Wards Nursery

600 Main Street
Great Barrington, MA 01230-2010
(413) 528-2884
www.wardsnursery.com

Memorial Day weekend was the start for me of serious gardening. Last summer, I was more intent on the inside of the house than the outside - and let me tell you, my backyard was a small, neglected, hillside mess. But perhaps more on that process later.

Since I had to get plants and supplies, I figured from some cursory research that Ward's Nursery in Great Barrington would be the most full-service garden center. And I think I was right - I went there last weekend, and then checked out Dr Lahey's in Lenox today - Ward's definitely has a far greater, and more organized, selection, that Dr L's.

The place was crawling with help and we got some very needed assistance about which hydrangeas to choose, as well as tips to keep bears away (no birdseed/feeders - they love it) and which grass seed to choose for a bald patch in the back. We were asked several more times if we needed help. When I was at Dr Lahey's today, I didn't see a single attendant.

The plants were very well organized into annuals and perennials, and then alphabetically. They had helpful sheets available that gave the some cross-references - "catmint" could be found under "nepeta", for ex. - as plants often have colloquial names and then their "real" names.

Inside, they have every kind of garden supply you might want, and plenty of gifts as well.

Thus far the hydrangeas and other plants we bought to get started have hung on this week and seem to be doing well (fingers crossed). I will definitely be heading back to Ward's as I keep uncovering the tangle that used to be the terraced garden in the backyard and replant it with some colorful (and hardy - hardy is very important!) perennials.