This is the best garden center I have ever visited.

Reason's you should come here:
+Enormous selection in their greenhouse
+Even larger selection in the sprawling outdoor area
+Friendly and helpful staff
+A BBQ cart randomly pulled up during my first visit, and it was delicious
+The have what can only be described as a miniature park. You can basically walk a path with dozens and dozens of different rooted plants that aren't for sale (yet are labeled).There is also a small bridge, a koi pond, and tons of butterflies. Practically worth it to go here just for this...

For 11 years, I worked in my parents' hardware store. During that time, I developed a huge interest in paint, and a huge distaste of gardening. When I moved here, I lived in a small condo in Arlington with no garden - PERFECT!

Fast forward four years, and I'm now the owner of a townhouse with a front yard. The previous owners left us with a couple of Azaleas (one died), a rose, and some other random shrubs - some died, some survived (gotta love when a homeowner puts plants in to sell a place, then once they get a contract they give up on watering things).

Now, I guess you could say I have a bit of an ego. I want our house to have the nicest yard in the street (which isn't hard because our neighbors take no interest in their gardens at all).

But I have *no* idea. (I now regret taking no interest in gardening all those years :P)

After a few trips to Lowes and Home Depot, I gave up on seeking their advice, and hubby and I decided to go to Merrifield instead. All the staff who have helped us here have been extremely knowledgeable, very courteous, friendly, and definitely not pushy.

On Saturday, one of their staff gave us a 20 minute tour of the perennial section, giving us suggestions as to what would best work in our yard. She then suggested we write down some of our favorites, and look them up on line before making our final decision.

After that, she suggested we look at the shrubberies. There were hundreds! And the King Arthur in me was having a hard time finding one that wasn't too expensive. ;-)

Anyway, I love Merrifield. It's so inspiring. They are so knowledgeable and helpful at answering my n00b garden questions. I could spend *a lot* of money here!

Merrifield Garden Center is a Northern Virginia institution. I used to go on pony rides in the back about 25 years ago; perhaps they had some kind of garden event, or something... In any case, I have fond memories of the place, and is still delivers every time I've been back there since my childhood. I volunteer for a place in Georgetown that has a rear garden, and we ordered a lot of materials from MGC; everything was healthy and has flourished. My husband and I go to MGC every year to get our Christmas tree; they always have the best trees (great shapes and they last forever), and good customer service too. Way to go MGC!

Merrifield Garden Center is a Northern Virginia institution. I used to go on pony rides in the back about 25 years ago; perhaps they had some kind of garden event, or something... In any case, I have fond memories of the place, and is still delivers every time I've been back there since my childhood. I volunteer for a place in Georgetown that has a rear garden, and we ordered a lot of materials from MGC; everything was healthy and has flourished. My husband and I go to MGC every year to get our Christmas tree; they always have the best trees (great shapes and they last forever), and good customer service too. Way to go MGC!

Not just a garden center -- a destination! When I have out of town guests, I take them to the museums downtown, and the zoo, and...Merrifield Garden Center. A beautiful place to visit, even if you aren't planning to buy anything. However, if you are in the market for herbs, flowers, orchids, or vegetable plants, you will find the best quality in the area at this garden center.

This place is a must-see destination at Christmas. I have taken my son here for years to see the "real Santa" (and his amazing house) and I look forward to their incredibly beautiful Christmas displays of ornamented trees and poinsettias each year. They also sell live trees and gorgeous holly and evergreens.

If you are going to see the "real Santa," go at 5 pm Tues-Friday or 12 noon Saturday and Sunday to see his "press conference." He takes questions, recites poems, tells jokes, and leads a sing-a-long. It is so much fun. It is free to Santa, but the lines are long, though. You can eat inside Santa's house, so bring snacks and drinks, if you want.

In the summer, strolling among the fountains, koi fish ponds, and artfully arranged plant displays is a fun way to spend the afternoon.

The staff are expert and friendly.

Not just a garden center -- a destination! When I have out of town guests, I take them to the museums downtown, and the zoo, and...Merrifield Garden Center. A beautiful place to visit, even if you aren't planning to buy anything. However, if you are in the market for herbs, flowers, orchids, or vegetable plants, you will find the best quality in the area at this garden center.

This place is a must-see destination at Christmas. I have taken my son here for years to see the "real Santa" (and his amazing house) and I look forward to their incredibly beautiful Christmas displays of ornamented trees and poinsettias each year. They also sell live trees and gorgeous holly and evergreens.

If you are going to see the "real Santa," go at 5 pm Tues-Friday or 12 noon Saturday and Sunday to see his "press conference." He takes questions, recites poems, tells jokes, and leads a sing-a-long. It is so much fun. It is free to Santa, but the lines are long, though. You can eat inside Santa's house, so bring snacks and drinks, if you want.

In the summer, strolling among the fountains, koi fish ponds, and artfully arranged plant displays is a fun way to spend the afternoon.

The staff are expert and friendly.