In need of a pick-me-up? We’ve got you!
Here’s your ultimate two-for-one weekend tip: Green up your place with some stunning plants and enjoy the journey.
How? Sydney’s got some incredible plant nurseries – some with a cafe to enjoy brunch with friends amongst lush greenery, others with a range of activities or a playground for the kids — all of them with an outstanding collection of plants and excellent service.
We’ve given picking the top ones a go. But, it is subjective to single out the must-visit plant nurseries in Sydney. It’s similar to standing in front of a painting; that is mesmerising to some, while others claim they could have done those few brush strokes themselves. But like Leonardo’s Mona Lisa or Andy Warhol’s Marilyn, there are always the favourites we tend to gravitate to.
So what plant nurseries are the Sydneysiders drawn to? Which parks and garden centres are the ones we could quite easily lose track of time in? Where can you get a good coffee with that new rose bush? And where do you go to get the best planting advice?
Read on to find out.
The Royal Botanic Gardens – Growing Friends
Website: https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/what-s-on/growing-friends-plant-sales
What is it?
If you’re looking for an exotic or native plant and want to support the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney at the same time, head over to the Growing Friends Plant Sales. But of course, there is much more to discover at the Royal Botanic Gardens – it’ll make for a perfect day of adventure and discovery for all ages. Wander through the gardens, admire the largest green wall in the Southern Hemisphere, catch up with friends for a bite to eat, explore the Palm Groves Centre Garden shop or bring a picnic basket and find a shady spot. It’s worth checking out their events calendar to plan your day. This is a bustling, busy place – you’re bound to find an experience that will be exactly right for you.
What you will find
What are you looking for? There’s something for everyone. You will find a fantastic range of rare endemic and exotic plants here. Depending on the season, you can find anything from vibrant Fuchsias to a range of stunning native Banksias, beautiful Irises, lovely Lemon Myrtle trees, and much more. They also have a good selection of indoor plants and ceramic pots, and their compostable cornstarch bags are a real hit.
Why we love it
The Growing Friends Sales is a fantastic volunteer operation. Many of the plants on offer have been propagated from the collections in the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah, and the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney.
Newtown Garden Market
Website: https://newtowngardenmarket.com.au
What is it?
Yes, you’ve got us there! If we want to be quite precise and stick to definitions, the Newtown Garden Market should not be listed here with the nurseries. But this market is exactly what it promises to be: “a little oasis in a big city”. We are always amazed at how many pretty blooms and lush foliage they manage to display in such a small space. Every inch of this place, walls, shelves and ceiling, is maxed for display – and for you to discover.
What you will find
You’ll find everything you need to get creative and bring natural, happy vibes to your indoor or outdoor space. From Australian wildflower seeds and a comprehensive range of healthy indoor plants to a Michelangelo-inspired vase, insect hotels and hardware, the Newtown Garden Market has it all. Plus, you’ll always get friendly, professional advice and help. Are you worried about repotting your plants? Not a problem; they can help you with that too! They even offer a pot recycling service. How good is that?
Why we love it
There are a few reasons why we love this plant market. Their loyalty programme, for starters – nothing quite like a little thank you now and then. But we also like that they have quite a range of kids’ products so that planting a veggie patch or a colourful flower garden can become a family adventure instead of a chore.
Most of all, we like that the Newtown Garden Market is paw friendly. In fact, they’ve taken ‘dog friendly’ to the next level; their resident dog Leo has grown up at the market and is usually around to greet visitors.
Randwick Community Nursery
Website: https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/environment-and-sustainability/randwick-community-nursery
What is it?
This is not just a nursery but a place for the community to come together and for local budding and experienced green thumbs to get gardening advice. If you are looking for indigenous plants that will grow well in your area, the Randwick Community Nursery is the place to be. It’s open during the week, but before you go, check out their plant list – you’ll not only find the common names and species, but also information on what each plant is used for.
What you will find
The Community Nursery offers an excellent selection of native plants that have been used by Aboriginal Australians for thousands of years and will do well in this area. Are you looking for plants you can harvest for fruit, berries, or medicine? You’ll even find plants for making tools, baskets, shelters and spears.
