Angle Acres // Photo x Francesca Bond
As you pull over on the side of the Orchard Park road, you’ll see a little sign that reads Angle Acres. You’ll feel like you’re walking on someone’s front yard at first, but find your way to the back and you’ll see multiple, lush greenhouses that will instantly transport you to the Amazon rainforest, or so it feels.
People often tell the owners that their tiny slice of green paradise is similar to going to the Botanical Gardens. Read: better, because you could actually buy the plants. Although not all the plants can be bought, some aren’t for sale and are instead showcased for their beauty. To be fair, they are literally still in the ground.
Angle Acres / Photo x Francesca Bond
Angle Acres // Photo x Francesca Bond
“Hidden gem” may be an overused phrase, but nothing describes this place better. Sorry not sorry. Tucked away and unassuming from the road, you’ll be blown away by the beauty and affordability of the greenhouses. It’s run by the Boldt family, a mom (Louise), dad (Robert), and daughter (Judy) trio, who are warm, helpful and passionate about plants, Judy even knows the names of nearly all 500+ varieties of cacti they sell. Yes, we said cacti. Tons of ’em.
None of the prices are marked, but when you ask, Judy will give you a general idea and will tell you the price of each one.
Their specialty is houseplants. Aside from the sheer quantity of unique options of cacti, succulents, and tropical plants, they boast many rare varieties you can’t get anywhere else in the area. Along with those trendy, Pinterest-board-worthy plants (no, like seriously), they also sell orchids and large tropical plants, so you can slowly, or quickly, turn your living space into a greenhouse yourself. After spending a few minutes in there, you’ll be more than inspired to.
Angle Acres // Photo x Lauren Spoth
Angle Acres // Photo x Lauren Spoth
The Boldts opened Angle Acres 41 years ago. The couple always liked plants and Robert attended college for horticulture. What started out as an overflowing collection of houseplants turned into a business.
“Eventually it got to where it’s like ‘Okay maybe we should sell some stuff!” Judy said of when her parents first started. Fast forward 40 years and now Judy is taking over.
Aside from humans and plants, a few animals roam the grounds and add to the charm of the place. Three cats and three dogs live at Angle Acres and they’re quite friendly. Sometimes they’re laying outside, lazily guarding the greenhouses, or possibly climbing up onto the plant beds, navigating around cacti to try to get a pet out of you.
One of the three cats at Angle Acres, doin’ its thing. // Photo x Francesca Bond
Angle Acres Greenhouse
What they have: Mostly houseplants. Succulents, cacti, tropical plants, ferns, citrus plants, orchids and more. They’re open all year, they sell annuals and vegetables for spring and make wreaths in the winter.
Prices: Most are unmarked but on average, the smallest succulents and cacti, around 3 inches, cost $3, the slightly larger ones, 4 inches, cost $5 and the rest go up from there. The prices range greatly depending on size and type of plant.
Fun fact: Angle Acres is unique for many reasons, but one of them is that they sell citrus plants. You wouldn’t think anyone in WNY would have a use for a citrus plant, given our brutal winters, but you can actually grow them inside during the winter and they’ll grow fruit.