Al’s Garden Center

Upside first. They have a large selection. And, if you actually go out there, and be insistent, they will help you. But you can’t be in a hurry. That was the upside. Here’s the downside. For one thing, they are expensive. But the killer has been this: they will not help you unless you are in the store. When I had a front yard redesign planned, last early spring, I called them about it, and they sent me some forms to fill out. I sent in that detailed form, along with a yard sketch and pictures, per their instructions. A few months later, after getting no response to calls, I visited the store. Turns out, they had lost their landscape designer and weren’t sure they would replace the position. I asked why they didn’t call me to tell me. They said they don’t have the time to call everyone who might be interested in our service. I had sent in the papers and everything. Well, that killed the project for the spring, since summer was around the corner.
So in late summer, I found a landscape designer (super good — Lisa Annand) and got a great plan, plus a plant list. It’s September. I called Al’s, and they said to send it, and they’d get back to me within a week with prices and availability. After a couple of weeks, I called back. They would get to it next week for sure, since it has been assigned to a guy. Call us back Thursday or Friday. So I called Friday. So-​and-​so is off today. But you really should just find a different nursery — this is our busy time of year. We don’t have time to talk to you now, we have customers here. I pointed out that I was a customer. She told me that if I want service, I really need to come into the store. As I was starting to say that maybe I’d take her first advice, she hung up on me.
Since then, I’ve gotten rather timely responses from Portland Nursery and one other.
I used to shop at Al’s quite a bit. They have earned my contempt. I suggest you follow the advice she gave to me and take your business elsewhere.

There is a general «customer is so annoying» attitude. I don’t get it. Today I was there to redeem my Color Dollars and met with cashier #258. Condescending and very abrupt. I could not understand her and asked her to repeat something. She then repeated it every L O U D– I can hear fine, I just could not understand what she said. When I clarified the amt of color dollars I got with today’s purchase, she again talked very slowly and loud. This place has some nice products but the customer service has a lot to be desired.

This is a great garden center. It is huge with a large inside area with indoor plants, gardening supplies, seeds, bird feeders, even cloths and a coffee shop. Outside is of course outside plants but also pots, bark dust, soil and well neither list is all inclusive. There is just to much stuff.
Everything is well laid out and signed. The staff is friendly and helpful. The displays are inspiring.
They have good sales and a great Christmas selection.
Really I can’t think of a better all around garden shop in the area. When I am in the area I stop in for a look.

Great sale on pottery today so my fiancé and I choose 4 large pieces and needed assistance. First employee in his late 30s that we approached gave us a few options on how to purchase them but didn’t offer to help us or get us help. He actually came across a little rude. After some time another employee happily located someone to assistance us. He was in his early 20s and did OUTSTANDING! We even tried to find him after to give him a tip but we were told that they don’t accept tips. Even with the difficulty of finding help we walked away very happy. Happy enough to write on here about it. We will definitely go back for supplies to fill the pots. Might cost us a little more than going to a big box and it may be out of the way but it’s important to us to support a locally owned business that left us so pleased!

First, I will say their prices are going to be higher than the big box stores. However, their prices aren’t as high as some other nurseries. I go there a lot. They always have a large variety and I can find things there that aren’t sold elsewhere and more varieties and sizes of common plants. They have wonderful gift and clothing sections. They have outdoor furniture and beautiful displays. They are very helpful; I almost never get a blank stare and even when that happens the person will find someone else to help. I have never once had a bad experience with the staff. They have a design service if you need even more help. Also, I can bring my dog in there and they always give him attention (which he loves). It’s a really pleasant place, nice people.

I have shopped at Al’s for many years. My entire yard has been purchased at Al’s for 22 years. They are great and very helpful. On returns, I purchased a shrub one time and it just didn’t grow. I took it back the next year, and they replaced it, no questions asked. I also had some hanging baskets fail and I took them back within 30 days, and again replaced no questions asked. They are so nice to deal with ans are very knowledgeable.

A friend of mine who has been frequenting the Al’s Kid Workshops suggested that we meet her there to try it out since her kids have had a lot of fun there. We had never been and agreed to go because it did sound fun. We hyped it up a lot and the kids were all excited to plant some Mother’s Day flowers. We pre-​registered online and accepted that there would be a $ 5 fee.
We figured this pre-​registration was to let them know how much supplies to have ready since it said registration was required on the website. The start time of the event was 9:30 am and we arrived at 9:45 am. We were turned away because they said we were too late and they had run out of supplies. Which I don’t really understand if they knew we were coming because we pre-​registered and they had name tags laid out for us. If registration is required then who got our supplies?
I could understand if we were 30 minutes or an hour late how they might assume we weren’t coming and put our supplies away. What a waste of gas seeing as how we traveled from hillsboro for this and how disappointing for the 4 boys that had been excited about this. What’s even more disconcerting about this situation is my friends sister who had made it to the event before us said that there were flowers left over after the event had ended. So very strange and dissatisfying!

I come here often. They are probably the largest nursery on this side of town. Stock turns over quickly, so if there is something in season, make sure you head over there quickly. Subscribe to their newsletter and they will email you good deals. I’ve had bulk of mulch and hazelnut shells delivered to my house (the deliver for free if you order more than 4 yards and are within 10 miles) and have had great experiences. Prices are okay, they are the same as other smaller nurseries in the area.