Why we love it
This awesome nursery supports sustainable ways to green up Renwick, not just by growing suitable plants but also providing lots of advice. It is, in fact, one of Sydney’s leading providers of indigenous plants. Here, you won’t just get the greenery; you’ll also learn how to make the most of each plant and use its fruits, berries, leaves, stems and tubers.
Bonsai South Nursery
Website: https://shirebonsai.com.au
What is it?
Yup, you guessed it! This nursery specialises in bonsai, the art of growing artificially dwarfed, ornamental shrubs and trees. We realise this is perhaps not everyone’s cup of tea, but bonsai enjoys quite the following – a community of enthusiasts and experts taking pride in mastering this art form.
What you will find
Pint-sized maples, mini willows or a potted crab apple, anyone? The nursery offers an impressive selection of beautifully developed miniature trees and specialist tools and guidebooks.
Why we love it
Bonsai may well be the answer to apartment living and the tiny house movement. With these miniature trees and shrubs, you’ll never have to give up on greenery. However small your place may be! The Bonsai South Nursery oozes passion for its craft. The nursery team have been delivering workshops, forum and beginners classes in the past, and we hope they can offer these again.
Sydney Wildflower Nursery
Website: https://www.sydneywildflowernursery.com.au
What is it?
Known for its vast selection of native Australian shrubs, trees and flowers, this nursery had its beginnings in the 70s; it then set up shop in Heathcote some 40 years ago. Today, you’ll find a team of passionate horticulturists and landscape designers, happy to share their vast knowledge with you and ensure your garden will thrive.
What you will find
You’ll find an extensive range of native trees, shrubs and flowers, many of them are endemic to the greater Sydney area – the list is long and requires some scrolling. This nursery invites you to stay a while, look at what’s in season, go for a bushwalk at the nearby National Park or grab a cup of coffee before heading off again.
Why we love it
Do you want to create an edible garden but need help figuring out where to start? The team at Sydney Wildflower Nursery will have a workshop for that. It runs some excellent classes and talks on edible gardens, native plants, garden care and design. And if you have a specific plant question, you can just ring or email them for advice!
Rare Plants and Succulents Nursery
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Instagram: rareplantsandsucculents
What is it?
If you haven’t got the greenest of thumbs and had to say goodbye to many lifeless stalks in the past, this nursery will lift your spirits. If you think “cacti and succulents” sound rather dull and monotone, think again. Especially succulents come in some amazing shapes and shades, and flowering cacti can add a great pop of colour to your space. This nursery is open by appointment, so don’t make it a spur-of-the-moment trip! But, on the other hand, you’ll very likely benefit from undivided attention once there!
What you will find
The name says it all: The Rare Plants and Succulent Nursery in Sydney offers a great range of succulents and cacti, which are generally very hardy and forgiving plants. Many of these cuties also fit in small spaces, which makes them perfect for apartment living.
Why we love it
Why do we love it? Because many good things come in small packages!
The Habitat, Ryde
Website: https://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Living-in-Ryde/Community-Gardens/The-Habitat
What is it?
The Habitat is both a native plant nursery and a community garden. Back in 2012, the team of Habitat volunteers took over a part of the lovely Santa Rosa Park in Ryde and established a vibrant garden and nursery run by volunteers. This one makes for a great day out for the whole family. There’s lots of space to roam in the park, a playground, picnic areas and more.
What you will find
The Habitat team not only sells native plants but also offers several workshops and events. You can bring your compost there and share their harvest. It’s a social, community-centred place and aims to bring people together whilst doing good for the local environment. What a fantastic spirit!
Why we love it
Habitat has specialised in providing small biodiverse batches of plants to local bush care sites and schools to create habitat havens and improve the natural environment. What a great way to raise environmental awareness and nurture budding green thumbs!
Honeysuckle Garden
Website: https://honeysucklegarden.com.au/
What is it?
