Spring flowers in Charlottesville Virginia on way to Ivy Landfill passing by Grand View Nursery

Azalea's are blooming. This was an impressive one at GV

If I were to rank Spring Seasons, I would have to say the bloom period this year has been stellar. Sometimes it can be so wet that you can't even get out and enjoy the plants, or they get so beaten down that the blooms get destroyed. Other times Spring can occur way too early in the season and Daffodils, Forsythia, Peach blooms, and Tulips get fried by frost or even freezes. I remember one Spring in the last 10 years that transitioned so quickly from cool temperatures to hot that everything bloomed all at once and there was really no Spring to be had, only miserable Summer humidity. That was absolutely the most disappointing Spring of them all.

Funny little statuary at Grand View

I have a regular route that I like to trek in order to check on a few spots of color. Typically in the Spring I have to make a trip to the Ivy Landfill and I make a point to drive by Grand View Nursery located at 648 Dry Bridge Road in Albemarle County Virginia. I barely missed the Daffodil blooms this year and sadly because of the coronavirus outbreak you are not permitted to get out of your car to stroll in the gardens. My photos were taken while sitting in the car!

Waterfalls at Grand View

I didn't bring my mask because I didn't imagine the greenhouses would even be open, but they ARE - hours are approximately M-Sat 9-4.  They are only letting 10 people in at a time and 8 were shopping. That was 8 too many for me without a mask! Sigh. They are a seasonal business and are only open in the Spring until around July 4th each year. They have a great sale during that time on what little that remains.

Lounging Longhorns

On the drive back we always pass the field of Texas Longhorns. I'm sure every day someone discovers this herd of amazing animals and nearly wrecks on Garth Road. I don't know of another herd in Charlottesville. Next to see as we turn onto Woodlands Road is a clump of Dogwoods that never disappoints.

Spring Pink, what could be prettier

My husband was in a mad rush to get to the landfill and back home so I was a little perturbed. I didn't spring it on him that we would be taking a Saturday drive until we were halfway to the landfill. We had over 500 lbs of carpet, concrete, and sheetrock scraps to drop off. It managed to be an enjoyable trip and it makes me want to get back out and see what's in bloom around Charlottesville before the show is over.

~Rebecca 

Grand View Nursery, a Charlottesville Hidden Gem

Yesterday I decided to take my dead lawn mower battery to the annual Hazardous Waste drop off at the Ivy Material Utilization Center, along with my household trash. I recycle practically everything we consume so I make a trek across the mountain three times a year to drop off trash for $2.50 a bag (this is in lieu of paying for monthly curbside pickup). I always look forward to driving past Grand View Nursery located at 648 Dry Bridge Road. I typically link to a business page to provide more details but this nursery is so popular it doesn't even need advertising and there is no online listing.

Tucked off the beaten path on top of Gilliams Mountain is a gardeners paradise. You won't have access to all the landscaped property which has been purchased over the years by the owners of Grand View Nursery but you can drive by in the Spring and see the thousands of Daffodils, Azalea, and Rhododendron. Stop by the nursery and be blown away by the diverse selection of annuals and perennials that are propagated each Spring. They also have slow growing Confer's, Azalea, and Rhododendron for sale. The nursery is only open for a short period in the Spring and on select days, so call before you head up. The plants sell out quickly due to the popularity of this hidden gem.

There is a lovely area across the street from the nursery that is gated and if you are lucky to find the gates open, you can stroll through the stream and perennial beds. Blooming this time of year are unusual varieties of tulips and daffodils artfully arranged with other Spring bulbs cascading over banks and streams. Soapstone boulders have been crafted into art throughout the landscape.

I was fortunate to walk through the other gated areas of the property during Historic Garden Week in 2010. Located on approximately 50 acres (property has been added gradually over the years), Grand View sits on top of the mountain with majestic views among massive trees dotted with an enormous collection of Azalea and Rhododendron. When the property was originally purchased, four hundred Rhododendron were obtained from a nursery in Germany. Many other pocket gardens were designed, mainly with an oriental flair.

Looking for a weekend drive? This is it! Don't miss the beautiful Spring show and visit the nursery if you are looking for unique plants.

Please be mindful that this is a private residence as well as Nursery so if gates are closed, there is no access to these areas but you can still catch quite a show just driving by!


-Rebecca