor Houseplant Specialty Retailer. Top products: Moss Ball Terrariums, Houseplants (Pothos, Snake Plants, Ferns, Philodendrons), Plant Care Supplies (Fertilizer, Soil, Pest Control), Air Plants. Collective Plant Co. is a specialized plant retailer based in Brown County, Wisconsin, operating primarily as an in-person and mobile plant shop. The business focuses on the retail of indoor houseplants, with a particular emphasis on low-maintenance foliage, air-purifying varieties, and decorative terrariums. Their plant inventory includes popular indoor staples such as Sansevieria (Snake Plants), Philodendrons, Ferns, and Begonias. Beyond live plants, the company offers a curated selection of horticultural supplies, including specialized potting soil mixes, organic fertilizer powders, and proprietary plant care products such as 'Say No To Bugs' pest protection and leaf shine treatments. Their business model serves local homeowners and indoor gardening enthusiasts, emphasizing convenience and accessibility through a mobile shop format and local pickup services. By providing both the greenery and the necessary maintenance products, they cater to the needs of indoor plant hobbyists.
Hillview Urban Agriculture Center
Heirloom vegetable seedling nursery. Top products: Heirloom food seedlings, Organic produce, Compost/Soil products. Hillview Urban Agriculture Center (HUAC) is a specialized horticultural operation located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, housed within a state-of-the-art greenhouse facility on the Western Technical College campus. Founded on a legacy of over a century of greenhouse cultivation, the center operates as a community-focused urban farm dedicated to sustainable food systems. Their primary horticultural output consists of growing organic and heirloom food seedlings, which are supplied to community gardens, school gardens, and the general public. Beyond seedling production, the center actively cultivates organic produce for program participants and commercial buyers, including the Mayo Clinic Health System. The center serves as an educational hub, providing hands-on instruction in cultivation, food preservation, and vermicomposting to diverse demographic groups, including low-income families, elderly citizens, and individuals of all abilities. The operation emphasizes organic techniques and community engagement as its core methodology.
LLeaves Inspired Tree Nursery
Wholesale Deciduous Tree Nursery. Top products: deciduous shade trees, ornamental trees, ball and burlap trees, bareroot trees. Leaves Inspired Tree Nursery is a specialized horticultural operation established in 2012, primarily focused on the production and distribution of high-quality deciduous shade and ornamental trees. The nursery employs professional field-growing techniques, offering trees in both ball and burlap (B&B) and bareroot formats to accommodate various planting requirements. Their inventory includes ball and burlap specimens ranging from 18 to 36 inches, catering to specific size requirements for landscaping projects. By offering bareroot options, they provide a cost-effective solution for direct ground planting. As a wholesale-oriented nursery, the business serves professional landscapers, property developers, and potentially commercial entities looking for mature nursery stock. Their operation is defined by a commitment to standard nursery practices, emphasizing the development of healthy, structurally sound trees ready for transplantation in diverse environmental settings.
Schulz's Greenhouse
Shady Oaks Gardens
Annes Greenhouse
Bellbrook Berry Farm
Specialty Berry Plant Nursery. Top products: Viking Aronia plants, Black currant bushes, Elderberry plants. Bellbrook Berry Farm operates as a specialized horticultural nursery focused on the propagation and sale of nutrient-dense berry-producing plants. Their primary inventory centers on Aronia (chokeberry), black currants, and elderberries, catering to both retail gardeners and wholesale buyers. The business emphasizes sustainable growing practices and horticultural education, positioning itself as an expert resource for the cultivation of 'superberry' crops. Beyond selling plant starts, they provide technical information regarding the maintenance and harvest of these specific woody perennials. Their mission is rooted in promoting the agricultural viability of specialty berry crops, with their expertise being recognized in industry publications such as Acres USA. They serve a diverse clientele ranging from home gardeners interested in permaculture and edible landscaping to larger-scale wholesale growers seeking specific, high-yield berry cultivars.
