Succulent Gardens - The Place to Buy Succulents...and Get Great Ideas!

This weekend we drove to Carmel and had a wonderful time, but the highlight for me was along the way in Castroville! I’d read about Succulent Gardens, The Growing Grounds, a nursery that specializes in all kinds of succulents, so we made a side trip and I’m  so glad we did! (Even John loved it…an architect, he likes the “clean lines” inherent in succulent plants!)

Located on Elkhorn Road, it’s a little out of the way and upon arrival we couldn’t find a sign so we were hesitant to go in. However, not being known for shyness, I forged ahead and asked some people working around the outside if we were in the right place. Just a head’s up- it’s the first driveway…not the second driveway. If I’d done that right I’d have seen the entrance and not wandered around like a ….well you get the idea!

Wow…what a wonderland of succulents inside that huge greenhouse! From “Living Stones” to “Baby Toes” and “String of Hearts” to “Burros Tail”, (some of my favorites), we saw more amazing plants than I have ever seen in one place! (And that’s after having been with the Garden Writers of America and touring San Diego on a succulent tour years ago…we’re talking a ton of plants!)

The huge succulent globe rotating by the parking lot is a pretty impressive sight:

Then, stepping inside, we found pots galore, neat rows of succulents laid out on benches in a greenhouse with wonderful light for photos, along with wooden letters, birdhouses and wreaths ready to plant…I could go on and on but I think I’ll just show you what I was so excited about!

Impressed? If you can’t find what you want  by walking around in a happy daze, just ask for Angie! She can point out anything they have and take you right to it! She made the trip even more fun with her friendly willingness to help and her knowledgeable recommendations.

I loved a square clay planter I found in their huge pot selection and picked out some favorites to plant, including a colorful sedum called “Pork & Beans”. (A friendly customer  told me I should never grow it near my chickens though, since they love to eat them – have you ever noticed how delightfully friendly gardeners are – I love it!)

Well, I think you get the idea that this is a great nursery and worth a visit!  It’s worth the drive just for the myriad ideas you’ll get for using your favorite plants..  They have a special event called the Succulent Extravaganza coming up on September 27 & 28, 2013. Check out their website under “events” for information: www.sgplants.com

I’ll leave you with a little more inspiration….I have to go out now and start work on my little succulent planter! Enjoy!

By the way, if you’re wishing you could identify these beauties and wanting to learn more about succulents in general….do what I did and get a copy of Debra Lee Baldwin’s book, Succulents Simplified!

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