Tonkadale
3739 Tonkawood Road |Minnetonka, MN 55345
hello@tonkadale.com
Hours: Everyday 9 AM – 6 PM
Phone: 952.938.6480
Tucked away in a quiet Minnetonka neighborhood, you might not expect all that Tonkadale has to offer from simply driving by. But step inside, and you instantly know you’re in for a treat. I guess you can consider this our love letter to Tonkadale.
Tonkadale has a long history as a garden center and specialty shop. Originally founded in 1947 by Robert Anderson who specialized in raising African violets, Tonkadale began its life as a simple 18’x100′ structure. Eventually, Anderson sold his business (which had managed to produce over 200 brand-new African Violet cultivars) to Bill and Shirley Maruska in 1978. They oversaw the expansion and growth of Tonkadale as well as a large addition to the facility. In 2016, Bill and Shirley’s granddaughter, Jessie Jacobson, purchased the business and operates the garden center to this day.
Today, Tonkadale offers a variety of services from custom design (porch pots, hanging baskets, and more), horticulture expertise (the staff is *so* knowledgeable), and much more.
Back to the actual facility itself. From the parking lot, Tonkadale appears to be a quaint garden center. However, step inside and you’ll immediately be struck by its beautiful, light, and airy space. The front of the shop serves as a home decor plant goods shop. Step beyond the front space, and you’ll understand how massive Tonkadale is. Inside the greenhouse, you will find row after row of beautiful plants. House plants, annuals, perennials, seasonal varieties, and more. They grow annuals for springtime planting as well as geraniums and poinsettias (and many others). We’ve actually never ever seen geraniums grow so huge!
We love Tonkadale for so many things, but it has a special spot in our hearts for its home decor selection, especially during the holidays. They simply do it right there. The displays are so expertly styled, it’s hard to resist putting one of everything in our cart.
On the greenhouse side, you simply cannot beat the selection at Tonkadale. If you are a house plant enthusiast, here you’ll find all sorts of hard-to-find varietals, and the staff expertise to help you feel confident and knowledgeable about your new botanical purchase. One of our favorite features of the greenhouse is an old card catalog with drawers filled with plant care cards that are yours for the taking if you need them.
Next time you find yourself with a bit of time on the west side of the cities, plan to make a little stop at Tonkadale. You’ll be transported to a mini oasis within the cities and leave feeling renewed.
