Featured Member
Kingsdene Nurseries and Garden Center
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ingsdene Nurseries and Garden Center in Monkton, Md., is a “proudly independent” enterprise that focuses on gardening. Started in 1977 by John Mays, Kingsdene is a “real” working nursery, not just a retail sales yard. Here you will find plants and plantsmen, Certified Professional Horticulturalists who understand the nature and needs of every plant in the nursery. These state-certified professionals love to “talk plants” and are glad to help customers find the right tree, shrub or perennial for their gardens. “Our customer service sets us apart from the box stores,” said General Manager Jason Sersen. “Our staff will help you find just what you need for the right spot. Like a personal shopper, we will stick with you for the whole visit if you wish.” Of course, customers are free to wander and just enjoy the beautiful plants and gift shop. Selection and quality also set Kingsdene apart. “We’re very focused on quality. If your plants don’t look good, why be in business?” Sersen asked. Kingsdene has a fine selection of plants, including the latest new varieties, growing beautifully in containers on 5 acres of open land under optimum nursery conditions. The selection ranges from top quality fruit, evergreen, deciduous and specialty trees; evergreen, deciduous and flowering shrubs; hardy perennials; and annuals for every season. There are native plants, grasses, ferns and vines to choose from and hanging baskets to add a splash of color. The plant list changes constantly. “We try to specialize in a diversity of plant selection,” Sersen said. “In particular, we like to have plants that other places don’t have, varieties that may be hard to find.” He continued, “The only plants we do not offer are aquatics. That’s a niche market. They take different care, different expertise. We focus on hardy gardening 36 • Winter 2019
plants for the Mid-Atlantic.” You will also find all the accessories it takes to make your plants happy and healthy: gloves, tools, insect control, mulch, compost. What you won’t find are lawn mowers and charcoal or gas grills. Kingsdene does not stock hardscape materials for DIY landscaping projects such as patios and stone walls, but it does have a landscape division that will install hardscaping, one job at a time. Delivery is available within about a 20-mile radius, Sersen said. “We can do installation. We can do the complete, top-to-bottom job if a customer wants something special.” That offer does not include lawn service. Kingsdene goes all out for Christmas, offering “sap free,” pre-cut Christmas trees. “We sell 600 trees a year,” Sersen said. “We offer complimentary trunk trimming, baling, loading, and tie down. Bring your tree stand, we’ll make sure it fits. We even have services to deliver your Christmas tree and set it up if you’d like. But no decorating.” You can choose lights and ornaments for your tree or home from the most beautiful Christmas shop in northern Baltimore County. Baltimore magazine voted Kingsdene Nurseries “one of the best places to shop for Christmas in the Baltimore area” two years in a row. From November through early January, Kingsdene has room after room of tastefully decorated trees, gift and decorating ideas, and trimmings for the home, making shopping a pleasant experience for the whole family. In addition to trees, there are fresh wreaths, swags, roping, poinsettias, and more. As with the plant inventory, the gift shop changes constantly in an effort to provide local, seasonal products that are functional and fun. Among those products are Bates Family Goatmilk Products and (continued on next page)
