Happy Rock Nursery – Chester NJ
Happy Rock Plant Nursery is nestled in the scenic, rural landscape of Chester, New Jersey, Happy Rock Nursery is a family-run operation fueled by a deep love of nature and plants. We’re Larry and Martha—a husband and wife team who turned our passion for growing things into a nursery that serves our local community with pride.
Our journey began when we searched for smaller spruce trees for our own property and realized how hard they were to find. Most nurseries only offered larger trees at much higher prices. We saw an opportunity to grow healthy, affordable 3–5 foot spruce trees – perfect for privacy, windbreaks, and landscaping – at a price our neighbors could appreciate. Today, our typical 3–4 foot spruce tree sells for just $30–$40, often half or a third of what you’d pay elsewhere for something just a little larger. Larger than 3-4 foot trees are still not plentiful and we sell out, but we have lots more growing for the years to come.
Deer Resistant Plants
We grow a wide variety of trees, shrubs, and perennials on our 11-acre property—though not every acre is nursery land. We do specialize in deer resistant plants and grow a large number of Norway Spruce Trees, White Spruce, and Green Giant Arborvitae. Part of our property remains beautifully wooded, and we manage this woodlot with care to keep the forest healthy. From time to time, we offer seasoned firewood for sale in 4 foot by 8 foot racks. Firewood is available in limited quantities and only for local customers who can pick up from our location.
Chester NJ Plant Nursery
At Happy Rock Nursery, every plant is grown right here from seedlings, cuttings, or transplants. Our hands-on approach ensures you get robust, healthy plants adapted to our local climate. We specialize in privacy borders and windbreaks—like Norway Spruce, Arborvitae, and Viburnum—but you’ll also find a every expanding selection of ornamental trees, flowering shrubs, and perennials.
When you support Happy Rock Nursery, you’re supporting a local, family business deeply rooted in the Chester community and the land itself. We look forward to welcoming you to our nursery—at our Saturday sales or by appointment. If you’re interested in firewood, just ask about current availability!
When you see our sign up – we are open. At present we are open by appointment and most Saturday mornings March-late June and Sept-Late October.
Happy Rock Nursery – What’s in a Name?
Our property was originally part of a larger tract of land when husband and wife Roger Duvoisin and Louise Fatio built a home on approximately 17 acres in 1936. Both artists, they were born in Switzerland and came to Chester, NJ via New York, Gladstone, NJ and later around 1936, Chester Township, NJ. Later Roger and Louise carved out a 6 acre lot, leaving 11 to remain with the current property, and their architect son built a beautiful home.
Roger Duvoisin was multi-talented, and excelled in the area of illustrations but also designed the passive solar, mid century modern home on the property. As an illustrator, Duvoisin won the Caldecott Medal for White Snow, Bright Snow, written by Alvin Tresselt (D. Lothrop Co., 1947). He was also a regular contributor as an illustrator for the New Yorker magazine in the 1930’s to 1960’s. Roger drew countless and very popular covers for the magazine for 3 decades. There is no question many of his designs were inspired by the property, large pond (Built by Duvoisin), and the surrounding western Morris county area. Roger and Louise enjoyed calling Gladstone, NJ, Happy Rock and thus eventually named their own property and home Happy Rock. We just wanted to continue the tradition!
Come visit our Chester NJ Plant Nursery
