If holiday shopping is on your mind, check out these local garden and plant stores for inspiration.
For the plant lovers on your holiday shopping list, there are delightful garden and plant shops in our area that offer specialty plant breeds, funky and locally crafted yard décor, and all kinds of supplies for gardening needs.
Kenny’s Place Nursery is a unique destination because it supports a program for disabled adults.
The mission statement reads: “To create a positive, caring and accepting environment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Kenny’s Place serves the intellectually disabled adults of Marion County. We offer our members various skills training in horticulture, laundry, cooking, arts and crafts.”
Kenny’s Place doesn’t charge members a fee and the educational services are offered free of charge. Nursery sales help support the programs and provide vocational training.
The nursery offers landscape plants, houseplants, annuals and perennials in a charming, rustic-feeling shop.
Open 8am to 4pm Monday-Saturday at 7677 SE 41st Court, Ocala. Call (352) 867-1213 or go to kennysplacemarion.com
Tower Hill Nursery was started mid-COVID-19 in 2021 and bills itself as “Ocala’s Hometown Nursery.”
Owner Ryan Mims has years of experience in landscaping and the shop boasts vegetables, flowers, landscape plants and trees.
The nursery offers full-service landscape design and installation, including hardscapes like pavers, ponds and waterfalls. Hometown service combined with expertise will get your project off to a solid start.
Wander the 15 acres of plants and get inspired.
Open 9 am to 3pm Thursday-Saturday at 1712 NE 36th Ave., Ocala. Call (352) 216-4263 or find them at FB.com/towerhillnurseryocala
Yard Stop calls itself the “lawn and garden superstore” and it’s one of the larger shops in the area, with a full-service landscape operation in addition to a good selection of plant materials.
The venue offers bulk mulch, compost and stones. A covered pavilion has a selection of annuals, perennials and shrubs, along with pots, statues, fountains, flags and more yard décor. They also serve professional landscapers and sell a wide variety of yard care equipment.
Open 7am to 5pm Monday-Friday and 8am to 4pm Saturday at 4160 State Road 40, Ocala. Call (352) 368-1005 or visit yardstopinc.com
Bob Wines Camellia Gardens & Nursery is a specialty garden store that has expanded beyond camellias to offer more general landscape offerings, such as trees, shrubs, houseplants and annuals. A covered greenhouse holds the more tropical houseplants and yard décor items.
Located in a residential area, the family’s former home is on the property. With five acres of plant choices, and a family history of camellia cultivation, the nursery offers personal service and advice and offers weekly specials.
Open 9am to 4pm Monday-Friday and 9am to 3pm Saturday at 2610 SE 38th St., Ocala. Call (352) 629-5766 of go to bobwinescamelliagardens.net
McGovern’s Landscape Nursery is owned by fifth-generation Marion County residents with the experience to help you with our sometimes challenging environment. (Where else can it be 75 degrees in the afternoon and 28 at night?)
The nursery offers annuals, perennials, fruit trees, landscape shrubs and trees, along with design and installation services. They also create their own potting soil and sell worm castings.
Open 8am to 4pm Tuesday-Saturday at 7315 North Highway 441, Ocala. Call (352) 342-3804 or visit mlnursery.com
Grumbles House Antiques & Garden Shop is a boutique and garden shop and that combination, plus its funky building in the heart of Dunnellon, makes it a destination.
The boutique offers handcrafted wares by local artists, including jewelry, clothing, home décor, lighting, furniture and consignment items.
The garden shop offers plants and yard décor, including fountains, birdbaths and gnomes.
The venue, at 20799 Walnut St., Dunnellon. hosts monthly workshops with Master Gardeners, plus Maker’s Market days with artist vendors, entertainment and food.
Nursery hours are 10am to 5pm Monday-Saturday and 11am-3pm Sunday. The boutique is open 11am to 5pm Monday-Saturday and 11am-3pm Sunday. Learn more at dunnellonfloridaantiques.com
The Peacock Cottage is one of the county’s premier plant stores and owners Laura and Frank Perdomo offer a wealth of knowledge and expertise, along with a diverse selection of houseplants such as ferns, orchids and air plants, and local art.
The store specializes in African violets and sells Dandy Pots, the unique (and necessary) watering system that avoids wetting the plant’s leaves.
The cottage also offers a variety of houseplants, pots, garden décor, fairy gardens and more.
Open 11am to 6pm Tuesday-Saturday at 3243 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Call (352) 624-0116 or go to dandypot.com OS
A native Floridian and lifelong gardener, Belea spends her time off fostering cats and
collecting caladiums. You can send gardening questions or column suggestions to her at belea@magnoliamediaco.com
