Agway of Cape Cod

This is the time of year when everyone is yearning to replace the dreary grays of winter with the bright florals of spring. Whether you want to start gardening or just need a refresher, there is a local garden center to help. Here are a few voted tops in our “Best of” survey.

Reg and Terry Soares made their dream of a garden nursery in Falmouth a reality more than 20 years ago, and now Soares Flower Garden Nursery is a go-to for both basics and unique masterpieces. Soares offers unique annuals, perennials and shrubs, and provides the biggest selection of hydrangeas for the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival. Terry and Reg had a vision in mind when designing the center. “We wanted this place to be different,” Terry says. “So rather than just walking through rows of potted plants, customers feel like they are walking through an actual garden.” They specialize in container gardens, using unusual objects as planters. “The more unique the better,” Terry says, noting they’ve used bathtubs, a wheelbarrow and even an old boat to make these breathtaking plant combinations. Container gardens are completely custom made, so no two customers will ever have the same statement piece in their yard.

What started as a small yard and pet supply store has turned into one of the Cape’s favorite garden centers, and Agway of Cape Cod is marking its 25th year in 2018. With three locations, in South Dennis, Chatham and Orleans, Agway has everything from a large selection of Proven Winners® annuals to pots, mulch and fertilizer. Marketing Director Ally Piper says that Agway is proud to support local farms. “We are happy to partner with Lake Farms in Orleans and provide customers with fresh locally grown herb and veggie plants,” she says. At the Chatham location, the ducks paddling in the pond out front have been a staple for years, entertaining visitors for almost as long as the store has been open.

Hyannis Country Garden on West Main Street in Hyannis offers shoppers a multitude of ways to learn about the plants they are buying and caring for, including year-round seminars, one-on-one conversations with knowledgeable employees and handouts for each type of plant. General Manager Jocelyn Duffley says the koi pond is a big draw for Hyannis Country Garden customers. “Visitors can come experience the calm serenity of our koi pond. As one of the largest gardening retailers in New England, we are proud to provide customers with this experience.” Duffley also recommends the Saturday walk-through as a great way to expand your knowledge.

Whether you are just dipping your toe in or you already know a lot about gardening, you are sure to learn something new at the friendly and knowledgeable gardens centers around Cape Cod.

Explore these “Best of” winners & more here