December marks a magical time for gardeners across Ohio, even as winter settles over the Buckeye State.
Garden stores throughout the region are buzzing with activity, offering everything from fragrant holiday trees to hardy winter plants that can survive the cold months ahead.
Whether you’re searching for the perfect Christmas tree, planning your early spring garden, or looking for unique gifts, Ohio’s garden centers have something special waiting for you this season.
Oakland Nursery — Columbus
Oakland Nursery has been serving Columbus gardeners since 1940, making it one of the most trusted names in Ohio horticulture.
Their December selection includes fresh-cut Fraser firs, blue spruces, and Concolor firs that fill the air with that unmistakable holiday scent.
Beyond Christmas trees, they stock cold-hardy pansies and ornamental kale that add splashes of color to winter landscapes.
You can find this beloved nursery at 1156 Oakland Park Avenue in Columbus, where their knowledgeable staff helps customers select the perfect evergreens.
Early spring pre-orders are already available for bare-root roses, fruit trees, and perennial favorites that will ship in March.
Their indoor greenhouse stays cozy warm, showcasing poinsettias in every shade from classic red to creamy white and marbled pink.
Wreaths made from fresh balsam and adorned with pinecones make excellent gifts or front door decorations.
The nursery also carries winterizing supplies like burlap wraps and anti-desiccant sprays to protect vulnerable shrubs from harsh winds.
Families love visiting on weekends when hot cocoa and cookies are sometimes offered.
Oakland Nursery truly captures the spirit of the season while helping gardeners plan ahead for spring blooms.
Petitti Garden Centers — Multiple Locations
With over a dozen locations across northern Ohio, Petitti Garden Centers make holiday shopping convenient no matter where you live.
Their December inventory features living Christmas trees in containers that can be planted in your yard after the holidays.
Norfolk Island pines serve as excellent tabletop alternatives for apartment dwellers or those wanting smaller holiday decorations.
One popular location sits at 33777 Chester Rd, Avon, offering easy access for Cleveland-area shoppers.
Winter jasmine and hellebores are available for gardeners wanting to add early-blooming interest to their landscapes.
The staff excels at helping customers understand which plants can survive Ohio’s unpredictable winter weather patterns.
Pre-order catalogs for spring bulbs, vegetable seedlings, and annual flats are ready for browsing at the service desk.
Amaryllis bulbs in decorative pots make impressive gifts that bloom indoors throughout the winter months.
Their garden décor section includes frost-proof containers, birdfeeders, and winter-themed yard art.
Weekend workshops teach wreath-making and container gardening techniques perfect for the season.
Petitti’s commitment to quality and customer education has made them a household name throughout the region.
Natorp’s Garden Center — Cincinnati
Natorp’s has been a Cincinnati institution since 1890, bringing five generations of horticultural expertise to southwestern Ohio.
December visitors discover an impressive selection of Nordmann firs known for their excellent needle retention throughout the holiday season.
The greenhouse overflows with cyclamen, Christmas cacti, and paperwhites that brighten homes during the darkest months.
Located at 8601 Snider Rd in Mason, this family-run business treats every customer like a neighbor.
Their winter plant selection includes evergreen shrubs like boxwoods and hollies that provide year-round structure to garden beds.
Pre-ordering for spring allows gardeners to reserve heirloom tomato varieties and specialty herbs before they sell out.
The store’s holiday shop features handcrafted ornaments, garden-themed gifts, and locally made honey and preserves.
Winterberry hollies with their brilliant red berries attract birds while adding dramatic color to snowy landscapes.
Staff members offer free advice on protecting tender perennials and preparing gardens for spring planting.
Their loyalty program rewards frequent shoppers with discounts and early access to seasonal sales.
Natorp’s remains committed to sustainable practices and supporting local growers whenever possible.
Groovy Plants Ranch — Marengo
Groovy Plants Ranch offers something completely different from typical garden centers, specializing in unusual and hard-to-find specimens.
Their December focus includes rare evergreen varieties like weeping blue Atlas cedars and dwarf conifers perfect for small spaces.
Winter-blooming witch hazels with their fragrant, ribbon-like flowers provide unexpected beauty during cold months.
