Best Garden Centres In Ontario
Ontario is home to some of the most beautiful and diverse garden centres in Canada, offering everything from vibrant annuals and perennials to mature trees, shrubs, and specialty plants. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener looking for expert advice or a first-time plant parent hunting for the perfect blooms, finding a trusted garden centre can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best garden centres in Ontario based on customer reviews, plant quality, variety, and service. From family-run nurseries to large greenhouse complexes, each of these garden centres stands out for its unique offerings and commitment to helping your garden thrive.
Whether you’re shopping in the Greater Toronto Area, Niagara region, or beyond, this list will help you discover where to get the healthiest plants, expert guidance, and a truly enjoyable shopping experience.
If you live in the Niagara region and are searching for the best garden centre, Gauld Nurseries is well worth the visit.
Key Takeaways
Ontario is home to many top-rated garden centres offering healthy plants, expert advice, and a wide selection.
The best garden centres in Ontario stand out for knowledgeable staff, plant quality, and strong customer reviews.
Family-run nurseries often provide more personalized guidance than big-box garden stores.
Checking Google ratings and review volume is a great way to identify trusted garden centres.
Garden centres with the HowToGardenz Badge of Approval meet higher standards for service and plant care.
If you’re in the Niagara region, Gauld Nurseries is a standout local choice for quality plants and expert support.
Rating: ⭐ 4.6 (106+ reviews): strong overall satisfaction with healthy plants & excellent service.
Specialty:
Gauld Nurseries is a long‑standing, family‑run garden centre nestled on the Niagara Escarpment with a broad selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, vegetables, and landscape design services.Pros:
It has beautiful nursery grounds with a unique setting and a wide plant variety from ornamentals to trees. It is well‑regarded for knowledgeable, friendly staff and personalized gardening advice. It also offers delivery and planting help, plus landscape design support.Cons:
Gauld has a smaller review count than some major centres; it’s a local gem rather than a giant hub.Customer Quote:
“This nursery is fabulous … the staff is knowledgeable and helpful. I like that they have native plants such as witch hazel and serviceberry.”HowToGardenz Badge:
⭐ Yes — Officially certified by HowToGardenz for quality and customer care.
Rating: ⭐ 4.8 (3,600+ reviews)
Specialty:
Heeman’s is a family‑run garden centre with a huge seasonal plant inventory (annuals, perennials, berries & veggies), plus farm experience with strawberry picking.Pros:
It offers excellent plant health and selection, friendly, knowledgeable staff, and strong seasonal offerings.Cons:
It is very busy in spring/early summer and can sell out quickly on popular varieties.Customer Quote:
“Amazing plants and staff who genuinely care — I always leave with plants that thrive.”HowToGardenz Badge:
⭐ Yes — Featured as a top Ontario garden centre pick.
Rating: ⭐ 4.6 (3,800+ reviews)
Specialty:
Vandermeer is one of the most reviewed garden centres in Ontario with a huge seasonal plant line, garden decor, and landscape supplies.Pros:
It has a vast selection of flowers, shrubs & trees; reliable quality; strong customer service.Cons:
Its large size means it can feel busy/overwhelming in peak season.Customer Quote:
“Great variety, competitive prices, and the team always helps me choose the right plants.”
Rating: ⭐ 4.8 (1,600+ reviews)
Specialty:
Robert Plante is a massive greenhouse complex with a wide range of annuals, perennials and ornamentals.Pros:
It has excellent plant quality, a beautiful greenhouse environment, and a long season.Cons:
Parking can be tight on busy weekends, and it can be quite crowded during its seasonal peak.Customer Quote:
“Fantastic greenhouse experience — plants are healthy, and staff are very helpful.”
Rating: ⭐ 4.8 (600+ reviews)
Specialty:
10 and 10 is a boutique garden centre with quality nursery stock, flowers, and seasonal garden goods.Pros:
It offers high‑end plant stock, excellent service, and a strong local reputation (Quality Business Awards winner).Cons:
It has a smaller footprint than bigger centres, so there are limited landscape supplies.Customer Quote: “One of the best nurseries around — always healthy plants and great advice.”
Rating: ⭐ 4.8 (430+ reviews)
Specialty:
Colour Paradise is a greenhouse with vibrant seasonal annuals, hanging baskets, perennials, veggies and specialty plants.Pros:
It’s known for its friendly service and strong bouquets and ornamental selection. It is a community favourite.Cons:
It has a smaller review base than the big hubs and seasonal hours.Customer Quote:
“Beautiful plants and terrific staff — my go‑to for annuals every spring.”