This family-owned business is an institution in the greater Sydney area. Its two shops (in swanky Mosman and the leafy suburb of Turramurra) are supplied by its own 5-acre Growing Nursery. And year after year, the awards keep coming for their garden centres and nurseries. And here’s why.
What you will find
Whether you’re visiting the Mosman or Turramurra shop or getting a delivery directly from the Honeysuckle nursery, you can always count on top-quality plants, professional, friendly service, and advice. So step into either garden centre and get your dose of ‘Alice in Wonderland”. You’ll be immersed in a riot of colour and find they’re full to the brim with plants, accessories and tools to add a sprinkle of magic to your balcony, patio or backyard.
Why we love it
All you ever needed and all the things you didn’t even know you needed – Honeysuckle Garden will have it. So whether it’s a wheelbarrow for kids, a stylish firepit, a bird bath, Tuscan-inspired pots, all-weather rugs, gift baskets or cow manure to boost your soil – you’ll find all you need to get creating.
Not quite ready yet to get stuck into your DIY garden project? Both Mosman and Turramurra have plenty of cafes and bistros to replenish first.
Harvest Seeds and Native Plants
Website: https://www.harvestseeds-nativeplants.com.au/
What is it?
You just have to scan over the Google reviews for the Harvest Seeds Plant Nursery, and you know you will be in excellent hands – since 1986. This nursery is about caring for the environment and preserving its richness and diversity.
They’ve specialised in seed collection and propagation of Australian native grasses, rushes and sedges and promoting, revegetating and regenerating habitats.
What you will find
Perhaps the question should be, “what will you not find?” The Harvest Seeds stock list is impressive, and we would encourage you to ‘see for yourself’, take time and have a yarn to one of the staff about how to green up your space in a way that is both sustainable and attractive. Not quite sure about garden adventures just yet? It’s worth checking out their Harvest blogs for inspiration and reassurance. The articles are full of practical tips and show you what’s in season and what needs to be done to keep your plants thriving. Best of all, their advice is always accompanied by fantastic imagery; who could resist some homegrown, mouthwatering fruits, berries and vegetables?
Why we love it
Harvest Seeds and Native Plants really walk the walk when it comes to growing seeds and plants endemic to Australia and the greater Sydney region. They’ve got a bit of a reputation for supporting research into native seeds and plant propagation and backing their quest to grow more Australian flora in practical ways. This plant nursery offers native seed packs for retail sale, is actively involved in revegetation projects, and offers landscape consultancy and even green-themed marketing promotions for corporates and government departments. We take our hats off!
Eden Gardens
Website: https://edengardens.com.au/
What is it?
What a wonderful destination Eden Gardens makes for the whole family. Wander past beautiful waterfalls and over archways and bridges in these gardens. Hang loose, learn, feel artistic or marvel at the art in the gardens, stock up on nature, and hang out with friends to celebrate. Take your time and make your day at Eden Gardens whatever you want it to be.
What you will find
Spread over several hectares, incorporating award-winning display gardens in Macquarie Park, Eden Gardens offers workshops for young and experienced green thumbs, a family play area with a beehive cubby house, a nursery, a cafe, and an onsite florist. It’s really worthwhile to check out the events calendar for Macquarie Park and Eden Gardens and make a day of it.
The shop sells a comprehensive range of healthy indoor and outdoor plants, snazzy plant care kits, homeware, pots, baskets, books and more. And if you ever wanted to get creative and learn how to style your own terrarium – there’s a workshop for that too!
Why we love it
Eden Gardens’ philosophy is pure and simple: “Enrich people’s lives with plants.” We believe they’re doing a fantastic job of it! They’ve got the perfect name to match.
Swane’s Nurseries, Dural
Website: https://www.swanes.com
What is it?
What started as a market garden in Ermington over 100 years ago has grown into a 16 hectares plant nursery, rose garden and garden centre.
Swane’s rose garden has become a popular and romantic wedding venue – especially during the months when the roses are in bloom, and the air is full of their sweet perfume. Haven’t got a wedding or special occasion planned? Don’t let that stop you! Immerse yourself in their plant world, then enjoy the view of Swane’s beautiful rose beds from the on-site Green Vibes Cafe!
