Find Exotic Edible Plants for Your Garden
By Steven Biggs
Looking for Exotic Edibles for Your Home Garden?
I get a lot of messages from people who are eager to grow a new exotic edible crop…but are not sure where to find it. I hope this list of plants suppliers helps you find what you’re looking for.
This list focuses on nurseries, garden centres, and other plant suppliers in Canada and the northern USA.
It’s a work in progress. If you know a supplier that should be on this list, e-mail me to let me know.
Get started with some shopping tips, below.
Tips When Shopping for Exotic Edible Plants
Here are tips to keep in mind as you get ready to shop for plants.
Delivery vs. Pick-Up
Large potted plants are expensive to ship! Delivery costs depend on the distance and the size of the plant.
If pick-up is an option, you might save money.
Mail-order sellers usually only ship spring through fall, when the temperature is warm enough for planting.
Seasonal Exotic Plant Availability
Some of these plant sellers are nurseries that propagate their own plants and have plants year-round.
Others are garden centres that carry less common plants seasonally.
For example, here in Southern Ontario, I often start to see California-grown potted citrus trees in garden centres in the spring. Then, selection usually declines through the season, and once they’re sold out, that’s it until the following year.
Cross-Border Shipments
Some nurseries and garden centres don’t ship plants out of country. That’s because sending plants across the border involves a lot of paperwork.
If you find an out-of-country vendor who does ship to your area, ask about any additional cost for inspections and paperwork. And check about the delay that inspections can cause for your order.
Canada Exotic Edibles
Looking for Canadian nurseries that sell exotic plants? Here’s a list of Canadian retailers of exotic plants. Remember: Not all nurseries grow their own plants, so if you want plants produced in Canada, ask the retailer.
Angelo’s Garden Centre
Vaughan, Ontario
This is a garden centre near me, in the Toronto area, that seasonally carries citrus trees, olive trees, and fig trees. (I got my first olive tree here!) Hear owner Carlo Amendolia tell the story of their 19-foot-high fig tree.
Brugmansia Quebec
St-Valérien de Milton, Québec
They have a good selection of citrus trees, figs, and, as the name suggests, Brugmansia—a.k.a. angel’s trumpet.
Exotic Fruit Nursery
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Citrus trees, hardy fruit trees, exotic fruit, and nut trees are their specialty.
Fiesta Gardens
Toronto, Ontario
We’re big fans of Fiesta Gardens, here in Toronto. This independent garden centre brings in some really cool plant material every year—and there are usually lemon trees and other citrus too.
Flora Exotica
Montreal, Quebec
They carry exotic plants and seeds and lots of unusual fruit.
Fruit Trees and More
North Saanich, British Columbia
This nursery and demonstration orchard specializes in plants for Mediterranean climates. Owner Bob Duncan was the inspiration for my book Grow Lemons Where You Think You Can’t. He grows citrus tree espaliers in his demonstration orchard, and has a big Meyer lemon espalier on his house.
Nutcracker Nursery
Maskinongé, Quebec
They carry a nice selection of citrus trees and figs. As the name suggests, they specialize in nuts and also other fruit (I’ve ordered plums and damsons here and was pleased with the quality of the plants.)
Phoenix Perennials
Richmond, British Columbia
This is an excellent mail-order nursery with unusual plants. (This is where I tracked down a grafted tomato-potato plant for my daughter!) They have a good selection of citrus trees.
Richters Herbs
Goodwood, Ontario
They carry both seeds and plants. Their greenhouses are open to the public, and it’s a fun place to browse. We came home with 19 types of mint after one visit. Lots of figs too.
Sage Garden Greenhouses
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Co-owner Dave Hanson has joined me to teach about exotic edibles and Mediterranean plants. He is a wealth of knowledge.
Tropic of Canada
Rodney, Ontario
Here you will find citrus, figs, and a fun mix of exotics.
Valleyview Gardens
Markham, Ontario
This Toronto-area garden centre has tropical plants year-round. When I was having trouble finding a yuzu citrus tree, this is where I found one.
USA Exotic Edibles
Edible Landscaping
Afton, Virginia
They stock citrus, fruit trees, fruit bushes, berries, and exotics.
Four Winds Growers
Winters, California
Four Winds specializes in semi-dwarf citrus trees.
Green Life
Phoenix, Arizona
Exotic trees and shrubs, the great many of them edible.
Logee’s
Danielson, Connecticut
As well as citrus, they have figs and other exotic fruit—and a ton of ornamentals. Their ponderosa lemon is over 100 years old!
McKenzie Farm
Scranton, South Carolina
Owner Stan McKenzie is passionate about cold-hardy citrus. Hear Stan tell us all about cold-hardy citrus on The Food Garden Life Show.
One Green World
Portland, Oregon
Here you will find a delicious mix of citrus trees, olives, figs, and lots of sub-tropical fruit.
Sam Hubert from One Green World joined us on the Food Garden Life show with top cold-hardy citrus picks. Find out Sam’s favourite cold-hardy citrus.
Well-Sweep Herb Farm
Port Murray, New Jersey
Lots of herbs, and a good selection of citrus.
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