My Favorite "Haunts" to Purchase Plant Material

If you’ve been gardening for a long period of time, you already have a list of the best places to get annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, natives and tropical plants. If you’re new to the West Country area, or if you’ve just begun to delve into gardening, I’d love to share my list of my favorite “plant haunts.” Grab a gardening friend and find some new spots to explore!

I've linked the name of each nursery to its website, so simply click on the name of you need more information.

AHNER’S- Ahners is on Manchester Road in Des Peres.  They have the largest selection of orchids and orchid supplies in West County.  If you love orchids, you already know about Ahner’s.   As soon as spring arrives, I’m off to Ahner’s; they get pansies earlier than any nursery I know of.  A few weeks later, all the other annuals arrive.  They’ve got a great selection beginning with begonias and ending with zinnias.  You’ll find beautiful hanging baskets and tropical plants as well.  In the fall you’ll find tons of bulbs, kale and mums.  Around the holidays you’ll find amaryllis, paperwhites and poinsettias.  They have an array of Christmas ornaments as well.  If you’re looking for a gift, the gift shop has a multitude to choose from.  I forgot to mention that they have an enormous selection of containers as well- terracotta, ceramic and plastic.  Enough said!

BALLWIN NURSERY- This is a family owned nursery that has exceptional trees and shrubs.  If they don’t have what you need, they are more than willing to scout it down and do everything in their power to get it for you.  They are on Manchester Road, just west of Elco Chevrolet. In addition to some great trees and shrubs, you’ll find a large selection of tropical plants, great for adding to a container.  Hibiscus, gardenias and Mandavilla are in stock all summer long at Ballwin Nursery.  Many years ago when I had to sod and seed my yard, the folks at Ballwin Nursery suggested the right seed mix and had the freshest sod in stock.  You’ll also find lots of river rock, flagstone, birdbaths and statuary at Ballwin Nursery. 

CHESTERFIELD NURSERY- I was directed to Chesterfield Nursery when I needed a large amount of trees and shrubs, including some boxwood topiaries.  I ordered the plant material online and was thrilled with the quality of trees and shrubs.  The boxwood topiaries were just stunning and the two standard ‘Tardiva’ Hydrangas were a perfect match.  If you need large trees, or a really special tree, Chesterfield Nursery in Chesterfield Valley is the place to go. Mulch, compost and other amendments are in stock as well.   They are on  North Outer 40 Drive. 

DAUSTER’S- One of the reasons I love Dauster’s is that they have fabulous plant material all summer long.  If you’re having a party in July and need some new annuals or perennials to spruce up your garden, they have it here.  Annuals, perennials, herbs, hanging baskets and containers- they’re all fresh and healthy.  They don’t do everything; they just do great plants, all the time.  Dauster’s is on Creve Coeur Mill Road. (no current website)

GREENSCAPE GARDENS- Another family-owned nursery, located on Barrett Station Road at Dougherty Ferry Road, Greenscape has a large selection of native plants.  The “Grow Native” plants in the bright purple pots are easy to find.  You’ll also find a large selection of perennials, grasses, trees and shrubs as well.  In the fall, they have hundreds and hundreds of mums. 

SHERWOOD FOREST- Sherwood Forest is just south of  Weithops on Barrett Station Road.  Known for unusual trees, it is the place to go if you’re looking for that “statement” tree.  You’ll find topiaries in many different shapes, even a deer and her fawn.  In mid-summer they have a huge 50% off all perennials sale. 

SUMMER WINDS- Summer Winds is located in Clarkson Valley on Clarkson Road, just north of Manchester.  They have it all; trees, shrubs, tropicals, annuals, statuary, birding supplies, fertilizer, garden-themed gifts and so much more.  It really is one-stop-shopping.  The sales staff is extremely knowledgeable and there is always someone within reach to help you drag that beautiful hydrangea to the cash register.  On certain weekends, they offer informative classes on various gardening topics. 

THIES FARM- Thies Farm is on Creve Coeur Mill Road, a mile or so north of Dauster’s.   I started going to Thies for the fresh produce.  They grow their own fruits and vegetables from summer to fall.  Their blackberries, tomatoes and white corn are what I buy in the summer.  Their annuals, perennials, kale and mums are what I buy during planting season.  In spring, you can find some new, unusual annuals.   This year I found the new ‘Blush’ Euphorbia.  I also found some stunning salvias and hot pink zinnias.  Check them out in late spring and early summer for their plants- you’ll be coming back all summer long for their produce! 

WIETHOPS- Wiethops is on Barrett Station Road, just south of Manchester Road.  They open in early April for annuals, perennials hanging baskets, containers and more.  When everything is sold, usually in mid to late June, they close.  They open again in early September for mums, kale and fall annuals.  They generally close again in mid-October when all the plant material is sold.  They open again early December for a huge selection of poinsettias (available in every possible color!) and holiday décor.  Wiethops is my favorite place to shop for herbs and small perennials.  They are only $2 each and in great abundance when the doors open in spring.  I suggest the Lavender ‘Hidcote’ as a great variety for St. Louis.  I purchased 24 plants 5 years ago to ring my herb bed and only lose 1 or 2 plants per year.  It blooms like crazy and is only $2 a pop! 

I’d be remiss if I didn’t offer another great place to purchase plants-plant sales run by volunteers.  The Flora Conservancy in Forest Park has a sale each spring of plant material grown in their greenhouse.  All the profits go back into beautifying Forest Park.  The St. Louis Master Gardeners have a sale in May at the South County Greenhouse; Mason Ridge Garden Club has a sale mid-May at Longview Farm Park with profits benefitting the gardens in the park.  Plants purchased at these sales are lovingly tended by volunteers and a great way to get introduced to plants proven to do well in our climate.