DDomann's Plants
Retail Ornamental and Vegetable Nursery. Top products: Flower varieties, Vegetable starts, Tomato plants, Succulents, Herb plants. Domann's Plants is a regional horticultural business focused on providing a diverse range of ornamental flowers, vegetable starts, and specialty plants to home gardeners. Based in Wisconsin, they operate through a network of local farmers' markets and community centers, including locations in Madison, Jefferson, Watertown, and Beaver Dam. Their product lineup includes over 20 varieties of flowers, a selection of garden vegetables such as cabbage, cucumbers, and peppers, and a specialized tomato program featuring 3-inch and 4.5-inch plantings, including their signature 'milk jug' tomato starts. In addition to seasonal edible and flowering plants, the nursery offers a collection of low-maintenance succulents and culinary herbs. The business emphasizes accessible, quality plant starts for domestic gardens and operates on a seasonal schedule, primarily serving the spring and summer planting seasons through a mix of onsite market sales and convenient local order pickups.
Genesee Nursery & Landscaping
Ornamental and Fruit Plant Nursery. Top products: Evergreen trees, Deciduous trees, Fruit trees, Deciduous shrubs, Perennials. Genesee Nursery & Landscaping is a family-owned and operated horticultural business established in 1988, located in the town of Genesee, Wisconsin. The operation functions as both a nursery and a professional landscape service provider. They maintain a facility on Sunset Drive where they cultivate and stock a diverse inventory of plant material, including potted and balled & burlapped trees, ornamental shrubs, and a variety of perennials. Their horticultural selection ranges from evergreen and deciduous trees to crabapples, fruit trees, and ornamental grasses. The nursery caters to a diverse client base, serving both individual homeowners through landscape design and installation consultations, as well as providing wholesale pricing structures for professional landscape contractors. Their business model integrates the sale of physical nursery stock with professional site planning and installation services, focusing on providing regionally appropriate plant materials for residential and commercial landscapes.
Kopke's Greenhouse - Stoughton (May-June)
Collective Plant Co.
Indoor Houseplant Specialty Retailer. Top products: Moss Ball Terrariums, Snake Plants, Philodendrons, Ferns, Plant Care Supplies. Collective Plant Co. operates as a specialized indoor plant retailer serving Brown County, Wisconsin. The business focuses on the curation and sale of houseplants, terrariums, and botanical accessories. Their inventory includes a diverse range of popular indoor plant varieties, such as Sansevieria (Snake Plants), Philodendrons, Ferns, Begonias, and various Air Plants. In addition to live plant stock, they provide essential horticultural supplies, including proprietary potting soil mixes, organic fertilizers, and plant care treatments like leaf shine and pest control solutions. Operating with a business model centered on local pick-up and mobile shop services, they cater primarily to residential customers looking to enhance interior spaces with greenery. The company places a strong emphasis on low-maintenance, air-purifying varieties, positioning their products as accessible options for home plant enthusiasts and indoor gardeners.
Custom Grown Greenhouses
Retail Annual and Container Nursery. Top products: hanging baskets, potted annuals, watering can planters, seasonal containers. Custom Grown Greenhouses is a retail horticultural business located in St. Francis, Wisconsin, specializing in the production and sale of seasonal ornamental plants and decorative containers. Operating out of a permanent greenhouse facility, the business is recognized for its long-standing presence in the local community, supported by a veteran staff with over two decades of tenure. Their primary horticultural focus is the production of high-quality, long-lasting hanging baskets designed to thrive throughout the growing season. Beyond standard floral offerings, the nursery distinguishes itself through a rotating selection of innovative plant varieties and unique decorative hardware, specifically their signature 'watering can planters' and specialized colorful containers. Serving primarily residential customers and local gardeners, the greenhouse emphasizes personalized customer service and seasonal plant expertise. The company operates as a destination retail location, maintaining consistent hours throughout the growing season to provide professional-grade annuals and container arrangements to the surrounding Milwaukee area.
Kletzien Nursery Inc
Full-service garden center nursery. Top products: annuals, trees, evergreens, landscaping design. Kletzien Nursery Inc., established in 1990 by Shane and Nancy Kletzien, is a family-owned and operated horticultural business serving the Port Washington, Saukville, Grafton, Cedarburg, Mequon, West Bend, and Sheboygan areas of Wisconsin. With over 30 years of industry experience, the company operates as both a retail nursery and a professional landscape design and installation service. Their horticultural focus encompasses a wide selection of plant materials, including annuals, shade trees, and evergreens, produced with a focus on quality and industry-leading standards. The nursery serves a diverse clientele of homeowners looking to improve their outdoor spaces. Beyond the sale of plant stock, the business integrates 3D landscape design, installation, and ongoing property maintenance services. The operation has grown from a home-based start-up into a multi-generational business that emphasizes personalized service, long-term yard development, and a deep-rooted passion for professional plant cultivation and landscaping excellence.
