About 17,000 people show up every year to look at poinsettias. Not buy a car, not watch a game, just admire red leaves in a greenhouse.
That yearly holiday show has been running for more than four decades. It started because one grower simply wanted to share thousands of poinsettias with his neighbors. I love that the whole tradition began with a plant lover’s urge to show off.
The rest of the year keeps the same spirit going. Fifteen production greenhouses grow annuals, perennials, herbs, succulents, and vegetable starts on family farmland in Pennsylvania. A fall field fills up with thousands of mums waiting for new homes.
With thousands of poinsettias, colorful mums, and greenhouses full of plants, I’d definitely be leaving with more than I planned and hoping everything fits in the car.
1. A Family Dream That Grew Way Past One Small Greenhouse
Back in 1973, Dave Glick started a small greenhouse operation on family farmland.
Fifty-plus years later, Glick’s Greenhouse is a full garden center destination in the Oley Valley of Pennsylvania.
The growth story is impressive, but the ownership is the sweet part.
Dave still runs the business alongside his nephew, Joe Glick.
Joe’s daughter, Anna, is also part of the management team.
That makes three generations of Glicks keeping the plants happy and the doors open.
Family businesses often carry a certain personality, and this one leans authentic and unpretentious.
Nobody here is trying to dress plants up as luxury goods.
The property sits in farm country, which fits the whole story nicely.
The greenhouse is part of the agricultural heritage that makes this valley feel rooted in the land.
Why does the history matter when you just want petunias?
Because a grower that has been doing this since the 1970s tends to know what thrives in local soil and weather.
That experience shows up in the plants and in the advice.
You’re buying from people who have watched their own seedlings grow for decades.
2. Fifteen Greenhouses Means You Should Probably Wear Comfy Shoes
Numbers tell this part best.
The property covers about three acres and includes 15 production greenhouses.
Then there’s the shopping area, with nearly 18,000 square feet of retail space.
That’s plenty of room to wander without bumping elbows with a hanging fern.
The space is designed for people to spend hours exploring.
So yes, a quick stop for one tomato plant can easily turn into an afternoon.
Show plants help you see how things look when they’re fully grown.
Informative signs fill in the details about sun, shade, and care.
I like that setup because it takes the guesswork out of shopping.
You can picture a plant in your yard before it ever leaves the greenhouse.
There’s also a seasonal perennial area outside, plus a mum field for fall.
Each area has its own rhythm, so the visit feels different depending on when you go.
My practical tip?
Grab a cart early and plan a loose route.
With this much ground to cover, a little strategy saves your arms and your patience.
3. Your Garden Wish List Will Get Longer, Not Shorter
Annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, succulents, vegetable plants, houseplants, and holiday plants all share space at Glick’s Greenhouse.
That’s a long list, and every category runs deep.
Annuals bring the quick bursts of color that make porches pop.
Perennials come back year after year, which is great news for lazy gardeners like me.
Hanging baskets are an easy win if you want instant beauty with almost no planting.
Just hang one by the door and accept the compliments.
Houseplants handle the indoor side of things.
They’re perfect for apartment dwellers or anyone who wants green leaves during a Pennsylvania winter.
The selection changes with the seasons.
What you see in spring won’t match what’s on the benches in late summer.
That shifting lineup keeps repeat visits interesting.
You might find something brand new each time.
Here’s my advice for first-timers.
Bring a rough idea of your sunlight and space, then let the staff help you narrow things down.
Otherwise, you may end up adopting half the greenhouse.
4. Tiny Succulents Might Steal The Whole Show
Small plants, big temptation.
Succulents are one of the most talked-about sections at this Oley greenhouse, and it’s easy to see why.
These little guys come in all sorts of shapes, colors, and textures.
Some look like roses carved from jade, while others look like tiny green pebbles.
They’re forgiving, too.
Succulents like a bit of neglect, which makes them ideal for busy people or new plant parents.
Small succulent starters make great building blocks for creative projects.
Think fairy gardens, windowsill arrangements, or a mini dish garden for a friend’s desk.
Mixing a few different types in one shallow pot looks fancy with very little effort.
Just make sure the container drains well, since soggy roots are a succulent’s worst enemy.
A sunny window and light watering will keep most of them happy indoors.
Let the soil dry out between drinks.
I believe every plant collection needs at least one succulent.
It’s a low-stakes way to build confidence before you graduate to fussier plants.
Fair warning, though: one is never really enough.
5. Tomato Season Starts Right On These Benches
Homegrown tomatoes beat store-bought ones every single time.
Getting there starts with good seedlings, and Glick’s Greenhouse grows plenty of vegetable plants each spring.
Tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and other garden favorites fill the vegetable section.
The variety lets you try something new instead of planting the same old thing.
Herbs deserve special attention here.
A small pot of basil or parsley near your kitchen door can make simple meals taste much better.
Not sure where to begin?
Start small with a few tomato plants, a pepper or two, and some herbs.
That kind of starter garden is manageable for beginners and even kids.
It also fits nicely in containers if you don’t have a big yard.
Timing matters with vegetables.
Pennsylvania gardeners usually wait until frost danger passes before setting tender plants outside.
Shopping early in the season gives you the widest choice.
Popular varieties can move fast once warm weather hits.
Need supplies to go with your plants?
The shop also carries seeds, fertilizers, pots, gloves, and watering cans.
One stop really can cover the whole project.
6. Thousands Of Mums Turn Fall Into A Choose-Your-Own Color Adventure
Autumn brings out the field of dreams, or at least the field of mums.
Glick’s Greenhouse grows thousands of them in its Mum Field every fall.
Rows of potted chrysanthemums give you plenty to pick from.
Orange, yellow, burgundy, and white all compete for a spot on your front steps.
Shopping in an open field feels different from browsing indoors.
You get fresh air, farm views, and a real sense of the growing side of the business.
Mums are a classic fall decoration for good reason.
They’re cheerful, sturdy, and pair perfectly with pumpkins and hay bales.
Want them to last longer?
Pick plants with lots of tight buds instead of ones in full bloom.
They’ll open slowly at home and stretch the color over more weeks.
Water them often, since potted mums dry out quickly.
A thirsty mum droops fast, but it usually perks right back up after a good soak.
I like how a handful of mums can change the whole look of a house.
It’s the easiest seasonal makeover around.
7. The Holiday Poinsettia Show Is A Tradition Worth Planning Around
Roughly 17,000 visitors come each year for the Annual Poinsettia Show and Open House.
For a greenhouse in the countryside, that’s a jaw-dropping crowd for holiday flowers.
The tradition grew from Dave Glick’s wish to share the beauty of thousands of poinsettias.
The 2024 event marked the 46th annual show.
Every year, the greenhouse turns into a holiday destination.
Elaborate displays and themed decorations make it feel more like an exhibit than a shopping trip.
Poinsettias come in more colors than many people realize.
Red is the classic, but pink, white, and speckled types add fun twists.
Bringing one home?
Keep it away from cold drafts and let the soil dry slightly before watering.
Pet owners should also keep these plants out of reach of curious paws.
Plans are already in place for future shows.
That’s good news for families who treat the event as part of their December routine.
I can’t think of a cheerier way to shake off winter gloom.
Walking among thousands of glowing blooms beats shopping-mall chaos any day.
8. Friendly Experts Make Plant Shopping Way Less Scary
Killing a houseplant by accident happens to the best of us.
Glick’s Greenhouse helps prevent that with trained staff who share gardening and plant care advice.
Asking questions is smart, not embarrassing.
Staff can help you match plants to your sunlight, soil, and schedule.
Bring a few details from home to get better answers.
Note how many hours of sun your space gets and whether it’s damp or dry.
Photos of your yard or windowsill help too.
A quick picture can save a lot of guessing.
Informative signs throughout the space add another layer of help.
They’re handy when you want to browse quietly and read up on your own.
The supply shelves round things out with fertilizers, fungicides, seeds, pots, gloves, and watering cans.
That means you can leave with both the plant and the tools to keep it thriving.
I believe good advice is the most underrated thing a garden center offers.
A healthy plant plus the right know-how gives you a much better shot at success.
Your future self, and your plants, will be grateful.
9. Plan Your Trip To Oley Valley Before The Best Plants Sell Out
Farm fields, quiet roads, and rolling Pennsylvania countryside set the scene.
You’ll find Glick’s Greenhouse at 57 Fisher Mill Road, Oley, Pennsylvania 19547.
The greenhouse is open Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
It’s closed on Sundays, so plan weekend trips for Saturday.
Outside, walking paths, water features, and neatly potted growing areas invite a slow stroll.
It’s a pleasant break from busy parking lots and fluorescent store aisles.
Practical stuff matters too.
Restrooms are available, the space is wheelchair accessible, and there’s customer parking on site.
Early spring visits give you the best plant selection.
Weekday mornings are a smart choice if you like extra breathing room while browsing.
Pack a few things before you go.
A tarp or old towel protects your car from soil, and a sturdy box keeps pots from tipping over on country roads.
Is it worth the drive?
For anyone who loves growing things, I’d say absolutely.
Just remember that plant shopping math rarely works out, and you’ll probably leave with more than planned.
Share this story
