Friday, March 13, 2015

The California Cactus Center

Today we visit the California Cactus Center in Pasadena, this was our second visit, the first time I had no idea what to expect – this time I was better prepared. CCC is a place where there’s a lot to see and a lot to buy, if you have the money.

These are all sharing space with a small parking lot in front of the nursery.

What didn't fit under the shade cloth was tucked under the shade of this old beauty...

If you're the kind of shopper who likes everything to have a price then a visit to CCC might just drive you mad. When there was a label they often had a letter code on them, signifying the price to the staff, making you wonder.

CCC seems to specialize in creatively matching container and plant.

This one I especially like.

Seems those little octo-planters are everywhere!

And the circle pot isn't just at Potted anymore (although I do believe they are the exclusive source). If you're in Portland and want to check them out I know Digs on Alberta is carrying them too.

Blue

Want

We visited on the Eve of Christmas Eve.

Looking right...

Looking left...

That's sort of the dead-end catch all.

The sun was warm even at 10:30 in the morning, after this visit I was off to spend the afternoon wandering the paths of the Los Angeles County Arboretum, what a way to spend a December day...

These were labeled both with a name (Echeveria lilacina) and an actual price ($8.95).

There's Andrew, checking out something fabulous.

Austrocylindropuntia subulata monstrose, Christmas Tree Cactus, from Ecuador and Peru. Only $4.95, I should have bought one. Funny how you get in the looking mode and don't even think to buy.

Agave isthmensis 'Ohi Raijin Shiro Nakafu'

All in all a delightful place to visit.

All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

31 comments:

  1. You found a parking place within a mile? The Christmas elves must have been watching out for you! Can't wait to read your comments on the aloes at the LA Arboretum.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just around the corner! I didn't realize it was such a challenge normally. We stayed 3 nights in Pasadena and the only real parking challenge we faced was due to the Rose Parade set-up. Are you near by?

      Delete
    2. 9 miles south. Luisa expressed the difficulties of parking there better than I did.

      Delete
    3. Aha, ya we didn't ever try for the parking lot. The last time we were there it was smaller (more plants in the front) and it seemed like it was a load/unload area only.

      Delete
  2. Good selections, but I don't get why prices aren't simply labeled in so many places (or plants labeled in gardens).Well, actually I think I know, and it's not a valid excuse. Octo-planters are new to me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The first octo-planters I saw were up here in Portland at Digs. Since then they seem to have been working there way into all the cool shops. It's fun to compare how people display them and plant them up.

      Delete
  3. I am so looking forward to going here! I'm planning to bring a cloth carry-all, maybe even a gym bag, along with wrapping paper and stuff, to carry purchases home in. We're taking the train home, so I won't have to worry about airport luggage handlers. Maybe I should bring two empty bags?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Or you could just round up some boxes if your purchases warrant it?

      Delete
  4. Oh my, the second pic, talk about a tree aloe! It's the sort of place that is best visited in quick succession, first time to peruse and take it all in. The second to buy after perhaps thinking things though overnight.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great plan! Go to gawk, and then return if you find yourself obsessing about something overnight.

      Delete
  5. So I take it their prices are on the high side? Incredible selection, though, and beautifully maintained plants.

    That pot you liked is by Susan Aach, http://susanaachceramics.com/. I recently bought several of her pots on Facebook but haven't found the right "special plant" to put in them yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes they are, and I also think their clientele can afford them. I don't think you and I are their target customers, no judgement about your income level intended.

      Delete
  6. Great stuff to see! Whatever is that cool stick looking plant just before the echeveria shots? (If it were labeled, you'd probably have shared!) Non labeled and non priced plants drive me crazy! How can one start trying to justifying a purchase if there's no price? Loved the succulent combination on that cross - too bad it wasn't a wreath or shallow dish garden - on sale for 90% off!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not a clue, it's cool though isn't it? The absence of succulent wreaths was odd, given the season. Then again maybe they'd sold them all?

      Delete
    2. Fouquieria splendens (commonly known as ocotillo, but also referred to as coachwhip, candlewood, slimwood, desert coral, Jacob's Staff, Jacob Cactus, and vine cactus) is a plant indigenous to the Sonoran Desert and Chihuahuan Desert in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

      Ocotillo is not a true cactus. For much of the year, the plant appears to be an arrangement of large spiny dead sticks, although closer examination reveals that the stems are partly green. With rainfall the plant quickly becomes lush with small (2–4 cm) ovate leaves, which may remain for weeks or even months.

      Above from Wiki. Pronounced here oh/co/tea/yo. Brilliant red-orange flowers after a rain. Can be used as fence posts.

      Delete
    3. Seriously Jane? I've stared at (and photographed) a lot of ocotillo in my time (both planted and flowering and sold as sticks at a nursery) and never seen one with that beautiful white coloring. And this one was small, in a container. I'm stunned! (and wish I would have asked about the price now)

      Delete
    4. Loree, I'm never ever sure of any plant ID especially from a photograph, but look at this one and tell me what you think?
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fouquieria_splendens#/media/File:Ocotillothron02262006.JPG

      Delete
    5. I think it's beautiful! And you're right...wow.

      Delete
  7. If you have to ask, you can't afford it? Or maybe: fall in love and you will be willing to pay any price? Marketing...who can understand it? Fab plant/pot combos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it's a little bit of both actually.

      Delete
  8. I've never been there. (I hate driving through downtown LA - it's fallout of years of working there.) It looks as though CCC has a great selection of both plants and pots but getting to Orange County Succulents in Irvine is easier (and it sounds as though plant prices are much better).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When you head up to the Huntington someday you should plan to stop in here, they're very close.

      Delete
  9. Nice place!! I've seen Austrocylindropuntia subulata "forests" here in Peru. When I get to finish editing the pictures I´ll post them. But I thought it was a plant that was also from North America. I didn't know it was only from Ecuador and Peru!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love this ( and have to confess, I did a huge double-take at your first photo)... I was there yesterday -- stopped by on my way to the Huntington for Karen Zimmerman's talk on aloe propogation. I bought three little plants, and figured I'd take a heap of photos for a blog post. One that would have opened with pretty much the same photo as this post, oy. Glad I saw this first!

    They do have a (new?) board at the front counter showing the prices that correspond to the letters. Prices are quite a bit higher than what I'm used to.

    Parking in their tiny front lot was a challenge. Actually, parking was the easy part -- getting my big pickup out of there with just one other car in the lot was a scream. Ten-point turn, I think. Next time I'll park facing out -- or park at the Starbucks next door :~)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah still use it (the photo) that would be fun! I look forward to seeing your take on it. And interesting about the board, and good to know for next time.

      Delete
  11. Sure is fun to look there, but kind of pricey, yes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And if they can get folks to pay those prices then why not? As long as the rest of us can still look for free!

      Delete
  12. I was just about to ask what that white stalk was and I saw it has already been asked. Wow! Love that Agave isthmensis, such fat little leaves!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Looks like a very cool garden center.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Comment moderation is on (because you know: spam), I will approve and post your comment as soon as possible!