Rating: ⭐ 4.7 (320+ reviews)
Specialty:
Sandhill is a Northern Ontario nursery focusing on hardy plants suited for cooler climates.Pros:
It has a great region‑specific selection with excellent tree and shrub stock.Cons:
It is smaller than some big centres and has seasonal limitations in winter.Customer Quote:
“Perfect place for tough plants that do well here — knowledgeable team.”
Rating: ⭐ 4.7 (500+ reviews)
Specialty:
Belgian Nursery is a well‑regarded nursery with a strong variety of annuals, perennials, shrubs and garden plants.Pros:
It boasts healthy plants, a good selection, and a quieter greenhouse.Cons:
It has a smaller physical space relative to premium centres.Customer Quote:
“Fantastic nursery — always healthy plants and helpful staff.”
Rating: ⭐ 4.6 (420+ reviews)
Specialty:
Glen Echo is a family‑owned nursery with ornamentals, perennials, shrubs and more.Pros:
It has quality stock and a scenic property. and helpful staff.Cons:
It can be pricier on certain items.Customer Quote:
“Quality plants and great service — worth the trip.”
Rating: ⭐ 4.5 (1,100+ reviews)
Specialty:
Bradford is a large garden centre with seasonal plants, garden decor and landscape features.Pros:
It has a wide selection and strong decor offerings.Cons:
It has mixed reviews on plant availability late in the season.Customer Quote:
“Huge selection and great seasonal items — always find something unique.”
Rating: ⭐ 4.5 (840+ reviews)
Specialty:
Canadale is a long‑standing nursery with extensive plant varieties and garden supplies.Pros:
It offers good plant quality, knowledgeable staff, and is loved in the local community.Cons:
It can be very busy on weekends.Customer Quote:
“Best local garden centre around — plants always do well when I plant them.”
Rating: ⭐ 4.5 (590+ reviews)
Specialty:
Harper’s is a full‑service garden centre with plants, landscaping materials and seasonal products.Pros:
It has a good variety, helpful employees, and is a solid option for landscaping projects.Cons:
Its selection is smaller than larger centres.Customer Quote:
“Great local spot — staff really know their plants.”
Rating: ⭐ 4.5 (220+ reviews)
Specialty:
Cambridge is a garden centre with soil, mulch, stone and plant stock. It’s great for landscaping builders as well as home gardeners.Pros:
It boasts landscape supplies as well as plants and friendly staff.Cons:
It has a smaller plant selection than specialty nurseries.Customer Quote:
“Good variety and very helpful team — perfect for garden basics.”
Final Thoughts: Finding the Best Garden Centre in Ontario
With so many excellent garden centres across the province, Ontario gardeners are spoiled for choice. Whether you’re searching for expert advice, native plants, hardy perennials, or simply the healthiest plants available, the best garden centres in Ontario all share a few things in common: knowledgeable staff, well-cared-for plants, and a genuine passion for helping customers succeed in their gardens.
The garden centres featured in this list stand out not just because of their Google reviews, but because of the consistent experiences gardeners share — quality plants, helpful guidance, and places they return to year after year. If you see the HowToGardenz Badge of Approval, it’s an extra sign that the garden centre meets high standards for plant quality, customer service, and gardening expertise.
The Best Garden Centre in Niagara - Gauld Nurseries
If you’re located in the Niagara region, we highly recommend visiting Gauld Nurseries in Niagara Falls. Known for their experienced staff, beautiful nursery grounds, and strong selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, and native plants, Gauld Nurseries is a trusted local garden centre that helps gardeners of all experience levels succeed. It’s a great example of what makes a truly great garden centre, and a proud holder of the HowToGardenz Badge of Approval.
What Gauld Nurseries Customers Are Saying…
“We would highly recommend Gauld Nurseries. We've used them over the past several seasons and have been beyond satisfied each and every time. From Alex's and Paula's expertise and knowledge in planning to the many hard working crews. Everyone is professional, courteous and efficient. We absolutely love spending time outdoors enjoying the beauty of their work. They've truly transformed our yard which brings us so much joy.
There is no else we would rather call. Thank-you Gauld!” - Lucia L
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