I have been driving by Al’s in Sherwood a few years now. Lately more on a regular bases on my way back to Newberg. Now stopping once or twice a week to see what is new as we just got into spring.
Large nurseries on the west side seem to be on the higher end and Al’s is no exception. The plants look healthy and the nursery is always very clear. I see many employees when I stop who are friendly, say ‘hi’, and always ask if they could help you with choices or answer questions. I have found them knowledgeable about plants and trees. Al’s has a good selection but I find the annuals a very standard. You can find these anywhere.
They have grown to have a extensive gift shop from clothes to uniquely growing potted plants. From BBQs to outdoor furniture there are many choices… but get out that big fat wallet for these items. Ouch!
On the lower end of the scale, and this for me seems to be a habit now, is the ‘Espresso Stand’. This is where I head first and then stroll around. I have the Americano and the ladies are very personable and the coffee is always great. I wanted to leave a tip and was told they can not accept tips «corporate thing or something like that» I was told. What? I thought this was still a family company corporate or not. These girls do a great job and I would like to pay for ‘their service’ like any other coffee stand. Dear ‘Corporate’, Hope you take care of your employees as you do your plants.
I will be back and looking for that tip jar next !!

Expensive but decent. We found a lot of flowers to plant in our restaurant terrace. We will probably go back

Al’s is such an amazing place. I don’t have much of a green thumb, but I love seeing all the plants. I also love their gift area.

I could spend hours here! What a wonderful place — so many unique plants, great sculptures, garden art, and interesting displays. I always learn something new. Staff is super-​friendly and helpful. Prices are a wee bit higher but SO worth it; you’ll be hard pressed to kill the plants you bring home with you (and believe me, this happens on a semi-​regular basis with me!). Strongly recommend!

I took the dog treats back to the store & showed them the exp. date & how white & rotten they were & the employees were very «unconcerned»…as a matter of fact I had a 20% off coupon for the orchid I bought @ the same time & instead of giving me my $ 2.50 back for the treats, they only gave me $ 2.00 saying I used a coupon-​that just takes the cake! Who would want to do business with a company like this?
NOT ME!

Need some color in your life?
Decent place to stop while out driving anywhere near
Bull Mountain/​Sherwood/​Progress Ridge.
BIG GIANT STORE with lots and lots and lots of plants.
They also have a BIG indoor plant area with
the Cutest MINI Plant MINI Garden selection.
And I should mention a large selection of holiday stuff inside? Yep.
And women’s clothing area? — (my great aunt would love, if she were
still around).
Clean, well run and well, BIG.
I just bought some pumpkins there for an outdoor display (1.99 ea)
and a couple decorative cabbage and a stunning orchid all for under $ 45.00
so the prices aren’t too high.
Not my first choice, since I prefer something smaller.
but certainly a place to look when you
want a BIG selection.

Once you walk in here you will be tempted to pick up at least one plant. Great collection of plants and trees and a well organized space. It is huge — It felt like being in a plant wonderland. There’s a coffee shop which is nice. They also have patio furniture, garden décor and some clothing for sale.

I’ve spent many dollars at Al’s, and plan on spending many many more!
I have been shopping here since they opened this one on the West side many years ago. Al’s has something for EVERY season! You think gardening is only for 3 out of the 4 seasons… well my friend think again!
I always get my Christmas tree and wreaths from here, great selection and very helpful staff! They also have all those huge outdoor ornaments that you see displayed on stores or gigantic houses. Right around Thanksgiving time, Al’s turns into a winter wonderland with trees and ornaments and all the trimmings you would need. Poinsettias in all colors too!
Yes, Al’s has many many things to spend your hard earned dollar on. Seeds, plants, tools, planters, outdoor furniture… they even carry a variety of outdoor furniture.
Over the years, my daughter has enjoyed the kids club. They have neat little classes on the weekends, many for free, for the little ones to plant a variety of things.
Al’s is more than just a «nursery for plants»…a great place to find and grow plants and learn a thing or two along the way. Just look for the purple people and they will be glad to help you out!

I shopped here for the first time today and will definitely be back. It is a half hour from my house, but worth the drive. We have a new yard feature and I arrived at the store not knowing what type of plants to purchase. Customer service helped me locate an employee knowledgable in vines. She was very helpful to teach me about my options.
All of the selections were very healthy. I purchased vines, herbs and a few annuals today. The store is huge and very organized.

After chatting it up with a gal in the garden section of another store she recommended I get asparagus starts from Al’s.
It was my first time visiting and I came in 25 minutes before closing. Sure I had driven by dozens of times, but nothing compelled me to drop in.
Pam, at the plant information booth gave me a handout and we talked cultivating asparagus. Under her recommendation I opted to buy two plants. I also picked up some onion starts and a few other garden items.
I did not have the time to fully inspect the store. It was so clean and well maintained it almost had a sterile feel to it. It gave me the Nordstrom of plants vibe, down to it’s own permanent espresso bar. The bathrooms we clean, all the décor was tagged with a for display only sticker, funny.
I will be back and perhaps write an updated review at that point.

Huge greenhouse. Love the selection of houseplants.
Great plant information people. Love their compost — it’s all made from the dead plants they didn’t manage to sell. Only place I could find a monkey puzzle tree in this area. Highly recommended!

This is my favorite plant nursery in the entire metro area.
It is really, really far away. Like, over the river and through the burbs far away. There may even be a mountain pass or two on the way here. And yet, I will not hesitate to visit when searching for plants. They’re that good.
They have a seasonal section of their yard that changes, well, with the seasons (go figure), and the displays are both stunning and inspiring. Their plants are well organized, super healthy, and tremendously hearty. I have had great success with everything I have purchased here.
There’s a tiny little coffee shop counter when you first walk in. Purchase a cup of coffee, and browse and sip. It’s a fun place to plan your next garden project.