We stumbled onto Barton Springs Nursery almost by accident after seeing their showroom on Lamar and realizing there was an actual nursery a little farther west. Somehow I had never heard of it, despite it having been around for decades. I was not prepared. This is less a traditional nursery and more a beautifully designed place that happens to sell plants. The property is shaded by huge mature oaks, with gravel paths winding through incredibly healthy plants, weathered wood structures, limestone, pottery, little seating areas, a greenhouse, ponds, and thoughtfully placed pockets where you can just sit. Everything feels considered without feeling precious. I kept trying to describe the aesthetic and eventually realized the most accurate reference point is the Animal Crossing island I always intended to create but absolutely never did. It is genuinely one of the most beautiful retail environments I've experienced in Austin. We were only stopping in between errands with our five-year-old and 11-month-old, so we barely scratched the surface and didn't actually purchase anything. Even so, several staff members took time with us. Everyone we encountered was warm, knowledgeable, and seemed genuinely happy to talk about plants and the property. The Genus Bar is particularly cool. It isn't just clever branding. You can bring actual plant problems to their horticultural experts for help, and they have equipment on hand to dig into what may be happening with a plant. One gentleman walked us through the space, explained some of what they do there, gave us some history of the nursery, and was completely open to whatever plant questions I wanted to throw at him. There are also a surprising number of things for kids to discover. Turtles, enormous tortoises, an axolotl, ponds and other little bits of wildlife are worked into the property. Our five-year-old loved feeding and watching the turtles and tortoises. One of the staff members caring for the tortoises also made sure we knew not to touch them because of the salmonella risk. How did I make it this far into adulthood without knowing that? Another unexpected detail was the nitro yaupon tea. I initially thought I was being offered cold brew coffee, which was challenged the moment I smelled it. Yaupon is a native holly whose leaves have a long history of being brewed as a caffeinated tea, and the person serving it gave us the whole background while preparing it. It was light, fragrant and really pleasant. Just another small thing that made the visit feel less transactional. The major caveat is price. This is NOT where I would necessarily come for a budget-conscious haul of plants I could easily find elsewhere. The nursery is in Westlake, the products are highly curated, and the pricing reflects the environment and clientele. That said, the plants we saw looked exceptionally healthy, the garden and home goods felt carefully selected, and there appeared to be some more unusual plant options mixed into the broader selection. You're paying for a noticeably different experience. And honestly, the experience is the reason give it five stars. We came in intending to look around for a few minutes and left wishing we'd had considerably more time. I tend to linger in nurseries anyway, but Barton Springs Nursery seems almost specifically engineered to encourage that behavior. Next time we'll come when we're not wedging botanical exploration between chores. Even if it isn't where you buy every plant for your yard, it's worth visiting at least once. We'll absolutely be back. read more

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Such a gem for anyone who loves plants -- this place is a joy to walk around! The staff here is so nice and helpful, and there are plenty of wheeled trolleys for use when your plant selections become too much to carry, haha. There's a giant garden gnome out front, plus two resident tortoises, parakeets, a pond with turtles, and even an axolotl inside the gift shop! It's so lovely to walk around here, admire their space, and gather inspiration from the wonderful assortment of plants they have. My cousin buys so many plants here for her home as well as for her business. Happy to support such a wonderful place! read more

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This nursery is an amazing place to be. I could see it as a tourist attraction It's so wonderful. They have many beautiful plants and they are placed so lovely, it's like walking through a garden. They have a very large parakeet area where they have rescued parakeets. They have a beautiful turtle with pond that is the size of a pool and the turtles are currently having babies! There's herbs, there's perennials, there's annuals. There are Texas native plants. The nursery is surrounded by beautiful large trees. Their shaded plants are shaded under the shade of these beautiful large trees. I truly enjoyed myself. The people who work there are so helpful and kind. I asked lots of questions and they never got tired of answering or smiling. Their prices are medium, you can probably find some herbs and plants for less money, but you get what you pay for here. Their plants are an excellent condition and very well cared for. I bought a Sago palm, a chamomile, and an Italian parsley. I highly recommend you visit! read more

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Barton springs Nursery delivered 45 bags of mulch this week for a project my son was doing at a school. We told them the size of the area that needed to be covered, and they told us an amount of bags that seemed like a lot. They were right on the money! We used every bag. They were very accommodating about delivery because we were working around school hours. I have used Barton Springs Nursery in the past for vegetable plants for my own garden and always had a great experience. But, this was the first time I had used them for a delivery. Their expertise saved multiple trips back to a nursery for more mulch and made the experience less stressful for us by being on time with the exact amount needed. read more

