Whether you’ve got a backyard, a balcony or a sunny spot by the window, planting a spring garden is a rewarding way to make daily life more beautiful. A short trip outside the city to one of these nurseries will provide you with endless garden inspiration, no matter the scale of your project. 
1. Southlands Nursery
Founded by revered author and gardener Thomas Hobbs, the bucolic Southlands Nursery is a venerable institution. It specializes in hardy plants suited to the Pacific Northwest climate, offering an impressive selection of perennials, trees, shrubs, and a wide range of indoor plants. At only twenty minutes from the downtown core, a trip to this area of the city is just as diverting as it is inspiring. Located south of Marine Drive, you’ll find plenty of horses and livestock in this unique West Side neighbourhood, making a trip to the nursery feel like an adventure in itself. 
2. Cedar Rim Nursery
This Langley-based nursery has been serving the Lower Mainland for over forty-five years. Cedar Rim boasts the largest selection of specimen trees, plants, shrubs and perennials, making it a worthwhile expedition for anyone wishing to plan a larger-scale garden. Spend enough time perusing the lush, leafy aisles, and you might run into Creature, the nursery’s live-in cat. 
3. Phoenix Perennials
Located in Richmond, Phoenix Perennials is a special destination for rare and unusual varietals of perennial plants, many of which Phoenix’s gardeners grow themselves or source from around the world. If you’re looking to add some colour and exoticism to your garden, this cutting-edge nursery will provide you with an abundance of plants, vegetables, and flowers to choose from.
A trip to one of the Lower Mainland’s nurseries is a lovely way to spend a weekend afternoon, regardless of how green your thumb may be. If you need more space for your plants— and your family— to grow, contact a rennie advisor to learn more about finding a new home.
