Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Visiting Sunflower Farms in Gardena, CA

After touring Rainforest Flora I still had a little time before I had to be back to pick-up Andrew. I asked the staff at Rainforest if there were any other nurseries nearby and got a list of three, all but Sunflower Farms were closed (it was a Sunday, in late December). I didn't hold out much hope—Sunflower Farms doesn't really sound like someplace I'd enjoy shopping—but decided to check them out...

I'm glad I did! And not just because of the spiky plants, although they were fabulous.

No, this place had charm that was off the charts. I wandered through a hidden maze of plants for sale and plants put in the ground years ago. Perhaps some dated back to 1975? "Sunflower Farms has been owned and operated by the Akiyama family since 1975. Our goal is to help you love growing plants, gardening, and your landscape. We accomplish this by offering high quality products and sharing our expertise, 7 days a week."

A ginger perhaps?

Strolling further the nursery seemed to narrow a bit as it followed a path underneath tall power lines.

They went on forever, but I did not. I new my time there didn't allow for indefinite exploring so I turned back.

I wanted to explore the parts up closer to the office, where there were smaller plants, not these landscape sized beauties.

Love the tunnel...

Stairs to...

More plants of course!

I think I recall seeing a sign saying they sold firewood, but the chairs...maybe a class?

Spikes!

Kalanchoe flowers?

Wow! Check out that Opuntia in a tree.

Close-up

!!!

That's a nice epiphyllum collection.

See what I meant about charm off the charts?

Didn't even know I was there, or maybe it's more accurate to say didn't care?

Don't we all feel this way sometimes?

Indoor plants too!

Although here there more of an indoor/outdoor thing.

I've never heard of nepenthes refered to as "monkey cup", I like it.

It was time for me to be on my way, although it was hard to leave wonderful place. It felt like a garden home away from home, with plants you could buy and take with you (and I did, but that's a subject for tomorrow's post).

Go visit Sunflower Farms if you're near by!

Weather Diary, Feb 17: Hi 51, Low 35/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

13 comments:

  1. You are right about the charm of this place: it is well weathered and inviting. If I were to move to California, this is just the unpretentious place I'd come to get my plants from to start a new garden. The "perhaps ginger" caught my eye too; its magnificent.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would love the chance to visit them in May, there was so much life in the down season (don't get me started about why a place like LA has a down season) that it must be absolutely incredible in spring.

      Delete
  2. You could get happily lost there for hours!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I echo Peter's comment... I can imagine wandering around there for hours quite easily.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would have loved to stay and see every inch...

      Delete
  4. Those power lines... yikes. But what a nice juxtaposition down below! I was inspired by the fourth photo down. The pedestal right up close to the edge of the border. I might have to do that. Fun post, as always, Loree.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The power lines much make for cheaper land don't you think?

      Delete
  5. I know I've been to a garden center near the freeway on Western but I don't remember it stretching out like that. Clearly, time to pay another visit (or possibly my first one!). It's actually very close to OC Succulents LA outpost, also just off Artesia in Torrance but on Crenshaw. Like H&H Nursery in Lakewood and Village Nursery in Huntington Beach, it's unpretentious but looks to be packed with plants.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I look forward to hearing about your visit. It will be interesting to know if you've been there before.

      Delete
  6. This looks like a family run place. Casual and well loved.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow, what a magical place! I love all the winding little paths lined with fantastic foliage. A perfect place to have gotten lost for a while!

    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!