Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Garden Center in Charlottesville
Founded in 1975 by Clare and George Carter, Ivy Nursery has become a trusted name in horticulture and landscape design. Our founders, both holding Master's Degrees in Landscape Architecture from the University of Virginia, established the nursery on three core principles: offering the healthiest plants, employing knowledgeable and compassionate staff, and providing expert horticultural advice. Located on seven acres along Scenic Route 250 West, we serve Charlottesville and surrounding areas with a comprehensive range of gardening products and services. Our landscape contracting division handles projects of all scales, from small residential plantings to large institutional developments, with George Carter personally overseeing every project.Over four decades of operation, we have built a reputation for reliability, having never missed a deadline or faced a client dispute. Our greenhouse and retail operations provide year-round access to trees, shrubs, roses, annuals, perennials, and seasonal decorations. Customer testimonials consistently highlight our staff's expertise, the quality of our plants, and the personalized service we deliver. We maintain strong relationships with local institutions, including the University of Virginia and Martha Jefferson Hospital, through ongoing landscaping projects. Our commitment to community extends to creating safe, beautiful spaces that enhance both residential and commercial environments.
Services
Landscape Contracting
Plant Sales
Greenhouse Services
Gift Cards
Landscaping Advice
Christmas Trees
Wreaths
Indoor Plants
Roses
Perennials
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- Founders hold Master's Degrees in Landscape Architecture from the University of Virginia
- 40+ years of continuous operation with proven reliability
- George Carter personally oversees every landscaping project
- Never missed a deadline or faced a client dispute in 40 years
- Specialized expertise in both residential and institutional projects
What people say
Beautiful plants
Expert advice
Kind staff
Amazing transformation
Graciously shared expertise
Services
Landscape Contracting
Our landscape contracting division handles projects of all scales, from small residential plantings to large institutional developments. George Carter personally oversees every project, ensuring quality execution and adherence to design specifications. With 40+ years of experience, we've completed notable projects for the University of Virginia, Martha Jefferson Hospital, and Monticello Visitor's Center.
Plant Sales
We offer a comprehensive selection of trees, shrubs, roses, annuals, and perennials cultivated for optimal health and vitality. Our inventory includes both common and specialty plants to meet diverse landscaping needs. All plants are maintained in our greenhouse by staff with extensive horticultural expertise.
Greenhouse Services
Our greenhouse operation provides year-round access to premium quality plants and seasonal decorations. Staff with advanced degrees in landscape architecture offer expert advice on plant selection and care. We specialize in both indoor and outdoor plant maintenance solutions for residential clients.
Gift Cards
We offer gift cards for our full range of gardening products and services, including plant purchases and landscaping projects. Our retail location features unique garden accents, holiday decorations, and specialty gifts. Gift card recipients receive personalized assistance from our knowledgeable staff.
Landscaping Advice
Our team provides expert horticultural advice for both residential and commercial clients. With founders holding Master's Degrees in Landscape Architecture, we offer design consultations and plant selection guidance. We help clients create sustainable, aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces tailored to their specific needs.
People
Clare Carter
Co-Founder
Co-founder of Ivy Nursery with a Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Virginia. Provides expert gardening advice and oversees retail operations. Known for creating beautiful seasonal displays and maintaining high plant quality standards.
George Carter
Co-Founder & Landscape Architect
Co-founder and lead landscape architect with a Master's Degree from the University of Virginia. Personally oversees all contracting projects and provides design expertise. Recognized for completing 40+ years of projects without missing deadlines or client disputes.
Questions
What services does Ivy Nursery offer?
We provide landscape contracting, plant sales, greenhouse services, and horticultural advice. Our offerings include trees, shrubs, roses, annuals, perennials, indoor plants, and seasonal decorations.
What are Ivy Nursery's operating hours?
We're open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM for outdoor shopping, delivery, and online orders. We're closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Where is Ivy Nursery located?
Our nursery occupies seven acres on Scenic Route 250 West, three miles west of the University of Virginia and a quarter mile west of The Boar's Head Inn.
Can Ivy Nursery help with large landscaping projects?
Yes, our landscape contracting division handles projects from small residential plantings to large institutional developments, with George Carter personally overseeing every project since 1975.
Reviews (7)
Nancy Bronez
Jun 05, 2022
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Best nursery ever! Excellent quality stock AND knowledgeable staff who take lots of time to answer questions, help you find what you want AND customer service is over the top from everyone on staff. As an avid gardener, this is my definition of heaven.
G. S.
May 25, 2022
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Nice nursery with a varied selection of plants. I was surprised not to see or find a handicapped parking space. I thought that they are required by law.
Stacy Roach
Jul 21, 2021
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This is a well stocked nursery and a helpful staff. The only thing I don't agree with is how you have to wait outside under a hot tent to pay for your items. You can walk freely around and come in contact with all the workers on the property and hand them your credit card to go make your payment but you can't go inside. If I have anything contagious the second I hand you my credit card and you go inside you have lost any protection you had from catching it.
Destiny L.
Apr 09, 2021
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This is a very well kept nursery just on the very west side of Charlottesville towards Crozet that has plenty to offer any gardener, beginner or advanced. They sell all sorts of plants including perineal, annuals, fruit trees and bushes, veggie garden supplies, tropical plants, air plants, succulents and even ginormous trees for landscaping at very reasonable prices! Most of their inventory if not all, is organic including soil offerings, and supplies. You should definitely check this place out if you love gardening as much as I do, or need basic supplies!
Edie Growden
Dec 04, 2020
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I will not waste my time elsewhere, ever again! My mother frequented Ivy Nursery, and I never seemed to get there! Well, my son and I ventured there today after a doctor's appointment. The perennials are not as expensive as places near where we live!. And they are top quality, big and beautiful. We also bought TWO AMERICAN HOLlY TREES that we were in the market for. Reasonably priced, but this nursery has" pay dirt" that they highly recommend in the success of your plants, told me how much is needed, and also gave me their own instructions on having success with our planting! I've never gotten this personal of service with any other nursery! We will go nowhere else now that we've discovered this gem! They're stuck with this family. This is a most awesome nursery
Ellen Brennan
Apr 05, 2020
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Got some great deals there ranging from trees to small potted flowers. All the staff was friendly and knowledgeable, answering questions on how to grow and maintain each plant I asked about. The place is really big, the variety is good and mostly local. In general more expensive than Lowes or Walmart but they had some great plants on clearance, and I left assured what I got was good quality. And if any plants weren't doing super well, they had them sectioned off where they could give them special care. Will definitely go back!
David Lapinski
Dec 12, 2019
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Heard great things about service at Ivy Nursery. Service was great, but Christmas tree we took home must have been on cut down 6 weeks ago. Needles are falling off and a lot of brown needles throughout the tree. For the price, i would have been better off going to Lowes.
