I was really impressed with the place. It sits on two levels with the main nursery down below and trees up above. The business is very eclectic with a strong presence of art. I really dug these huge metal chickens.

There's a lot of life-like bronze sculptures which always creeps me out (Frozen children!) and I'm told by another nursery owner that there is a "mini Butchart Gardens" being developed but I didn't get an invite in.

I was intrigued with their pottery display. While their selection is not as vast as Bamford and Bamford I actually liked it better. I came away with four great ceramic pots AND they were having a two-for-one sale. What beats that? (Well, maybe free pottery day.)

They have a good, varied plant selection. I saw lots of unusual hostas, grasses and other perennials.

Rosedale Gardens is at 7311 Rosedale Street NW in Gig Harbor. Their phone is 253-851-7333 and they are open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. seven days a week.

The photo below shows the pottery display at Rosedale.

Next up was Arletta Gardens & Boutique, 3508 Ray Nash Drive in Gig Harbor. This one-year-old nursery was equally impressive as Rosedale. While tiny in comparison the artistic eye behind the business comes through loud and strong.

The owner wasn't on hand Sunday but I was blown away by her displays of plants, the inside store and the unique display garden which recreates a beach scene. Near this row boat waiting for a passenger was a scene set up to resemble an ocean-side BBQ. I could almost hear the waves crashing.

Arletta Gardens doesn't have a website but their number is 253-265-2224 and they are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays.

Finally, I made it out to Blue Frog Garden Nursery. Owner Russ Smith showed me his green houses. One of them was full of Japanese maples - one of his specialties.

His personal gardens are amazing. This is his dry-stacked wall (below) with all sorts of colorful perennials.

Blue Frog is not open to the public except on special events. Luckily, this weekend (July 12-13) is one of those. Russ has invited Steamboat Island Nursery (one of my favorite Puget Sound nurseries) as well as a grower of ornamental grasses to sell their stock. Call 253-857-0127 or go to their website for more information.