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

Stardreamer Daylily Farm

Yesterday the Gardening Group of the Newcomers Club of Greater Charlottesville visited the gardens of Daylily collectors, Carol and Dave Sarginger. 

Stardreamer Daylilies is located in Ruckersville, Virginia just north of Charlottesville.  Tucked at the edge of the woods in a rural neighborhood and surrounding a horse pasture is an explosion of over 1,500 colorful Daylily varieties.

Carol digs up a generous portion.

Carol conducted an interesting discussion about her recent experimentation with hybridizing Daylilies and her years of cultivation and love for this plant.  Afterwards, we each headed out with our Daylily inventory price list to examine and select our favorite Daylilies.  The internet provides an easy way to purchase plants but it was so much more enjoyable to roam Carols gardens and rank your top varieties.  Carol owns what I call a "point and dig" (you point and she digs).  At one time I nearly opened such an operation but life interrupted that path (something, oh I don't know, like a JOB).  I was one of the last gardeners to leave, enjoying watching what each person selected and helping Carol a little with check out. 

Neon Flamingo, for the collector, $150.00.

Given there are 1,500 varieties to choose from, several of us toiled over which varieties we liked the best and should purchase.  In my final evaluation, I wanted a double variety but I also wanted a color that was different than the Daylilies that I already have... so.... you can never buy just one... I really had no business buying more plants... but once you get there and see all the possibilities you HAVE to buy at least one... I had my mind set to NOT BUY ANY MORE PLANTS... but what the hell... you most likely only live once... so, IN THE END... I selected a dwarf double multicolor called Two to Tango and a delicate single lavender, Moonlight Orchid.  Both are now planted in my garden right below one of my rose trellis posts and are actually blooming.

My little floriferous Two to Tango

Daylily prices range from $5.00 for some of the darling dwarf varieties and up to $250.00 for some of the rare and "knock your socks off" varieties. The marjority are priced around $10.00 - $20.00 and I always like supporting a local fellow plant lover (and it doesn't hurt that she is a Trekkie). It's is obvious Daylilies are Carol's passion as she has collected them since a teenager.  If you are in the area, this is a must Summer stop for any plant lover.  Their gardens are open on a "catch them if home" basis or by prior arrangement.

-Rebecca