What you will find
Proudly family-owned, Swane’s is best known for its roses. It is a leading rose grower in Australia, with a substantial portion of its stock being shipped and sold to shops across the state. That said, the Swane team also grows a wide variety of indoor and outdoor plants, including edibles, natives and hedging shrubs in its glass and shade houses.
Why we love it
Swane’s motto is Grow, Create, Inspire – gardening should not be a chore but something you enjoy and find relaxing. And that’s exactly what the professional team at Swane’s aims to do.
Swane’s offers one-on-one bookable coaching sessions for all budding and expert green thumbs. This is an indoor, onsite clinic – you provide the evidence of the issue (photos and details), and they will match you with an expert. Especially roses, these queens of the flower world, can be pretty tricky to grow. But whatever the issue, whether it’s disease management, pruning questions, or selecting the plants best suited for your space – and your skills- you will get professional coaching to grow, create and be inspired.
Flower Power Garden Centres
Website: https://www.flowerpower.com.au/
What is it?
OK, it’s not a plant nursery per se, but it’s a one-stop shop to make your dreams of the ultimate outdoor entertainment area or a green indoor space come true. Flower Power Garden Centres are strewn across the greater Sydney area, so check which one is closest to you. That said, we reckon it pays to check out each one of them. Because although the products and services on offer are roughly the same in all garden centres, each one has a bit of a different setup.
What you will find
What does your dream space look like? Does it look like a mini orchard or potager garden full of edibles? Does it have a relaxing spa pool? Will you want a covered seating area, neatly trimmed hedges for privacy or stylish glass pool fencing for your swimming pool? Or is it a wonderful riot of seasonal blooms in cool containers you’re after? Whatever you need – and whatever you didn’t even know you needed – you’ll find at a Flower Power Garden Centre near you.
The weekend and holiday vibes fairy has clearly waived her magic wand in any one of these stores. And if you need a little bit of time to decide on shrubs and planters, choose between the hammock or the lounge chair, and head over to the on-site cafe. There’s one in each store. Decisions are so much easier to make with a good cup of coffee and a bite to eat!
Why we love them
As we write this, ten Flower Power stores are servicing the greater Sydney area. We’ve chosen to highlight just a couple of them:
Flower Power Milperra. The latest addition to the Flower Power family is touted as Australia’s future of Garden Centres. An innovative space well worth a visit – plus, you can pop into its Potting Factory, and they’ll pot your new plant for you. Flower Power in Enfield is also home to Whole Farm Market. Fresh fruit and veggies, meat and seafood – freshness directly from paddocks, sea and fields to your home.
Flower Power Penrith has all the greenery you might need, plus a stunning range of homeware and outdoor furniture. Hadn’t quite planned on getting a new set of lounge chairs? Not a problem; they’ve got a trailer for hire as well.
Flower Power Mascot. Art Deco in the Eastern suburbs, beautiful greenery and a great cafe with lots of local produce – a winning combination, don’t you think?
Flower Power Mount Annan has a vast range of mature trees and landscaping materials in stock. Spa pool, anyone? Yes, they have that too!
Flower Power Glenhaven is home to Wild Bunch, an excellent onsite florist. Grab your bunch of flowers with your potting mix or enquire about event styling.
Inspired yet?
Are you ready to bring some of Australia’s natural beauty to your private haven? Are you determined to give a herb garden a go? Is it the heirloom tomato or apple variety you’re on the hunt for? Or are you simply looking for a beautiful space to while an afternoon away or catch up with friends?
Of course, you don’t need a reason to visit one of Sydney’s inspiring plant nurseries and markets! But we can almost guarantee you’ll walk away from one of these plant places with a bit of spring in your step, something learned and likely a new project.
The team at Flowers across Sydney has a small selection of high-quality plants and a wealth of advice. And if you’re not quite ready to look after your own flower patch, you know we’ve got some stunning bouquets – just waiting to be delivered! But this article is all about plant nurseries. So enjoy the journey, discover some of our great plant nurseries, brighten up your space and bring nature in.
Which plant nursery is your favourite?
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