I have made the hour drive from Raleigh to Broadwell's in Angier quite a lot after discovering from an avid-gardener friend of mine about 25 years ago, that such a place existed.
I usually go first thing in the morning when they open. My most recent trip though was on a GORGEOUS Friday afternoon when I had a 1/2 day off work and my son was out of school, so we arrived around 2:45PM.
After talking to Angie (who I later learned was one of the owners) at the front about where the Crepe Myrtles were located, we headed to the area she directed us to with our Jeep Cherokee.
As my son and I were walking around looking for the tag Angie described for a Crepe Myrtle that does not get so tall, I kept hearing air sounds coming from the tall, irrigation pipes towering above our heads. I thought to myself, it's 3:00PM, surely they would not be watering the plants at this time of day with customers here. HOWEVER, as we continued to walk, the sounds coming from the pipes grew louder and louder and without a shadow of a doubt I knew we and the Jeep (with open doors and back) were getting ready to get DRENCHED! I yelled to my son, RUN THE WATER IS COMING! We both high-tailed it to the Jeep, hopped in and slammed the doors shut as the irrigation hit full-swing. I was piping mad and called their number, which of course got no answer, so I left a message of frustration telling them that we had driven an HOUR to get there asking if they could turn off the water. UGH! Rolling my eyes, I directed my son to go to another part of the property that was not being irrigated, to see what else we could find for his friend's prayer garden (Eagle Scout project) we were helping with the following day.
Not finding what I was looking for, I drove back to the front and asked Angie where the Weeping Cherry trees were located and she told me they did not have any left. (I had called THAT day, before leaving Raleigh and her husband, Adam, told me they had them.) Anyway, while I was talking to Angie, Adam pulls up in his vehicle and she told him they did not have any Weeping Cherries left and asked him why he told me they did. He was certain they had some so drove ahead of me to show me where they were located. However, the spot where they were supposed to be, was empty. When I told Adam we needed three trees (smaller) for a prayer garden we were helping a Scout with, he drove ahead of us to show us where trees were located that would work. He was extremely helpful, so much so that I felt bad about and told him to ignore the voice mail I had left on their answering machine about the irrigation system. LOL. (The irrigation is on a timer so if you don't want to get wet, find out what time the irrigation comes on BEFORE you travel a long distance to get there. I have never had this issue when arriving early mornings.)
POINTERS FOR A PLEASANT BROADWELL'S EXPERIENCE:
1) Do NOT EXPECT employees scattered around the property to help guide you. This is not a big-fluff nursery. On a beautiful Saturday, they will be crawling with customers and their vehicles.
2) Go with a lot of PATIENCE. Angie and Adam will get to you and they try very hard to help in the order of who was there first. If it is a crazy busy day, you HAVE to go in the right frame of mind and with PATIENCE. The number of staff available to help is very limited so if you need lots of help, go to a big-brand nursery.
3) Bring a LARGE VEHICLE and LIFTING HELP with you to help lift heavy pots. (I would not be able to lift the larger pots into our Jeep without help.)
4) KNOW what shrubs/trees you are going for, BEFORE you go. It is important to EDUCATE YOURSELF. Their plants are simply there in pots with NO INFORMATIONAL TAGS (no text/no pictures) for you to read or see what color they will be later or what light (full sun/shade) they thrive in. Tell them at the front what plant you are looking for and they will direct you to the area of the property where it is located. You are on your own after that. You will need to drive back to the front with any questions you have.
5) Be PREPARED to DRIVE DIRT ROADS (often uneven and bumpy) throughout the property to find what you are looking for. The property is not terrain for a sparkling Mercedes that you want to remain sparkling. Go with the proper vehicle that you can get dirty and wet. (Same goes for your clothing. Don't wear your Sunday best.)
6) DO EXPECT that whatever shrubs/plants you choose will be way less than what you expected to pay. (You can often get "three" for the price you would pay for "one" elsewhere.)
7) Go prepared to pay with CASH or CHECKS only.
I have never had a shrub or tree I purchased at Broadwell's Nursery die on me and have been very pleased with everything I have purchased there over the years.
Thank you Adam and Angie for all of your help last Friday. It was greatly appreciated. Once the prayer garden is complete, I will send you pictures! read more