Business Details
Your Trusted Nursery & Garden Center in Manchester, CT
Woodland Gardens has been a cornerstone of Connecticut's horticultural community since the late 1930s. Founded by John Zapadka as a small pansy-growing operation, we have expanded into an eight-acre facility featuring 16 greenhouses and a full-service retail store. As a family-owned business now led by second-generation owner Leon Zapadka and his children Luke and Bethany, we combine decades of expertise with a passion for plants. Our team of horticulture professionals provides expert guidance on plant selection, landscaping, and care. We specialize in growing a diverse inventory including annuals, perennials, roses, shrubs, trees, and tropical plants.Our retail store offers premium gardening tools, pots, and home dcor items. With year-round operations and seven-day-a-week availability, we serve both casual gardeners and landscaping professionals. Our commitment to quality is evident in our award-winning plant selections and customer service excellence. We actively support local horticultural organizations and maintain affiliations with industry associations. Through educational workshops and personalized consultations, we empower customers to create thriving outdoor spaces.
Services
Nursery Plants
Garden Supplies
Indoor Plants
Rose Selection
Gardening Workshops
Highlights and features
- Family-owned since 1930s with three generations of horticultural expertise
- Extensive plant selection grown on-site across 16 greenhouses
- Certified horticulturists and award-winning nursery professionals on staff
- Specialized workshops for gardening education and skill development
- Comprehensive one-stop shopping for all gardening needs
What people say
Extensive plant selection
Knowledgeable staff
Family-friendly atmosphere
Excellent workshops
Quality nursery products
Services
Nursery Yard
Our Nursery Yard features carefully selected trees and shrubs including unusual varieties, award-winning selections, and common favorites. We offer deciduous and evergreen options, flowering and non-flowering plants, weeping and upright forms, and fruit-bearing specimens. The inventory includes apple, cherry, peach, and pear trees with expert staff available for planting advice and design suggestions.
Indoor Plants
Year-round greenhouse access provides diverse indoor plant selections including classics like begonias, African violets, and pothos. We offer tropical plants, succulents, cacti, and terrarium-suited varieties. Staff provides care guidance for easy-to-grow and high-maintenance plants while offering potting supplies and fertilizers to support plant health.
Rose Selection
Specialized rose nursery offering hybrid teas, climbers, floribundas, and shrub roses from May to July. Inventory includes Knock-Out roses, David Austin roses, and varieties from consulting rosarian Marci Martin. We provide expert guidance on rose care and maintenance through printed resources and staff consultations.
Perennials
Comprehensive perennial selection featuring sun and shade varieties with both traditional favorites and new cultivars. Our inventory supports diverse landscaping needs with expert recommendations for plant combinations and seasonal interest. Resources include Perennial Plant Association guidelines and American Hosta Society references.
Gardening Workshops
Educational programs covering planting techniques, garden design, and plant care. Current offerings include fall combo classes for container gardening with beginner and advanced options. Workshops provide hands-on experience with expert instruction on creative planting combinations and seasonal gardening projects.
People
Leon Zapadka
Owner
Second-generation owner with over 30 years of experience. Served as president since the 1990s, expanding operations from a small plant stand to an eight-acre facility. Active in horticultural associations including Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association and Connecticut Experiment Station board.
Luke Zapadka
Propagation
Holds Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture from University of Connecticut. Oversees plant propagation and staff management. Combines family tradition with formal education to maintain plant quality and inventory standards through scientific growing practices.
Bethany Zapadka
Propagation
Associate Degree in Horticulture from University of Connecticut. Recipient of Nursery Professional Certificate from Connecticut Nurserymen and Landscape Association. Manages plant propagation and purchasing operations with specialized expertise in plant selection and care.
Pat Cannon
Sales & Management
Store manager responsible for retail operations, purchasing, and workshop coordination. Designs store layout and manages inventory selection. Provides customer service leadership and ensures consistent retail presentation standards across all product lines.
Questions
What are your current operating hours?
We're open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, seven days a week, year-round.
Do you offer gardening classes?
Yes, we host seasonal workshops including our popular fall combo planting classes with beginner and advanced options.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express for all purchases.
Can I special order specific plant varieties?
Yes, we can special order many plant varieties - please call ahead to check availability.
Do you sell gift certificates?
Yes, we offer gift certificates available for purchase by phone with mailed delivery.
What gardening resources do you provide?
We offer planting guides, care instructions, and expert consultations plus online resources covering lawn care, pruning, and seasonal gardening tips.
