Spring, Where Art Thou?

If you have one of those days where your impatience for spring to get here is just too much,  there are two options. Option one is to head to Hotel Greene for a round of mini-golf and a cocktail or two. If you’ve never been, it looks like a set David Lynch and Wes Anderson colaborated on after one too many scotch and sodas. If playing golf in an old hotel while servers bring you drinks doesn't feel like spring, I don’t know what does. 

Actually, option two may be a little more on point. A guaranteed way to shake off the winter blues is to stroll around one of Richmond’s indoor nurseries and surround yourself with humidity and tropical plants. Even if you are just window shopping, it’s a great mood booster. Plus, you always have room for one more plant, someone you know would appreciate a green leafy gift. 

Great Big Greenhouse remains my favorite location for winter plant shopping. It’s a great spot to wander through, and of the places I frequent they have the largest variety of houseplants. On my last visit their cactus and succulent section was overflowing with new varieties, and if you’ve ever thought about making your own bonsai, their plant inventory for shallow containers is impressive. 

Another large greenhouse worth a wander is Strange's Florists in Short Pump. You can easily spend an hour wandering the aisles. It has a large selection of houseplants, and the best selection of pots and planters in town, so it’s a great one stop shop. 

For a quick stop in a small shop, there is always Sneed’s Nursery on Huguenot. Their winter shop is tiny compared to GBG and Strange’s, but it’s very well curated and a great spot to gift shop. Also keep your eye out for Cricket the cat, the coolest of cool cats. If you’re not a cat person, it’s because you’ve never met Cricket.

Back in the day they were a little shop in Carytown called Tropical Treehouse, now they are a full service nursery on the southside called Cross Creek Nursery. Their house plant selection is smaller than GBG and Stranges, but they had some really hard to find plants at reasonable prices.  The outside grounds are nice to stroll around, and bring a treat for the goats on the property!

So don’t let the winter blues get you down. As my aunt Petunia used to say, what’s good for the soil is good for the soul. 

Stay safe, stay warm, enjoy!