While visitors to Columbia are only here for a while, there is a way to take part of the region back home with you. Columbia is full of garden shops and nurseries specializing in everything from tropical plants to heirloom varieties. Here are a few of our favorites.
Cayce Farmer’s Market
If you’re near Cayce, the Cayce Farmer’s Market is a must visit. The market has a huge selection of plants including hanging baskets and combo planters, baskets and pots. They also have a wide variety of vegetable plants and herbs. If you don’t want to wait for your fruits and veggies to grow, pick up a fresh produce box! If you’re in town in April, the Cayce Flower Show is a plant lover’s dream. The selections here are endless.
Jarrett’s Jungle
Searching for tropical or carnivorous plants – or a Venus fly trap? (Feed me Seymore! – I couldn’t resist) Jarrett’s Jungle in West Columbia has two greenhouses and a flower shop and is an unexpected delight. I addition to blooming plants, they make unusual flower arrangements including Japanese arranging and tropical flower arrangements from Hawaii.
Woodley’s Garden Center
Woodley’s Garden Center has a large selection of annual and perennial flowers, trees, shrubs and pottery. They also offer vegetable plants, South Carolina made Stout Ollie compost and custom containers. Pet parents, bring your animals with you! Woodley’s welcome pet shoppers, too. Explore the grounds with them and make sure they are photo ready as they love to take pictures of animals exploring the grounds.
Wingard’s Market
Wingard’s Market in Lexington is perfect for plants, produce and gifts. Open for more than 50 years, the garden center is located beneath sprawling century-old pecan trees. Visitors can stroll through the grounds and literally stop and smell the roses. Offerings include flowering annuals, trees, shrubs, flowers and native plants to South Carolina. There’s also a gift shop and farm fresh produce.
Gardener’s Outpost
Gardener’s Outpost is Columbia’s locally owned urban garden center and focuses on sustainable practices and organic products. The center uses organic products to reduce environmental harm and encourage a beneficial ecosystem. Products include in-season and in-bloom annuals and perennials, organic and heirloom variety vegetable starts, GMO free seeds, planters, pottery and unique gifts.
Leaf Lover's Plant Shop
Leaf Lover's in Lexington is the city's newest plant shop. Painted in a pastel pink and filled to the brim with beautiful and unique plants, this female owned small business is sure to be a favorite of both novice and experienced plant parents. Chat with the knowledgeable owner about plant care and pick up everything you need all in one place.