North of Big Timber on Otter Creek Rd.
If you’re on the lookout for cast iron, beautiful, and possibly hard to find landscape plants, make your way to Blake Nursery, fondly named “the gardener’s paradise” by repeat customers. In business since 1977, this family run enterprise specializes in hardy plants including trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses with an emphasis on Montana natives–a passion and priority at Blake Nursery! Customers happily make the excursion to Blake Nursery, just 5.5 miles NE of Big Timber because they’re sure to find plants often not available elsewhere. At this nursery, popularity isn’t a top priority.
They’re well stocked with plants emphasizing long-term performance and satisfaction. So out with fussy grafted hybrid tea roses, and in with hardy roses grown on their own root. Out with hybrids of Poplar/Cottonwood that grow quickly and decline at a similar pace, and in with native Poplar/Cottonwood species that have withstood the test of time. Out with many plants supplied by growers in milder climates or zones, and in with plants from zones equivalent to much of Montana. Out with most plants requiring acidic soils, and in with plants that grow well in our predominantly alkaline soils. Out with exotics and in with Montana natives–many sought after by birds for their flowers, fruits, berries, and seeds. Speaking of which, what better way to celebrate our beautiful Western flora than the use of plants native to our landscapes? Native landscapes give us a sense of place and connect us to our local environment, and frankly, they just feel right! We are surrounded by some of the most beautiful native plants in the world. They were here for millennia before Western civilization arrived, and because they are adapted to local soil and climate, they are usually more maintenance free than introduced species. Wildlife depends on them for survival–for food, nesting sites, and shelter. By including these plants in our landscape, we are virtually hanging out the “WELCOME” sign.
So let’s keep Montana looking like Montana. With introduced species–especially with aggressive ones that choke out native vegetation–Montana loses its identity and starts to look like Anywhere, USA. In addition to natives, Blake has a vast selection of hardy plants including lilacs, flowering crabs, service berry, apple and other fruit trees, perennial vegetable plants, fabric bag plants, ornamental and shade trees, ornamental shrubs, vines, groundcovers, evergreens, windbreaks, shelterbelts, bio-hedges, and perennials for all seasons. Blake Nursery also offers Creative Landscaping and Design Services. An updated listing of plants currently in stock is available at blakenursery.com. Always at the forefront of daily operations, Blake Nursery remains committed to customer service 39 years after opening its doors. Plant selection is now more diverse than ever, Montana natives being a primary focus. Blake Nursery continues to benefit from great employees and loyal customers, an intimate group to which the planter’s haven owes the core of its success. Come check out why Blake Nursery is called the “gardener’s paradise!” For more information, please visit blakenursery.com. •
Visit us for the finest selection of plants for our region, including many stalwart natives, and where customer service is our highest priority!
Ph. (406) 932-4195
Hrs: Mon.-Sat. 9-5:30 Sun. 12-5 thru June Closed Sun. starting July