After nomming down some Baldinucci, we sought to admire the plants of the nursery. From the exterior, I underestimated the scope of the establishment, but soon the realization of just how massive and nicely decorated the place was. Most likely you'll first park your vehicle, then walk in the main entrance with its grand rustic signage. Perhaps you might miss the rope swing to your left, and instead you might be drawn to the rows of plants on your right. You might snake in further to under the tarp covered area. Or perhaps you'll venture inside the building at the front. You might check out their aviary, try to find their two tortoises, turtles, or admire their pottery selection. If you go in far enough, lights string themselves between trees towering above you. If you go all the way back, you'll find a sheltered greenhouse area with some neat displays. In the fountain area, water will be aerated, and alligator heads will float around. You might go around reading signage describing various plants, how they can be used, conditions in which they thrive, or how they drip irrigate their nursery plants. Some signs suggest they can source plants for you if needed. You might encounter the friendly people running the place who'll explain to you how everything works. But other, it's a nice e area to walk around. Across the other side of the parking lot, they have a museum set up inside a large garage. Entry to this nursery is free, but if you're looking to buy a plant, you can grab a cart, find your selection, and then bring it over to one of the checkout stations that they have setup. Otherwise, there is plenty of space to walk around and explore. read more

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What a beautiful nursery! The entire place is landscaping backyard inspo. We love the children's area, the boutique shops, the beautiful selection of pots and plants. The axolotl, turtles and parakeets were a highlight for my daughters! We will come back here again, it felt like being in the Secret Garden. read more

Barton Springs Nursery - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Austin, Texas

First time going to a nursery and it was such a great experience! It was raining, but the employees were so nice and offered us umbrellas (that they are selling) to use while browsing the plants. Not only are there flowers and trees, they also have tortoise, parakeets, and fish (not for sale). So cool! There's a nearby shop for selling tools and dirt. The pineapple bush is so cool but I don't know if I'll wait for just one pineapple at a time haha. The prices are kind of high compared to plants at HEB or Home Depot but it was a nice visit. A cool place nonetheless to stroll around. On a sunny day, you can sit on the chairs that they have and just take in the scenery. read more

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I had a really positive experience at Barton Springs Nursery. It's in a nice location with plenty of parking by the nursery, and is across from Wild Birds Unlimited, which is also pretty cool. I came here on a weekend afternoon and it wasn't too busy, and there were a lot of options for plants. I had a few questions about different types of seeds to plant and the staff was very helpful. I am a newbie to gardening and I did not feel any type of way from asking them silly questions. I ended up buying a few different types of seeds which were at a good price, and they have been doing pretty well so far! I will be back for other planting needs in the future. read more

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We love how informative the staff is at Barton Springs Nursery, in Austin. The quality of care provided for the plants is so evident. We were very pleased with how thorough the process was from purchase to installation. Highly recommended! read more

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I love big planters and I can not lie! And Barton Springs Nursery has some of the best selection of large planters. This is one of my favorite nurseries! They have a friendly, resident cat and an outdoor bird habitat with some pretty parakeets. The purple wisteria is stunning when in bloom! They also have a cute gift shop and some unique outdoor furniture pieces. It's definitely a sensory experience! read more

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Poor customer service! I gave them $250 for a landscape quote. They never followed up with me after two emails that I sent. When asked to speak with the owner to give me my $ back the front desk said that she was too busy to speak with me. read more

What an amazing place! It's huge and there are so many indoor and outdoor plants to choose from. I could have spent hours just walking around the place, it was so lovely. Staff was very helpful and attentive. Will be back! read more

Amazing service, super friendly, kind and knowledgeable! Great variety of plants, pots, and soil. Pricing is on par as well! Highly recommend if you live in west Austin! read more

I love this place so much. They have such a wonderful selection of houseplants, outdoor plants, and trees / shrubs. The staff is amazing, they're always available asking if you need help and very educated. I enjoyed walking around for hours, the vibes were so peaceful. read more

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My sister and I love shopping here. All of the plants are well cared for, high quality, and the employees are well suited to address any questions or concerns you have in your at-home plant care. That said, they don't always have a full stock as many items are seasonal, but that's just an incentive to visit regularly! I love coming here and finding new plants to add to my collection. They also offer a wide variety of seeds, bulbs, pots, soils, fertilizers, etc. Essentially everything you need for gardening and plant care! It is designed to be a one-stop shop and it is. They also have a community cat who is very sweet and friendly, so that's another thumbs up in my books! If you love plants and gardening, I highly recommend checking out this location. read more

