The parking lot is packed, carts are rolling, and the scent of potting soil is thick in the air – spring has officially arrived at Whistlin’ Dixie Garden & Gifts.
For gardeners across the Plateau, the season doesn’t start by the calendar. It begins the moment they pull in, load up the trunk, and breathe in that first whiff of greenhouse-grown promise.
The success story behind this gardening powerhouse began in 1995, when April and Chuck Galloway, together with April’s parents, Rex and Judy Dillard, established their nursery on land formerly occupied by the Bearwallow Springs Jelly House.
Through determination, faith, and family teamwork, they’ve built an operation that continues to thrive and expand. A major leap forward came in 2005 with the construction of a dedicated gift shop building, significantly enhancing their offerings beyond plants alone.
“Ninety-five percent of our plants are grown on site,” April says, referring to the 14,000 square feet of covered greenhouses behind the shop. “They’re already used to mountain weather – no adjustment needed.” That insider advantage, paired with expert guidance from their nine-person team, makes Whistlin’ Dixie a go-to resource for gardeners from Highlands, Cashiers, Lake Toxaway, and as far away as Brevard and Hendersonville.
By Mother’s Day, the pace reaches a joyful frenzy. The nursery bursts with vibrant annuals, hardy perennials, fragrant herbs, and structural shrubs—ready to root and thrive. Their stunning hanging baskets alone number over 4,000 each season and often sell out fast.
The experience doesn’t stop at the greenhouse.
Inside the gift shop, visitors can browse an ever-evolving mix of greeting cards (20 brands and counting), cocktail napkins in every imaginable design, and a wide selection of Michel Design Works soaps and lotions.
New this year are Proven Winners Aquapots—sleek, self-watering containers that blend convenience with elegance.
Outside, the expanded nursery yard features solar lights, moss-lined hayracks, wind chimes, rain chains, and lightweight planters in modern and classic styles. And when it’s time to prep the soil, Whistlin’ Dixie has you covered with mulch, straw, and a full array of gardening amendments.
At Whistlin’ Dixie, gardening isn’t a hobby – it’s a competitive sport with better hats. Around here, folks swap plant tips like stock tips and treat compost recipes like family secrets.
And when spring hits? It’s game on, and Whistlin’ Dixie is where everyone gears up.
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