Emerald Garden Nursery and Water Gardens

I just moved to south Austin, in my first home, and was delighted to inherit a small pond on the property along with swaths of land eager to become gardens. I found Emerald Gardens online and drove over to take a look and get some advice on what I may need to get things going. When I got there, a woman was behind a desk talking on the phone, so I walked around to see if I could find another staff member, but I did not see another soul — not even another customer. So I waited by their beautiful pond area to allow her to finish her call. After a decent while, when I noticed she was off the phone, I walked in to say hello and ask my questions. Her response to me was bafflingly unfriendly: She pointed to a wall behind me with a bunch of print-​outs with a wide array of various topics and didn’t say a word. I started thumbing through the information print-​outs, but it didn’t answer my basic questions. So I asked her questions about pond maintenance again. She tersely responded with questions of her own: How many gallons is the pond? What kind of fish is in it? Etc. I unfortunately didn’t have the answers and she responded with annoyance, telling me to figure those things out first and come back.
Long story short, I doubt I’ll be back. I don’t know if she’s the owner, but whoever makes the decisions there may want to think about hiring someone else.

First time at this place. We were given a sheet of types of rocks and stones. Which, would have been helpful except there were no signs on most of the rocks/​stones. But overall, good variety. The 2 older men that work here are very helpful (when you can actually find them)

The staff is basically rude and incompetent. The prices here are excessive and the quality is NOT good. They clearly are not looking for repeat customers or long-​term customers. And there’re never anyone there who is «in charge» and can make a decision or provide accurate, serious answers to questions or clarifying information. You can do better going to one of the big box nurseries.

This is a hidden gem! Huge selection, you have no idea when looking from the street, but this place goes on forever and they have a great selection of plants. Also the only place I’ve found large chunks of slag glass for my yard. Great employees, everyone is very nice. The owner of the place was relaxing under a tree and saw me, got up came over and asked how he could help me! This is our new «go to» nursery in South Austin. Took advantage of the Unilocal coupon and got $ 50 worth of stuff for $ 25. Don’t miss out!

Very cool laid back place with nice selection and great prices. 1000x better than Lowes or Walmart!

I’m new to Austin and recently discovered Emerald Gardens. VERY helpful staff, outstanding variety and high-​quality plant materials. Highly recommend you visit Emerald Gardensj before you make you next purchase of plants. I’m not shopping «big box» garden departments ever again!

Jeff @ Emerald Gardens is very knowledgeable about all aspects of gardening, whether for a water garden or general landscaping. The selection of plants, trees & garden ornaments are outstanding. I would highly recommend this business for all landscaping needs.

I go here occasionally to purchase necessary supplies for our pond. They have a decent selection and carry some items for ponds, which other places do not. When we divide our pond plants each spring, we purchase clay soil to amend our potted water plants. Last year I bought two buckets of the soil. This year I again bought two buckets of soil. Only this time, EG did not give the black plastic liner buckets along w/​the soil. They said we would need to pay extra, if we wanted the buckets too. The guy put the soil in an orange plastic bag into our van. The bags broke on our way home. The same happened with the small stones we purchased. While some nurseries actually throw these buckets away, EG charges for them.
In sum, EG caries a few pond items which I might buy for my convenience. Overall, they seem to be in the business more for money than for customer service. They do NOT take water plants back, if they die after you purchase them. No matter what the reason! The personnel here lack people skills, but if you need pond items in the SW, EG might be the closest place to go. I will go elsewhere for general gardening supplies, both for price and for customer service, advice, etc.