Lucky Bird Natives LLC
Native plant specialty nursery. Top products: Anise hyssop, Aromatic aster, Big bluestem, Black-eyed Susan, Blue vervain, Blue wild indigo, Bottlebrush grass, Brown fox sedge. Lucky Bird Natives LLC is a Stevens Point, Wisconsin-based nursery dedicated to the cultivation and sale of native plant species. The business focuses on promoting ecological restoration and local habitat creation by providing a diverse selection of native perennials, grasses, and wildflowers. Their inventory includes species such as Agastache foeniculum, Symphyotrichum oblongifolium, and Andropogon gerardii, catering primarily to gardeners, landscapers, and conservation-minded homeowners looking to incorporate local flora into their landscapes. Lucky Bird Natives operates through an online ordering system with local pickup options in Stevens Point and actively participates in regional horticultural events, such as the Portage County Master Gardeners' Garden Parade. Their mission centers on restoring the natural landscape of Wisconsin by making indigenous plant material accessible to the local community, supporting biodiversity through sustainable horticultural practices.
Turtle Creek Nursery
Wholesale ornamental tree nursery. Top products: evergreen trees, ornamental trees, shade trees, shrub varieties. Turtle Creek Nursery is a family-owned and operated wholesale horticultural operation based in the Midwest. Spanning a 200-acre production site, the nursery specializes in the cultivation of a diverse range of plant material intended for landscape applications nationwide. Their core offerings consist of a broad selection of evergreens, ornamental trees, shade trees, and various shrub species. As a professional grower, the business focuses on high-quality production standards to supply landscapers, garden centers, and large-scale project developers. They operate primarily as a wholesale provider, emphasizing large-scale cultivation and meticulous plant maintenance to ensure the health and aesthetic appeal of their stock. The business maintains an invitation-based model for trade partners to visit their production grounds, facilitating direct engagement with their growing processes and current inventory. Their mission centers on providing robust, hardy plant material suitable for regional and national landscape environments.
AAgroArbor LLC
Perennial Nursery and Farm. Top products: Perennial trees and shrubs, Pasture-raised eggs, Nuts, fruits, and berries. AgroArbor LLC is a regenerative agriculture operation established in 2013 that functions as both a producer of farm-fresh food products and a nursery specializing in perennial trees and shrubs. The business is rooted in a mission to promote sustainable land management, focusing on plants that offer positive ecological impacts. While the company maintains a strong retail focus on pasture-raised poultry products—including chicken, duck, and goose eggs—they explicitly identify as nurserymen dedicated to providing high-quality perennial plant stock for like-minded individuals interested in sustainable agriculture. Their operations reflect a commitment to ethical, holistic farming practices, serving local customers with a focus on ecological health, food security, and long-term land stewardship. The nursery aspect of their business targets individuals seeking to cultivate productive, perennial-focused landscapes, distinguishing them from standard produce-only farms.
AnnMarie's SiteScaping
Online Ornamental Nursery Retailer. Top products: Flowering shrubs, Ornamental grasses, Perennials, Fruit trees, Privacy trees. McKay Nursery is an established horticultural operation with over 125 years of experience, operating a 1,600-acre farm in Waterloo, Wisconsin. As a significant player in the online plant retail market, the business specializes in cultivating and shipping a wide variety of outdoor plants, including flowering shrubs, ornamental grasses, perennials, and fruit trees. Their business model centers on direct-to-consumer sales, utilizing specialized shipping techniques to deliver live nursery stock safely to customers across the country. They serve a diverse customer base ranging from residential gardeners looking to enhance landscape aesthetics—such as butterfly, shade, and deer-resistant gardens—to those seeking edible additions like honeyberries. The company emphasizes a hands-on approach to plant cultivation, ensuring that stock is adapted to various growing zones and sun exposures. McKay Nursery distinguishes itself through a comprehensive plant warranty and a focus on high-quality, field-grown horticultural expertise.