You’ll find this unique nursery at 4160 County Road 15 in Marengo, nestled in rural north-central Ohio.
Owner Mike Pascoe personally selects each plant, ensuring customers receive healthy specimens with excellent growth potential.
Their pre-order program includes Japanese maples, rare hostas, and native wildflowers that ship when weather conditions are ideal.
The ranch atmosphere makes shopping feel like a countryside adventure rather than a typical retail experience.
Hellebores in shades of purple, green, and burgundy offer early spring blooms that often push through snow.
Educational signs throughout the property teach visitors about proper planting techniques and winter plant care.
The gift shop stocks gardening books, quality tools, and plant-themed artwork from local artisans.
Visiting Groovy Plants Ranch feels like discovering a hidden treasure where plant lovers gather.
Strader’s Garden Centers — Columbus Area
Strader’s operates multiple locations around Columbus, each stocked with premium holiday trees and winter gardening essentials.
Douglas firs dominate their December tree selection, prized for their soft needles and classic Christmas tree shape.
Living wreaths planted with succulents provide long-lasting decorations that continue growing after the holidays end.
Their Riverside location at 5350 Riverside Drive offers convenient access for western Columbus suburbs.
Winter vegetable starts like kale, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts thrive in Ohio’s cool season when properly established.
The staff provides detailed care instructions for maintaining indoor plants through winter’s dry, heated air.
Early spring pre-orders include seed potatoes, onion sets, and asparagus crowns for eager vegetable gardeners.
Decorative birch logs bundled with festive ribbons make charming additions to fireplace displays or outdoor containers.
Their selection of winter-interest plants features red-twig dogwoods and yellow-twig willows that glow against snowy backgrounds.
Garden gift certificates are popular presents for the plant lovers on your shopping list.
Strader’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has earned them loyal followers throughout central Ohio.
Bremec Garden Center — Chesterland
Bremec Garden Center brings upscale gardening and holiday décor to northeastern Ohio with their impressive Chesterland location.
Their tree lot features premium specimens including Grand firs and Noble firs shipped fresh from Pacific Northwest farms.
Indoor tropical plants like orchids and bromeliads add exotic flair to homes during gray Ohio winters.
Find them at 12265 Chillicothe Road in Chesterland, where their expansive facility houses both outdoor and indoor shopping areas.
December workshops cover topics like forcing bulbs indoors and creating living centerpieces for holiday tables.
Their winter-hardy plant selection includes rhododendrons and mountain laurels that provide evergreen structure and spring blooms.
Pre-order catalogs showcase specialty dahlias, gladiolus, and summer-blooming bulbs for delivery in spring.
The holiday shop resembles a winter wonderland with designer ornaments, elegant ribbons, and sophisticated decorating supplies.
Bremec’s greenhouse maintains perfect growing conditions for tender plants like African violets and begonias.
Their garden design services help homeowners plan complete landscape renovations for spring installation.
Loyalty rewards and seasonal promotions make premium plants more accessible to budget-conscious gardeners.
Wilson’s Garden Center — Newark, Ohio
Wilson’s Garden Center has served central Ohio gardeners for decades, offering an impressive year-round selection of plants, décor, and seasonal specialties.
Families visiting in December find fragrant Fraser firs, tabletop evergreens, and fresh-cut wreaths arranged throughout the outdoor lot.
Inside the greenhouse, winter-blooming favorites like poinsettias, kalanchoes, and indoor ferns thrive in warm, humid air.
Located at 10923 Lambs Lane in Newark, this expansive garden center draws shoppers from across Licking County and beyond.
Their knowledgeable staff helps customers choose hardy shrubs and perennials that can withstand Ohio’s freeze-thaw cycles.
Early spring pre-orders include berry bushes, fruit trees, and hardy roses selected for strong Midwestern performance.
The holiday market features handmade ornaments, gardening tools, and thoughtfully curated gifts for plant lovers.
Workshops throughout the season teach techniques like creating evergreen porch pots and caring for houseplants during winter.
Their perennial yard showcases winter-interest plants such as red-osier dogwoods, evergreen grasses, and hardy hellebores.
