Van Wilgen's Garden Center — Local services in North Branford

My first experience with Van Wilgen's nursery was going to get a Christmas tree. You can select pre-chopped trees or cut your own. The trees are beautiful. A very nice selection. Cutting your own is as easy as it gets. They have staff that will come help you cut it seems like you need help, and they will pick up the tree once it is cut and transport it back to a pickup area where they will tie it on your car for you. Remember to bring cash for tipping all the helpers.

Some years (not in 2018, however), they have had a train for young kids in December, a Santa to say hello, and usually cider or another hot drink available (though sometimes you have to ask where). The atmosphere is festive and cheery, and in previous years they have brought in a food truck or two on the weekends, so call ahead and ask about that and/or bring money for food as well if you want to make a meal of it. (There are not, however, too many places to sit down and eat.) As it gets closer to Christmas, the atmosphere shifts and there may not be any of these amenities or the festive atmosphere. In 2018, we ran late and didn't get our tree until sometime after December 15th or 20th. I don't know if it was because we were late in the season or what, but we went to Van Wilgen's on a Saturday and there was nothing special or magical about this trip as there had been in past years.

I've also gone here for my gardening needs during the spring and summer. The staff are helpful, but not all are knowledgeable. Also, I have found that I have to know the right questions to ask. I had an experience of getting bad information on a phone call to the nursery, and then showing up later that evening, asking a couple people some questions, and eventually getting more helpful and correct answers to my questions.

What I like most about this nursery is how convenient the shopping experience is. Need some soil delivered to your house? No problem! Need bags of soil instead? Just tell the cashier what you need, pay for it, and drive to the "bagged items" area where a staff member will load the bags you've paid for into your car for you. You barely have to lift a finger. Just bring cash for tipping, and remember that this is a more expensive nursery so watch your prices as you go. It is easy for it to add up.

(On the other hand, I bought some soil from them that turned out to be absolutely filled with vine borers that destroyed my potted squash and even my potted cucumbers. So disheartening, and now I have to figure out whether to replace all the soil in my huge pots or not grow vining plants for several years.)

One other note: In my experience, the customer service here is very good. I bought some strawberry plants that got a fungus and died. I was worried it was the Van Wilgen's soil. I talked to them, and they explained why this was not likely the case. Even though the fungus was likely the result simply of heavy rains around the time I planted the strawberries, they still were cheerfully willing to replace my plants.

They permit dogs, including at Christmas time, and the cashiers even have big dog treats they will give them, if they remember (or...

I recently had the pleasure of using Van Wilgen’s new landscape design services, and I couldn’t be happier with the entire experience. Their in-house designer, Tom, came out to my property for a consultation, and from the moment he arrived, I felt completely at ease. As someone with little design knowledge and no green thumb, I was hoping for guidance in creating my dream garden oasis—and that’s exactly what I got.

Tom took the time to really listen to my ideas and concerns, especially around maintenance and potential flooding. He was kind, respectful, and incredibly patient, offering clear communication throughout the process while staying within my budget.

After our initial meeting, we followed up at the Van Wilgen’s office to review his garden design. That’s when everything truly started to come to life. We made a few final adjustments together, and once I gave the green light with my initial deposit, the project was underway.

When installation began, Tom was right there to oversee everything, which meant so much to me. His involvement didn’t end with the design—he was part of the process from start to finish. The installation crew was equally impressive: a team of hardworking, professional, and polite young men who treated my property with care and respect.

Words can’t express how thrilled I am with the final result. My garden is absolutely beautiful—better than I ever imagined. Tom and the Van Wilgen’s team truly went above and beyond, and now I have a space I can enjoy for many years to come. Thank you...

Store manager Chris is rude and disrespectful. I spend thousand of dollars there a season and the arrogance and disrespect is surreal to me. I had left an item at the store and when they called to tell me the next day I was leaving on a business trip. They said they would hold onto it and now it’s “gone”. Considering how expensive the item Was I am clearly agitated and Chris attitude was “shouldn’t have waited so long””. Now as opposed to checking with staff that’s their answer. Purely based on sheer disrespect I wouldn’t spend another dollar at this store. They could have been understanding but Chris decided to mock me and acted as though it were nothing. Business is business and someone who represents a store should know how to speak with customers.

Even after a phone call with the police, who said they took the same approach with them, hostile and rude. Police said once they claimed they found the item they take responsibility. Needless to say nothing, no phone call no offer of any kind. Unprofessional, disrespectful staff and manager.

Since i cant write another review. I called and spoke to a girl who said she has seen the missing item that the managers claim they cant find. Treat me like i was wrong, spoke to the police department and management did the same to them and 0 follow up. Funny how the front desk staff is friendly and shocked management cant find my missing item. Chris the manager is terrible at business and customer...