Monday, January 24, 2022

Terra Sol Garden Center, a November visit

I think it's time for a good old garden center visit, don't you? Terra Sol GC in Santa Barbara (some sources say Goleta) was on my radar thanks to Kris of Late to the Garden Party

I hadn't planned to take photos, in fact I made it all the way to the very back before I busted out the camera and started shooting. It was their fern selection that did it... 

Asplenium antiquum 'Hurricane'... reported to have a "whirlwind" growth habit.

Blechnum gibbum 'Silver Lady', lovely but not hardy in my Zone 8.

Cheilanthes sinuata, a dryland fern.

Not a fern, but hanging out nearby, Trevesia palmata.

The fern I most wanted to take home with me, Blechnum Brasiliense, the Brazilian tree fern.

So stunning! Unfortunately it's only borderline hardy in my Zone and, according to the signage, "not a fan of wet cold"... 

Neither am I you gorgeous fern, neither am I.

This one I didn't get the name of, although I really liked it's shaggy look.

And dark stems...

Once my camera is out it's hard to put it away, so onward...

Cholla skeleton (so the tag said), not for sale.

Someday I am going to be at a nursery selling large Leucadendron argenteum and I'm going to have a car to get it home. It will be an expensive annual but oh so worth every penny.

I grew Banksia ericifolia, in a pot for several years. It's a good one.

Naturally a large section of the nursery was dedicated to succulents, and they seemed extra excited about a few, like these Aloe polyphylla...


Aloe castilloniae


Abromeitiella brevifolia, $40.


Hildewintera colademononis, this large speciman was priced at $399.

I don't remember there being any small ones available.

Agave nickelsiae, $175.

Variegated Agave victoria-reginae, $135.

There were tons of 2 and 4" containers of all manner of succulents. 

Speaking of 4" pots, that's what these variegated Agave attenuata were in, and going for $60.

This one was much larger, and priced at $599.99

My final photo subject, a crazy crested echium going for only $29.99

Some crested plants give me the heebie-jeebies, but I liked this one and would have brought it home with me if I hadn't been flying back to Portland. I wonder what it will look like when it blooms? 

All material © 2009-2022 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

21 comments:

  1. I thought the ferns were incredible until I saw the Monkey Tail cactus. Instant lust.

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    1. Right? I would have found a way to get that one home with me, if I could have afforded it.

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  2. I stop at Terra Sol every time I'm in Santa Barbara, which, admittedly, isn't often enough. It's like visiting an old friend.

    I would have been tempted by that crested echium, too. I've never seen one like that!

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    1. Maybe it will be there the next time you visit?

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  3. It's not a huge nursery but they always have something interesting. I remember swallowing hard upon seeing the Aloe polyphylla the last time I was there before turning away. I might not be able to turn away from the 4-inch variegated Agave attenuata, though. The monkey tail cactus blows me away! I'm hoping to get up there again sometime in late February...

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    1. I look forward to learning how your visit goes!

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  4. It's nice to see unusual ferns that are uncommon in our cooler wetter climate. The Brazilian tree fern is stunning; it reminds me of my Woodwardia unigemmata which is a giant in it's own right and make me very happy.
    The leafs on Trevesia palmata are something else!

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    1. I've never seen such a petite Trevesia palmata, it was adorable.

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  5. Wow - those are some crazy prices! My luck I buy it and it immediately dies...

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    1. PlantPantherJanuary 26, 2022

      I have found that the likelihood of a plant dying on me is directly proportional to how much I paid for it :)

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  6. I love Terra Sol. I never fail to buy something when I go..and I am planning a visit in April.Maybe your mystery fern is Mother Fern -Asplenium bulbiferum ?

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    1. Yep, it looks like it very well could be!

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  7. Love that monkey tail cactus. My heart skipped a beat when I saw it. I also like every one of those ferns. Maybe it's me, but I am bored with the variety of plants available to grow locally. Seems like it's always the same 10 plants. Wish Terra Sol were here.

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  8. Cool nursery but some of the prices, wow! The Monkey tail begs to be stroked but, I am guessing, would only do it once.

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    1. Nah, go with the "grain" and you'd be fine. Probably.

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  9. Looks like a very nice place, but a little high on the Agave prices. Santa Barbara level prices.

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  10. So many cool plants - a gardener's playground! Esp. like the Trevesia palmata, nice!

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    1. Isn't that a beauty? I treasure the one I got from Peter (the Outlaw) years ago.

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