A generous rewards program provides returning customers with coupons, special previews, and seasonal promotions.
Wilson’s commitment to education and community involvement has made them a trusted destination for gardeners of all experience levels.
Bzak Landscaping & Garden Center
Bzak Landscaping & Garden Center brings welcoming, small-town charm to the eastern Cincinnati suburb of Milford with its warm atmosphere and well-curated plant selection.
Their December offerings include fresh-cut firs and spruces ideal for holiday decorating, along with compact tabletop evergreens suited to smaller homes or office spaces.
Cold-tolerant pansies and hardy violas brighten winter gardens with cheerful color despite fluctuating temperatures.
Located at 931 Round Bottom Road in Milford, this family-friendly garden center invites shoppers to explore both heated greenhouses and outdoor displays.
Winter-blooming hellebores add elegant blossoms to shaded corners and perform reliably through Ohio’s coldest months.
Pre-ordering early-spring plants allows customers to reserve high-demand varieties before the busy planting season begins.
Their assortment of container-grown evergreens includes compact spruces and junipers perfect for patios and entryways.
Handcrafted wreaths and seasonal porch pots provide unique décor options not typically found in big-box retailers.
Bzak’s pet-friendly policy encourages families to bring well-behaved dogs along for the shopping experience.
A curated selection of gardening tools, decorative containers, and winter accents helps customers create inviting home and landscape displays.
Bzak’s commitment to quality and knowledgeable guidance makes it a trusted destination for gardeners throughout southwest Ohio.
Cahoon Nursery – Avon Lake
Cahoon Nursery brings timeless charm to the lakeside community of Avon Lake, offering a carefully curated selection of plants and seasonal décor.
Their December tree lot features fresh-cut firs and spruces known for long-lasting fragrance and sturdy, well-shaped branches.
Cold-hardy winter pansies and ornamental cabbages brighten porch pots even as temperatures dip below freezing.
Located at 27630 Detroit Road in Avon Lake, this welcoming garden center provides easy access for Cleveland’s western suburbs.
Winter-blooming hellebores supply elegant color when most garden plants remain dormant.
Early spring pre-orders allow customers to reserve favorite perennials, specialty shrubs, and flowering annuals before the season begins.
Their assortment of container evergreens includes dwarf spruces, compact arborvitae, and other space-saving varieties suited for patios and entryways.
Handcrafted wreaths and festive porch pots created by the Cahoon design team add personalized style to holiday décor.
Friendly staff members help shoppers choose plants based on sun exposure, soil type, and individual maintenance preferences.
A selection of pottery, garden accents, and winter-themed décor makes it easy to create welcoming home and outdoor displays.
Cahoon Nursery’s long-standing commitment to quality and community has made it a trusted destination for gardeners along Ohio’s western shoreline.
Gale’s Garden Center — Willoughby Hills, Ohio
Gale’s Garden Center brings trusted gardening expertise to the eastern suburbs of Cleveland with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a wide seasonal selection.
Their December tree lot features fresh-cut firs and spruces admired for their long-lasting fragrance and strong branches ideal for holiday ornaments.
Cold-hardy winter pansies and ornamental cabbages brighten outdoor containers even during frosty weather.
Located at 2730 SOM Center Road in Willoughby Hills, this convenient garden center offers easy access for shoppers throughout Lake and Cuyahoga counties.
Winter-blooming hellebores add refined color when most garden plants lie dormant beneath Ohio’s snow and ice.
Customers can secure spring favorites early by participating in Gale’s pre-order program, which includes specialty perennials, flowering shrubs, and popular vegetable starts.
Their assortment of container-grown evergreens features compact junipers and dwarf spruces perfect for patios, decks, and entryway displays.
Handcrafted wreaths and festive porch pots, made in-house by Gale’s creative team, provide personalized options for holiday decorating.
Experienced staff members guide shoppers in selecting plants suited to specific light levels, soil types, and seasonal care needs.
A curated collection of garden tools, pottery, and winter décor helps customers create inviting spaces both indoors and out.
Gale’s long-standing dedication to quality and customer satisfaction has made it a favorite destination for gardeners across northeast Ohio.