BGC Growers
Wholesale Greenhouse and Nursery. Top products: Annuals, Houseplants, Herbs and vegetables, Poinsettias, Hanging baskets. BGC Growers, formerly known as Stange’s Greenhouse, is a prominent wholesale horticultural operation located near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Spanning 96,000 square feet across 28 climate-controlled greenhouses, the business focuses on the year-round production of premium plant materials. Their product line includes a vast array of potted annuals, hanging baskets, herbs, vegetables, and a diverse collection of houseplants, including succulents and exotic varieties. The company serves a professional client base throughout Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, including independent garden centers, florists, landscapers, restaurants, and designers. Beyond standard inventory, BGC Growers offers custom plant growing services tailored to specific client needs and project timelines. They also support local organizations through plant-based fundraising programs. By maintaining rigorous growing standards in their controlled environment, they ensure the consistency and quality of their plant stock for professional resale and commercial landscaping applications.
Dragonfly Greenhouse
Annuals and Greenhouse Specialty. Top products: Hanging baskets, Annual bedding plants, Succulents, Designer pots, Uncommon houseplants. Dragonfly Greenhouse, located in De Pere, Wisconsin, is a seasonal horticultural retailer specializing in the cultivation and sale of high-quality annuals, ornamental plants, and container arrangements. The business focuses on providing customers with lush, healthy plant stock, including a diverse selection of hanging baskets, succulents, and unique, uncommon plant varieties. Operating on a seasonal basis from late April through the end of June, the greenhouse serves as a destination for local homeowners looking to enhance their gardens and interior spaces. Beyond plant sales, the business provides expert horticultural advice and care instructions to ensure long-term plant viability for their customers. The operation is defined by its personal, customer-centric approach, emphasizing direct communication and professional guidance. By offering a curated selection of designer pots and living inventory, Dragonfly Greenhouse caters to gardening enthusiasts who prioritize aesthetic appeal and variety in their seasonal plant displays.
Eric's Prairie
Native Wisconsin Perennial Nursery. Top products: Lead Plant, Red Columbine, Showy Milkweed, White Wild Indigo, Prairie Smoke, Common Ironweed. Eric's Prairie is a specialized horticultural supplier focused on the cultivation and distribution of native plant species indigenous to Wisconsin. Operating as a niche nursery, the business serves the regional gardening community by providing locally adapted perennial plants that support biodiversity and native habitats. Their core product line includes a variety of prairie-adapted wildflowers, such as Lead Plant (Amorpha canescens), Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa), White Wild Indigo (Baptisia alba), Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum), and Common Ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata). The nursery emphasizes the ecological importance of these species, catering primarily to homeowners, native plant enthusiasts, and gardeners looking to integrate sustainable, drought-tolerant, and pollinator-friendly landscapes. By focusing on specific regional native varieties, Eric's Prairie bridges the gap between wild prairie ecosystems and domestic garden applications.
Browse by City
The Nursery & Garden Center Market in Wisconsin
Wisconsin supports a robust horticultural sector with 236 verified nurseries serving a diverse range of climate needs. The industry is characterized by a mix of long-standing, family-owned garden centers and specialized production nurseries. Consumers in the state have access to high-quality plant stock, ranging from hardy perennials to specialized bulb suppliers like Holland Bulb Farms and Tulip World. Data shows that the market is highly concentrated, with activity anchored by strong regional demand from homeowners and commercial landscapers looking for species acclimated to the Upper Midwest. The overall market health is strong, evidenced by high ratings for institutions such as Chief River Nursery and Ebert’s Greenhouse Village, where customer satisfaction scores frequently hit 4.9. This stability suggests a sophisticated customer base that prioritizes quality and local expertise over big-box convenience.
Top Cities for Nurseries & Garden Centers
The distribution of nurseries and garden centers across Wisconsin is not uniform; it follows economic density and population centers. Fitchburg leads the list with 13 nurseries, functioning as a primary hub. This concentration is likely driven by its proximity to the Madison market and available agricultural zoning that allows for large-scale greenhouse and field production operations. Green Bay, Madison, River Falls, and Milwaukee follow, each hosting 11 verified nurseries. These cities serve as essential supply nodes for their respective regions. Smaller but significant hubs like Mequon (10 nurseries) and Superior (7 nurseries) demonstrate the decentralized nature of the supply chain, which ensures that gardeners in northern and coastal areas have access to locally adapted nursery stock. The prevalence of nurseries in Muskego and Oconomowoc highlights that residential growth in these suburban corridors is directly supporting the expansion of the garden center retail market.
