Baldwin's is blooming nicely despite the wet spring

Despite it being a very wet and cool month of May so far, things are blooming nicely at Baldwin's Nurseries. It's been a very busy time, first with the successful and hectic Saltscapes Expo, and now with some changes to the nursery property.  

In the nursery trade, we often remark that cool, wet weather brings out the serious gardeners, the ones who like to take their time looking through nursery stock, chat with staff about challenges and interests in their garden, without a lot of rushing around. There's certainly lots to see around our nursery right now, from the early-blooming rhododendrons like the PJMs,

To the blazing colours of the quinces, with their showy pink, red, or scarlet flowers.

This seems to be an outstanding year for magnolia bloom around the province, as we're hearing reports of fantastic bloom on most people's trees and shrubs. The Leonard Messills have been fantastic for us this spring, with a rich display of colour.

We've brought in some new Japanese maples for those with a fondness for these handsome, colourful trees. The cutleaf varieties are especially popular.

We have a selection of hostas, which are beloved by many shade gardeners but also work well in container plantings, or as border plants around trees and shrubs.

One of our favourite flower-and-foliage plants this year is Dicentra 'Burning Hearts' bleeding heart. Its lacy, blue-green foliage contrasts nicely with the rich crimson-red heartshaped flowers. This is a low-growing variety that spreads gradually, and blooms for a long time.

Last year tree peonies were especially popular, and we have brought in more this year. These are magnificent plants, taking a few years to get well established, but even with only a few blooms they are showstopping and wonderful.

These photos represent only a very tiny portion of what's in bloom, or what's in bud, at Baldwin Nurseries. We're open 7 days a week, and we look forward to helping you get inspired about your garden landscape. Don't worry about the rain--it will stop one of these days. It always does. And we're always glad to see you, rain or shine.

See You at Saltscapes Expo!

Some days it sure feels like spring of late, other days...not so much. But this is the season of colour and fragrance, and plants seem to be mostly on schedule with other years. This photo of Rob with 'Ramapo' rhododendrons is from last year, and a little later in the spring, so don't panic--we're just trying to get you excited about this spring!

Things are hopping around the nursery as we get ready for the 7th annual Saltscapes Expo. Baldwin's Nursery has been attending since the second year, and we're happy to be at this uniquely Atlantic Canadian show again this year. We can't say for sure what we'll be bringing along for plants, but there could be a fragrant viburnum...

A Japanese maple or two...maybe some seedlings?

Perhaps a magnolia that's just ready to burst into flower...

Or one of the amazing tree peonies we're carrying...

Some of the hellebores, like 'Winter Jewel Apricot Shades'

Though we probably won't be bringing any along, we're carrying a variety of spring ephemerals this year, including the delicately lovely bloodroot (Sanguinaria).

Or this unusual dapple-leafed red trillium.

The Saltscapes Expo runs from Friday, April 29, 12 noon-9 pm; Saturday, 30 April, 9am-6 pm, and Sunday, 1 May, 10 am-5 pm. Please come and say hello to us, and have a look at some of the great plants we have for sale this year! We hope to see you this weekend. Now, back to working with the nursery.

Tree giveaway continues all May!

The weather has been unsettled the past few days, with huge gales of wind, erratic showers, and downright chilly temperatures at times. Despite this, spring is charging ahead in Nova Scotia, including at our nursery. The early rhododendrons and deciduous azaleas are starting to bloom, which makes gardeners and bees very happy.

If you have a small property and want to try a tough little rhododendron that gives great colour and is attractive even after its bloom is past, one of our favourites is 'Ramapo.' It's hardy to zone 5 and likes moist, but well drained acidic soil with plenty of organic matter. You can grow this cultivar in sun to partial shade. Expect Ramapo to grow anywhere between 1-3 feet in height, and 2-4 feet wide.

One of the showstoppers at the recent Saltscapes East Coast Expo was the display of tree peonies we had at our booth. Many people could not believe that something this exotically gorgeous could thrive and bloom in Nova Scotia, but it can. Unlike our ordinary herbaceous peonies, this one develops woody branches and trunk and produces huge flowers the size of dinner plates. You have to protect it overwinter for the first couple of years as its roots get established; you do this by putting a large pot over the plant late in the autum, and removing it in early spring once the risk of serious frosts is past.We'll have more to say about these wonderful, exotic plants in a future post.


We have been enlarging our retail area with a few sitting areas and some unique garden art. These give your garden an air of mystery and yet tranquility; I want one home in my own garden but I guess I'll be negotiating a pay settlement. Plants and garden art make great currency to copy writers,Just saying.

Because the weather has been cranky the past few days and it hasn't been so nice for working outside, we've decided to extend Tree Giveaway until of the merry Month o' May. We like to do this to let our clients know we appreciate them. So come down and and visit Baldwin Nurseris, just about 6 kilmetres from the highway. So come on down and visit us to have a look at ourgreat looking nursery stock. We'r sure you'll find a few shrus, a handlfu of perennials, herb and tomato kitchen gardens maybe the perfect tree for your garden. While you're hear, chek out the trees, and ask for your tree donation. You never know what bonus plant might climb into your truck before you leave. It happpens a lot here at Baldwin's.

We have a special on every week here at the nursery:this year it inclues the 'Ramapo' rhododendrons as well as Japanese maple seedlings that Robert has grown on from seed. They're healthy and hardy and only 15.00, the perfect way to test your garden and try these marvelous jewel-toned foliage for yourself. There's plenty new to see every time you visit, and we hope to see you on a regular basis!

Welcome to Baldwin Nurseries!

Welcome to the official launch of the Baldwin Nurseries blog. Baldwin Nurseries is located in Upper Falmouth, Nova Scotia, just outside of Windsor.

Baldwin Nurseries has been in operation since 1995, and we specialize in shrubs, trees, and perennials suitable for the maritime gardener. We have more than 5 acres of potted trees, shrubs and perennials available for the home gardener as well as for professional landscapers.

Spring is a little early in Nova Scotia this year, but we're ready for it with a huge selection of flowering shrubs, broadleaf and coniferous evergreens, Japanese maples, and interesting perennials such as this tree peony. We're open 7 days a week, 9 am to 5 pm. You can click here for directions to our nursery.

Over the coming weeks we'll be developing this blog with information on current events, sales, profiles of special plants, and more. If you are looking for something special, come and see us--we pride ourselves on carrying a wide selection of well-grown, healthy, and interesting plants, so there's usually something for every gardener.
Here's the nursery owner, Robert Baldwin, industriously watering a collection of golden Japanese Forest Grass, Hakenechloa 'All Gold'. This is just one of many ornamental perennial grasses available at the nursery. Come and visit!