The cutest little nursery tucked into West Lake Austin. It's right near the the Randall's I shop by and I stopped by with my boyfriend to pick out rose bushes for our backyard. They are pet friendly and we also brought our dog. Everything was labeled and organized nicely. Staff was friendly. You can pretty much find anything you need for your backyard. read more

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A fun place to visit with Koi Ponds and other attractions but really disappointed with the inventory levels, and conditions of the nursery stock. Prices seemed really high. I would be willing to pay higher prices for premium plants and good inventories but this was neither. Pottery prices were significantly higher and selection was more limited than Shoal Creek Nursery. Plus, many of the pots indicated that they could not sustain freezing conditions. What? This is Central Texas, it freezes here... Many of the employees were very friendly but there was one ponytailed guy that acted like we were in his way. read more

I want to highly recommend Barton Springs Nursery. I had an experience with them that started out very negative but then turned out to be so very excellent in terms of service, ethical business practice and quality plants that it really deserves special kudos. I bought a redbud in early May and it had an infestation of spittle beetles - a critter I'd never encountered before in many decades of gardening. I took pictures of the bug and the damage and sent them in. I waited and waited and waited and I got really pissed off. Then the owner contacted me and apologized for the time it had taken him to get back with me. It was due to all the endless crazy of a normal planting season plus the fact that, due to the freeze, so many people had lost so much and needed to replace what had died. He urged me to come in so that he could rectify this. He gave me not only one tree to compensate for the redbud but also another for my trouble. This is really the very finest example of how to run a business. I highly recommend Barton Springs Nursery. Go there and you will not regret it. read more

One of my top places to visit in Austin. We love coming here with kids to see the turtles and other little animals. Its so serene to visit on a hot day and kick back with the peaceful shade. Theyll usually have some music playing for the plants. Its hard not to buy something everytime. Well done. Free coffee also available in the shop house. Love this addition. read more

A magical place with knowledgeable staff. You can see creativity flowing from every corner! Plants are healthy and would love to have a home garden looking just like this place. Plant lovers will love it! read more

I've given this nursery a few chances but they really aren't great. Their houseplants are pretty sad looking + unhealthy. See my attached photo of an overwatered plant that's growing moss. Only upside is their large planter selection which are on pricier side tbh. Also, the employees are kinda rude + rather do something else other than helping you. I tried checking out once but their ticketing system during the pandemic is awkward. I waited in line for a while until I just dropped the items and left. I'd recommend checking out The Great Outdoors + The Natural Gardener which are a few minutes away from this place. You'll have a more positive experience. read more

Barton Springs Nursery - What's with all the overwatering? - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Austin, Texas

Lovely assortment of plantss. While they don't have a large assortment of indoor plants they have great varietals of outdoor plants. They also carry a line of super cheap and super light planters. I always hate how heavy most planters are because I want to be able to move them without my husbands help! They have good parking and this place is dangerous if you are trying not to spend money. I could walk around here for hours and just admire the beautiful plants. I hope they keep everything safe in the upcoming freeze!! read more

I absolutely loved this nursery! I came needing inspiration to get back into planting and found just what I needed. The staff was so helpful and willing to answer any questions I had. Those that helped had many plants of their own, and gave personal experiences on what worked for specific plants. I really enjoyed stopping by and will be back! read more

Barton Springs Nursery - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Austin, Texas

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The cold weather killed lots of plants in our yard, and even with a car choked parking lot, Amy took time to personally help me with 10 large pots. She even recommended a spray to preserve some plastic succulents. My pots were ready by Easter weekend and my new pool deck is lovely! read more

Barton Springs Nursery - Succulents! - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Austin, Texas

This is my favorite Austin Area Nursery! Everyone that works there is so helpful and friendly. Genevieve was so helpful in helping me plan out mg garden bed. She walked around and explained several different plant varieties based on what I was looking for and didn't seem to mind at all! Another time Charlotte (I believe was her name), was also extremely helpful in the same way. I've been to several nurseries in the area and this is by far my favorite in terms of quality and customer service. I want to give all my money to this place! Thank you guys! read more

