One thing that helps us New Englanders cope with our long, dark and cold Winters is the enduring optimism that Spring is sure to come and is right around the corner. The reliable appearance of garden catalogs in our mailbox fuels that optimism and we start planning our vegetable gardens, redesigning planting beds, making lists of must haves. Then our feet start itching to get in the car for a road trip and our Spring time pilgrimage to our favorite garden centers. I would like to suggest that next to that stack of alluring catalogs should be Ruah Donnelly’s excellent guide to where to buy the best plants in New England.

This book is not a guide to local commercial retail nurseries, most of which are well known to us already. Ms. Donnelly suggests we expand our horizons and not just wander aimlessly or simply frequent our old favorite haunts. Keep this book in your car and when on the hunt for that must have tree, plant, or shrub or perhaps a serendipitous encounter with a new variety of an old acquaintance,you plan an enjoyable and/or educational road trip to discover new and interesting nurseries.

The focus of Donnelly’s guide is the growers of plants that cannot be found in most local garden centers. These growers are in the business because they love plants. They are very knowledgeable and specialize in locally grown , responsibly sourced native plants that will thrive in our New England environment, plants grown with responsible pest management, and organic growing practices. Excluded are sellers of wild collected or endangered plants. Many are family run and have been in business for years. She has personally visited or contacted each nursery listed, covers their specialties and provides many personal vignettes from her interviews with the owner/grower.

Some of the nurseries are, indeed, specialists. Examples are: The Completely Clematis Specialty Nursery, in Ipswich, MA, the New England Bamboo Company in Rockport, MA, Raising Rarities in Jacksonville, VT, Resourceful Judith Designs in Woodstock, CT, whose specialty is hardy and historic roses, or Meadowbrook Herb Gardens in Wyoming, R.I. Fedco nurseries in Waterville, ME is one of the few places you will be able to purchase seedlings of the American Chestnut. Fedco is working to restore the tree and is now able to offer seedlings in conjunction with the American Chestnut Society. Other specialties include Aquatic and Water Garden plants, Azaleas, Begonias, Cactus, Cold Hardy (Zone 3-4) plants, Conifers, Daylilies, Epimediums, Grasses, the list is extensive. If you are on the hunt for a special fern, cranesbill geranium or Kalmia, this is the book for you