About Us

Our History

With almost 100 years of history Scott's Nursery has shown an inspiring resilience as a family owned business who believes strongly in the care of it's customers and plants alike. Click through are dropdown menu below for the interesting events and photos which shaped our company.

1920's to 1950's

Scott's Nursery has a rich history that dates back to 1929 when Oliver Scott emigrated from Scotland and purchased a small farm in Lincoln, New Brunswick.

He started with a farm mixed with cattle, sheep and green vegetables for local markets. After some training on an estate in Scotland he changed to farming annuals, perennials flowers, cut flowers and garden plants

In 1935, Oliver married a local girl named Martha Foster, and together they constructed their first greenhouse, where they grew vegetables and perennials.

During the early years, the nursery focused on field crops, cold frames, and seasonal greenhouses. As demand grew, they upgraded to larger, year-round structures, expanding their offerings of annuals, perennials, and nursery stock.

They participated in the local Farmers Market in Fredericton, showcasing their commitment to quality and community. Following Oliver's passing in 1957, Martha continued the nursery's legacy, joined by her two sons, Jim and George.

1960's to 1980's

In the early 1960s, Scott's Nursery significantly expanded its operations, opening parts of the greenhouses year-round to produce a diverse range of plants. This period saw a specialization in flowering potted plants for holidays like Christmas and Easter, along with tropical plants for homes and offices. Their florist shop enhanced community connections by offering a full selection flower shop along with a daily delivery service.

As the demand for flowers, plants and seeds grew, we made better use of the space and now when you enter you find a great assortment of material to start your gardens. Fresh greens for Christmas, planters and garden décor.

The 1970s brought continued growth as Martha and her sons, Jim and George, focused on diversifying their offerings with specialty plants, rosebushes, and fruit trees. By the 1980s, Scott's Nursery had established itself as a leader in the local gardening community, serving retail and wholesale customers throughout New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The family’s commitment to quality and service ensured that the nursery remained a trusted source for all gardening needs.

The Flood of 1973 brought with it sleepless nights and heartbreaks as water filled the greenhouses backing up from the Saint John River.

1990's to 2010's

In 1999, Scott's Nursery underwent significant renovations and expansions of the Garden Center, enhancing the shopping experience and expanding their selection of plants and gardening supplies.

Scott's Nursery like most of the area suffered a great deal due to the great Flood of 2008. Water caused a lot of repair work and a terrible loss in products and equipment.

In 2009, a devastating fire caused by an explosion destroyed six buildings, prompting community support and a determined rebuilding effort. If not for the hard work of many fire departments, more than six buildings would have been destroyed including our main entrance building that was built in 1999.

The 2010s saw the third generation of the Scott family take an active role, expanding inventory and leveraging social media to connect with customers.

In October 2010, following energy audits with support from New Brunswick’s Environment, Agriculture, and Aquaculture departments, we transitioned to wood pellets—a renewable, carbon-neutral resource. Two 3.5 million BTU pellet boilers now supply hot water for heating our year-round greenhouse, garden center, offices, warehouse, soil room, and lunchroom. Our system includes a 100-ton silo, with wood pellets delivered in 35-ton bulk trailers.

In 2018, the Saint john River Valley was again hit by record breaking floods and Scott's Nursery was not spared from the extra work it brought with it.

A fire ravaged Scott's Nursery for the third time in 2019. This time caused by an electrical malfunction. This Fire was again caught just in time to save most structures. Although it caused a lot of extra work to get water, power and heat operational again with another loss in products and tools.

2020 to Present

In response to COVID-19, we expanded our online store and introduced curbside pick-up, offering customers a seamless shopping experience from our website to designated parking spaces. Challenges also brought change, including the difficult decision to close our long-standing flower shop due to reduced demand for cut flowers. We shifted our focus from wholesale to retail, evolving to better meet our customers’ needs.

Scott’s Nursery remains a vibrant hub for gardening enthusiasts and professionals. With six acres of greenhouses, we offer an extensive range of plants—annuals, perennials, tropicals, and nursery stock—alongside top-quality gardening supplies.

Led by the third generation of the Scott family, we embrace modern trends while staying rooted in tradition. Through workshops, social media, and engaging events, we foster a shared love for gardening. With a focus on quality, sustainability, and exceptional service, Scott’s Nursery is proud to be your trusted gardening resource.

Awards and Recognition

Scott’s Nursery, a beacon of horticultural excellence in Lincoln, New Brunswick, has garnered significant recognition over the years for its outstanding contributions to the gardening and landscaping community. The following accolades reflect the nursery’s commitment to quality, customer service, and industry excellence.

2003- Fredericton Chamber of Commerce Intermediate Business Excellence Award

Winning this award highlighted the nursery’s role as a key player in the regional business community, highlighting its sustained excellence and innovation in the horticultural sector.

2018- Canadian Nursery Landscape Association – Garden Centers Canada (Green for Life) Award

The Retail Achievement Award is given to establishments that demonstrate excellence in customer service, innovation, and leadership within the industry, particularly those that promote the Green for Life philosophy, encouraging a deep, societal connection with landscaping and gardening. Scott’s Nursery was honored to receive this award.

2018-The Canadian Nursery Landscaping Association Recognition

Certified Horticultural Technicians in the Retail Garden Centre category. Scott’s staff’s certifications are a testament to the extensive knowledge and expertise in horticulture, further solidifying Scott’s Nursery’s reputation for professional excellence and its commitment to maintaining a highly qualified team.

2022- Queen Elizabeth 11 Platinum Jubilee Medal

This Medal is a symbol of excellence and service, and it is a privilege for George Scott to be recognized in this manner. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the outstanding contributions of a great leader.

2023- The Agricultural Leadership Award

This esteemed recognition is a testament to George Scott’s tireless dedication, visionary leadership, and significant contributions to the agricultural industry. His commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence has not only shaped the success of Scott’s Nursery but has also made a lasting impact on the broader agricultural community.