What an amazing place. Huge selection. Focus on local regional plants, all sizes. Very knowledgeable staff and kind, attentive service. Pricing is very competitive, and they have unique options and a small gift shop. Overall a great shopping experience. Highly recommend. Warning!!! You won't leave empty handed. read more

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They had a very large collection, especially of outdoor plants. I do wish the staff was a bit more helpful for first-timers like us who know little about plants. read more

Just so expensive. Great quality. Great selection. Great service. Just so expensive...but they did have cuces!

well first of all when i called to see if they had any large rosemary plants they replied yes, yes now my bad for not asking gallon size, when i get there i find one gal size rosemary !!! While the very nice lady tries to convince me they would grow fast!! i declined, wrong size for plants already in ground!!! so frustrating, but found a nursery that had the 5 gal rosemary for approx same price as Barton springs 1 gal!! also i had tuff time figuring out just where this place was when i pull in it says bird center or something like that as no sign to let you know just where the nursery was! even my google map was not clear! so for better pricing and better phone info try Moon Valley nursery! very helpful they text me address over phone and let me know size rosemary yes 5 gal!!! Perfect!!! i'm not from austin so was very helpful read more

Lovely place, great folks, and they're all about native and sustainable! I will certainly be returning. read more

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A perfect nursery in south Austin. Great staff, great selection, good prices. If you need anything this is the place for you. They also have quite an expansive selection of pots, containers, and other whimsical garden supplies. The only downer on my last visit is that the road is getting widened and they took out the ginormous yucca plants that were out front. Only one warning: the parking lot is tough to get out of. Make sure you don't bury yourself in there too deep before you realize you have to get back out. read more

This location is the best part of this nursery. The drive was beautiful! We were a bit underwhelmed with everything and ended up not getting anything. read more

Wish I could rate this nursery more highly but since the ownership change most of the old staff has either been fired or has quit. There is a very basic cultural change. It is very evident that Conrad has left the building. Today I asked someone for Medina Hasta Gro for Plants. I had to explain to her that it was a common fertilizer carried by BSN forever. She was clueless. They didnt have it in one gallon sizes anyway so I ordered 2 online. Only 3 of the incredibly knowledgeable original staff are still present and one of them is quitting. One has to ask why. read more

Cutest green thumber in Austin - straw hat and all. This nursery is a historic landmark in the Westlake - Barton Springs area. My dream place and hangout. read more

Barton Springs Nursery - Elena here to help! - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Austin, Texas

I used to stop by Barton Spring nursery before heading to Trader Joe's and occasionally take my son. We take pictures and marvel over the new inventory and buy something every time we stop by. But unfortunately my son was banned from the nursery for spinning a plant recently. While it is understandable that the nursery staff may have concerns about the safety and well-being of their plants, banning a customer's child seems like an extreme measure. A fair warning would do especially since nothing was damaged or destroyed. Either be a museum or a nursery, pick a lane. read more

I went for just one plant. And although they didn't have it (it is not the season for it), I left with 9. The prices are great, especially for a nursery so close to Austin. Everyone was so nice and willing to help. I can't wait to go again and see what I bring home. read more

This is a magical place, and the staff is amazing. As a beginner gardener I have a lot of dumb questions, and they answer them with patience and guidance I can't recommend them enough. They are worth the time to drive from dripping Springs. read more

These guys are the BOMB. They don't laugh at my black thumbs and idiot questions or the fact that I always visit on the way back from the gym and usually look like I've been wrestling with a bear. They do care about bees and responsible chemical use and looking after the environment. They also know everything that I could possibly want to know about home plant and yard care and dispense advice cheerfully and charmingly and manage never to be patronising. Their prices are comparable to places like Home Depot but their advice about after care and genuine wish to see your plant plans succeed make them stand head and shoulders above any of the big box home stores - I wouldn't go anywhere else for advice, products or plants in the area. The exit from bee caves rd can be a little sketchy - be safe, but it's worth risking life and limb to venture in if you need yard supplies! read more

Best plant nursery I've visited in Austin by far. Got my fiddle leaf and it's so healthy and beautiful. They have wagons to help with loading plants. Staff is helpful and funny. read more

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I've been to this nursery in the past and it was fine. But today I was treated like garbage just for asking a few simple questions. I intended on buying more there until the girl working the outdoor stand area was extremely condescending to me. I typically really look forward to visiting nurseries and picking out new plants, but this was not a good experience. I was there Sunday 7/14/19 at 4:15pm if management reads this. Won't shop there again and am on my way to The Great Outdoors now. read more