Wisconsin Climate & Plant Selection
Wisconsin’s climate is the primary architect of its nursery inventory. Spanning USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 5, the state experiences significant temperature fluctuations, including frigid winters and humid, temperate summers. Nurseries here must specialize in cold-hardy stock. This has led to a focus on native species like Bur Oak, Purple Coneflower, and various cultivars of native grasses that are genetically programmed to withstand deep freezes. Soil types across the state vary widely, from the fertile, well-draining silt loams of the south to the heavier, clay-rich soils near the Great Lakes. Local garden centers and nurseries play a critical role here by providing soil amendments and diagnostic services to help gardeners manage these diverse textures. Rainfall patterns, while generally sufficient, can be erratic in late summer, driving a market demand for drought-tolerant perennials and shrubs. Nurseries have pivoted toward 'acclimated production'—growing plants in local conditions rather than importing them from milder climates—which significantly increases the survival rate of the stock sold at venues like Klein’s Floral and Greenhouses or Kopke’s Greenhouse.
Sourcing Plants Locally in WI
Finding the right plant for your landscape requires vetting local suppliers. To ensure you are buying high-quality, regionally adapted stock, consider the following strategies:
- Check for Local Propagation: Prioritize garden centers that produce their own stock on-site, such as the operations at Fitchburg Farms or Kellner Greenhouse. Plants grown in Wisconsin’s climate are naturally more resilient than those shipped from warmer southern states.
- Consult Nursery Ratings: Utilize customer feedback to identify consistent providers. High ratings for establishments like Chief River Nursery often reflect a superior understanding of local hardiness zone requirements.
- Inquire About Soil and Hardiness Compatibility: When visiting a garden center, ask specifically if their perennials are native to Wisconsin or if they are cultivars developed for the specific USDA zone of your planting site.
- Seasonal Timing: Respect the local planting window. Nurseries in Wisconsin, such as Minor’s Garden Center, Inc., operate based on the regional frost dates. Purchasing during these windows ensures your plants get established before the ground freezes.
- Diversify Your Sourcing: Use large, full-service garden centers for heavy structural trees and shrubs, but look for specialized greenhouses for seasonal color and bulb collections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the best planting times for Wisconsin gardens?
A: In Wisconsin, the safest window for planting most nursery stock is between mid-May and early June, after the danger of the final frost has passed. For fall planting, aim for early September to mid-October. This allows root systems to establish in the cooling soil before the ground freezes hard, ensuring better winter survival rates for perennials and woody shrubs.
Q: Why is buying native plants important in Wisconsin?
A: Native plants are evolutionarily adapted to Wisconsin’s specific rainfall patterns, soil compositions, and extreme temperature swings. They require fewer fertilizers and pesticides, promote local biodiversity, and are significantly more likely to survive severe winters compared to non-native cultivars. Local nurseries prioritize these species because they provide essential habitat for local pollinators, which are vital for the health of the entire regional ecosystem.
Q: How do I deal with Wisconsin’s clay-heavy soil?
A: Wisconsin soil often has high clay content, which holds water and can lead to root rot. To improve drainage, incorporate organic matter such as compost or aged leaf mulch into the top 6-8 inches of soil before planting. Many local garden centers offer specific soil amendments tailored to the local dirt profile. Always conduct a soil test to determine the exact pH level before adding large amounts of lime or sulfur.
Q: What are the main climate challenges for Wisconsin gardeners?
A: The primary challenges are the extreme winter temperatures and the potential for frost heaving. Heaving occurs when the ground repeatedly freezes and thaws, pushing shallow-rooted plants out of the soil. Additionally, high winds and variable precipitation can stress plants. Choosing nursery-grown stock that is specifically categorized as hardy for your precise USDA zone is the best defense against these unpredictable environmental factors.
Q: Are Wisconsin-grown plants superior to imported ones?
A: Yes, plants grown in Wisconsin nurseries are generally superior because they are raised in the same climate they will eventually inhabit. This 'acclimation' process ensures that the plant is accustomed to the state’s light intensity, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. Importing plants from nurseries in warmer climates often results in 'transplant shock' and a lower survival rate, whereas local nursery stock arrives ready for the Wisconsin growing season.
