Horsford Gardens and Nursery — Attraction in Charlotte

WOW! No hyperbole....this is most enchanting nursery with old quaint buildings, stonework, sheds and greenhouses on the planet! Owners Eileen, Charlie and their amazing team are among the most knowledgeable, helpful and gracious group my wife and I have ever had the pleasure of working with. They produced an exquisite landscape/hardscape design for our 1910 near teardown camp with that was literally falling into the lake after 40+ years of neglect. Post construction they brought in massive amounts of stone, soil and gravel, incorporated natural drainage that saved us thousands....as we do not need any gutters!! Prior to that all the rain washed into the entry ways and we had post-construction dust and mud up to our eyeballs. They laid out gravel walk ways around the house, exposed gem of a hidden natural ledge and then planted the most exquisite collection of trees, shrubs, ferns, perennials and ground cover (myrtle)...that looks quiet, peaceful, understated and as if it always was that way. Thanks a bazillion Horsford's Nursery/Distinctive Landscaping....

I have half of my rain garden plants from Horsfords. I have bought plants from them since the early 1980's. Both Annuals, and perennials. Charlie Prout, the owner, has a wonderful landscape design firm, here, as well: Distinctive Landscaping. Whose policy has always been to contain storm water runoff, reuse, recycle, anything possible, and create unusual designs in both large and small spaces, including unique garden shed design, curving rock walls, pervious brick pavers.

Over the years, when I have needed help, it has been given to me, easily, with a smile. When I just needed a quart of ground blue stone, instead of the huge bag they were selling, they let me take some from their landscaping pile.

They have helped the charitable Flynn Garden Tour several times with lectures, places for the tea, plants given out as gifts, discounts, and garden tours. I am on the committee for the tours.

and today they helped save Lake Champlain from too much storm water runoff by working with LCI, and holding a class on designing, planting, a...

We have ordered Christmas wreaths for relatives, friends and ourselves many times. The quality craftsmanship of the wreaths is impeccable and the smell of fresh pine in the house is delightful.

We have an artificial tree so filling the house with the scent associated with Christmas while foregoing the need to sweep up pine needles gives us the best of both worlds.

Even after taking the wreaths down in January we had no needles shedding on the floor. They are shipped absolutely fresh and arrive in excellent condition.

Dealing with the small company in person (we used to live in Vermont where the nursery is located), on the phone or online is always a pleasure. It would be hard to find a company that had the warmth, efficiency and personal touch of Horsford.

My recommendation is to treat yourself to wreaths or centerpieces that will add a magical touch to your winter...