A Local Gem I Keep Returning To: My Garden Nursery (Bellingham, WA)

Every gardener has their nursery — the place they wander into “just to look,” and somehow leave with a tray of plants, a new pot, and a head full of inspiration.

For me, that place is My Garden Nursery in Bellingham, WA.

It’s not just the plants (though those are fantastic). It’s the feeling you get when you walk in — warm, friendly, unrushed — and the people who genuinely want to help you grow something beautiful. Over time, it’s become one of my favorite local spots to spend a slow morning or spark a new garden idea.

A Team of Plant People Who Truly Care

One thing I always notice here is how approachable and knowledgeable the staff are. You can ask about:

• Why a particular houseplant keeps dropping leaves

• What thrives in soggy PNW winters

• Which shrubs can handle shade but still provide structure

• Or what to tuck into that weird corner of your yard

…and they’ll happily walk you through options with real, experience-backed advice.

It never feels rushed. Never salesy. Just gardeners helping gardeners — which is rare and refreshing.

A Surprisingly Gorgeous Indoor Plant Selection

I have to highlight this because it’s one of my favorite parts of the nursery.

The indoor plant area is bright, lush, and beautifully arranged. You’ll find:

• Beginner-friendly houseplants

• Larger statement tropicals

• Quirky, unusual varieties

• Great pottery and indoor containers

• Seasonal indoor displays that always tempt me

It’s the kind of space you meander through slowly, imagining each leafy character finding a new home on your windowsill.

Endless Outdoor Inspiration

Their outdoor selection is just as impressive. Every season brings something fresh and colorful, including:

• Perennials and annuals

• PNW-friendly shrubs and trees

• Fruit trees and edibles

• Groundcovers, grasses, and natives

• Outdoor pottery and garden décor

Everything looks healthy, well-cared for, and chosen intentionally for our Pacific Northwest climate.

Classes, Workshops & Community Events

My Garden Nursery also invests heavily in community learning.

Their classes — from wreath-making to seasonal porch pots — are friendly, accessible, and fun whether you’re a beginner or longtime gardener.

The sense of community here is real, and it shows.

A Meaningful Commitment: Supporting Alzheimer’s Causes

One thing that makes this nursery even more special to me is their ongoing support for Alzheimer’s-related organizations.

As someone whose mother suffered from Alzheimer’s, this touches me deeply.

It’s rare to find a business that not only serves its community, but also stands for something bigger, using its platform to raise awareness and support families affected by dementia.

Knowing they contribute to a cause that is so personally meaningful adds another layer of warmth to every visit.

It’s not just a nursery — it’s a place with heart.

A Coffee Spot + Cozy Reading Nook

Past the plants, tucked toward the back, is a little oasis:

• A food truck with coffee, tea and amazing sandwiches (my kid loves the truffle fries and flamingo freeze)

• A quiet reading room filled with books and greenery

• Soft chairs and peaceful corners perfect for browsing gardening books

It’s one of my favorite parts of the nursery — a gentle reminder to slow down and savor the moment before wandering the aisles again.

Quick Cameo From Dilly Pickles & Dally Cucumber

I can’t talk about plants without mentioning the true rulers of My Garden Nursery — Dilly Pickles and Dally Cucumber. These two don’t just visit the nursery… they live there, and they take their roles very seriously.

Dilly Pickles patrols the indoor plant section like a tiny botanist-in-chief, inspecting leaf textures, testing sunbeam quality, and supervising anyone who looks like they might overwater something.

Dally Cucumber, on the other hand, prefers a more relaxed management style: she finds the warmest clay pot, curls into it like a loaf, and provides calm, purring encouragement to customers debating between two ferns.

They roam freely, greet customers, charm children, and generally make the nursery feel even more magical. Honestly, it wouldn’t be My Garden Nursery without them.

Why Supporting Local Nurseries Matters

Places like My Garden Nursery are more than shops — they’re hubs of community and knowledge. They help gardeners learn, experiment, feel inspired, and choose plants that actually thrive here in the Pacific Northwest.

When you shop at nurseries like this, you’re supporting:

• Local jobs

• Local horticulture expertise

• Community events

• Charitable causes

• A more connected gardening culture

And in return, you get a place that feels like home.

If You’re in Bellingham, Go Visit

If you’re local — or making a day trip — I can’t recommend stopping by enough.

Give yourself extra time. Wander the aisles. Peek into the reading nook. Stay for a latte or a sandwich.

Website: https://www.mygardennursery.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mygardennursery/

You’ll leave inspired — and probably carrying a new plant or three.