Founded in 1980 by Tobi and Sally von Trapp, The von Trapp Greenhouse has supplied gardeners’ dreams for the past twenty-six years on Waitsfield Common in Waitsfield, Vermont. Tobi grew up on a dairy farm across the road, so he has a strong background in agriculture. Sally has an Associate Degree in Horticulture from Temple University in Pennsylvannia. Our combined backgrounds have enabled us to carve out a niche in central Vermont growing unusual plants of exceptional vigor.

Unlike garden centers, which purchase the majority of their plant material as finished product from outside sources, The von Trapp Greenhouse grows all of its own plants from seeds, cuttings or divisions. The local zoning ordinance precludes us from selling supplies or accessories in the agricultural/residential zone where the business is located. Consequently, all of our energy is put into growing extraordinary plant material. The von Trapp Greenhouse offers over 550 cultivars of annuals, over 500 cultivars of perennials, and about 100 cultivars of herbs and vegetable plants.

Our operation includes six greenhouses (approximately 14,000 square feet of growing space) and a network of coldframes to provide protection for frost tolerant annuals and young perennials.

Seed sowing begins in mid-January and continues through May. By March the greenhouses are filled with seedlings. The business opens for spring sales on May 1st and remains open daily through July (except the 4th), with reduced hours in August and September. Our display garden is open to the public for viewing throughout this period during our business hours.

Spring is an incredibly intense time for us. Four full time and three part time seasonal employees are hired each year to get all the work done. Some of these employees have worked at the greenhouse for many spring seasons, dovetailing the spring greenhouse work with other resort area jobs during the fall and winter months. Vee Lynch owns Cabin Fever Quilts, a local quilt shop. Callie McAllister runs the Cricket Club childcare center at Mad River Glen ski area. Jewls Cohen assists her husband at his take-out business, Michael’s Good to Go. We have a terrific staff - all incredibly hardworking people who love gardening.

After months of 10 to 12 hour days, seven days a week, we are definitely ready for the quieter months of fall and winter when fall clean up, maintenance, forcing bulbs and the ordering of seeds and cuttings for the following spring are the only demands on our time.