Back when we lived in Washington state, my all time favorite greenhouse/nursery was Watson’s Greenhouse and Nursery in Puyallup, Washington. The place was HUGE, and it had every plant imaginable and was open year round. Annuals, perennials, fruit trees, shrubs, they had it all. I loved going there and sorely missed the place when we moved to New England.
But well, I am happy to report that after three years of living in New England, I finally found a greenhouse that rivals Watsons yesterday while the HH and I were out on a date day adventure.
The place is called Longfellow’s Greenhouse and it’s in Manchester, Maine and whoa Nellie, is it AWESOME!
Not only are there rows and rows of greenhouses, they are stuffed to the brim with plants!!! Which is saying something because it’s like 40 degrees here in Maine right now. Ha!
The HH and I had such a great time walking up and down the rows of indoor plants {and my husband never gets excited about going to a nursery} that we didn’t want to leave until we saw every inch of the place.
The orchids were perfect!
They even had baby fiddle leaf fig trees. {I’ve never seen them for sale so small}.
There were succulents galore.
And the sweetest little pots to house them in too.
Mrs. HB would have loved this place! I think I’m going to have to take her here when she comes to visit me in late May.
Handbags and flowy tops.
I thought these mason bee houses were pretty cool.
And of course, they have oodles of seeds too. 😉
With 21 greenhouses and over 800 perennials in stock, I think Longfellow’s Greenhouses pretty much has it all. I can’t wait for my next trip back for hydrangeas and periwinkle once the weather warms up a bit.
If you’re ever in the area, it’s worth the stop. Trust me, you’ll be pleased. 🙂
~Mavis
Longfellow’s Greenhouses
81 Puddledock Rd
Manchester, ME 04351
Alison says
Wow – I need a road trip up north! I’m keeping a list of all your reviews and planning a trip back for sure – its been too long away….
Brianna says
It is nice to see the place well stocked. I went to two nursery/greenhouse places here last week and the selection and stock was dismal and the prices were outrageous. I am seriously contemplating ordering plants online through a greenhouse, but I am unsure if they would be decent.
Linda Practical Parsimony says
I love the wall of blue pots! You say 21 greenhouses!
S says
My teenaged daughter and I went to a great (also very large) garden store last week on her day off. It was SO fun to walk around and be around life and green and so much beauty. I’d highly recommend it as a relatively safe outing for anyone (it was very uncrowded in the middle of a weekday)!
I don’t consider myself an shopper impulsive shopper, but those cool succulents were too much. We got a small pot of “string of pearls” and one of “string of turtles.” We were highly tempted by “fish hooks” and “string of dolphins.” SO COOL!!
Richelle Krienke says
Mavis,
Watson’s opened a second store in Federal Way! I stopped in last week. Lots of plants (in- and outdoor), home decor, accessories, etc. It’s smaller, but very nicely done.
Richelle
Mavis Butterfield says
I had no idea! I’ll have to tell Mrs. HB. Thanks!
Gigi says
There’s an orchid greenhouse near me and it’s my favorite place to visit at the end of February. They have 4-5 acres of blooming orchids.
Cherri says
Man oh man you have hit the jackpot. That place is right up your alley. So happy for you. I love to travel and visit nurseries and see all the choices.
Diane Dodge says
Mavis,
Thank you so much for this recommendation! The blue pots! Manchester is within driving distance for me–I love primroses and around here, Boothbay region, I have only seen the odd plant here and there. And they weren’t healthy enough to justify the price. Here’s a garden center recommendation for you–I went, back when you couldn’t get potting soil or much else during Covid–it’s in Cornish Maine, Metcalf’s Trading Post, and I don’t really know what their plants would be like, because it was past season, but they had a lot of statuary, potting soil, Sprays, tools, pots, birdseed at REALLY GOOD and I mean really good prices. I got those green plant supports for tall plants at like .69 cents each, where I’d seen them at Ames for $2.99 each! I bought a box of 2 sizes. Also had great prices on row covers, and fruit tree sprays, fertilizer, etc. It’s really a big Feed and Seed store, for real farmers, so the prices are good. I had never seen such a good supply of different potting soils. And Cornish is a really cute town with tons of antique stores. Good Date Day destination for you and HH. Thank you so much for the Longfellow’s recommendation!
Cindy says
Wow what a beautiful place. I shop at Watson’s and I can see the resemblance.
Shirley says
I am so happy you went to Longfellows!!! This is a wonderful family business that started out in Farmingdale with my grandfather. Then my uncle opened the greenhouses in Manchester and now my cousin and his amazing family run the business. Just wait until May when things are really hopping!! I could stay there for hours and hours- it’s so fun.
Barbara says
I love Moose Crossing in Waldoboro but this place looks even better. I feel a road trip coming on. Only about 35 minutes away for us.
Wynne says
I came to say “Moose Crossing” too — and Longfellow’s looks terrific!
KCB says
Mrs. HB & I were at Watson’s yesterday. We plan to visit the new one soon. We found Swanson’s Nursery in Seattle. It is much like Watson’s.
Mavis Butterfield says
Have you been to Molbak’s in Woodinville yet? That’s another one you two would like.
jennifer says
Mavis, Im visiting my sister in Searsport in a few months and I cant wait to go here with her. I had her follow your website so she can keep a note of all the cute places we have to visit! Thank you for showing us around!