WHAT’S GROWN IN EAST COUNTY STAYS IN EAST COUNTY! A GUIDE TO EAST COUNTY NURSERIES

By Pamela Homfelt, pH Exterior Design

June 1, 2009--If you’re landscaping or gardening in East County, why go anywhere but locally for everything plants? With the great variety and quality of plant nurseries plus economical, environmental and horticultural reasons, there is no reason to travel any further than right around the corner.

Most of our East County nurseries are growers, meaning they grow their plants on the premises from seed or very small plants called liners. Transportation costs and environmental hazards are greatly reduced. Buying locally grown food is now advocated as an important environmentally responsible practice, the same can be applied to purchasing garden plants.

Just like frequenting your favorite restaurant, forming a personal relationship with a favorite nursery can be very advantageous.

As we all know our climate is considerably different from coastal areas. Plants grown coastally are acclimated to cool, sometimes foggy days and even cooler nights. Coastal air contains more humidity and even the intensity of the sun is less than the eastern portion of the county. Plants grown in the same environment in which they live will establish with less stress. What happens when we are happy and less stressed? We are healthy. The same is true for plants and trees: when gardening in East County check out these East County Nurseries:

ARMSTRONG GARDEN CENTERS/EL CAJON

1755 E. Main Street

El Cajon 92021

619.442.9281

Hours of Operation: 8 – 6pm Daily

www.armstronggarden.com

Armstrong Nursery with 33 statewide locations is hard to beat for consistent quality and selection. You will notice however, each location has a unique personality. The array of pottery is outstanding, complementing almost every garden style. Trellises, arbors, fountains, statuary, outdoor furniture and so much more, will satisfy every gardener’s cravings. Check out their great selection of hats from San Diego Hat Co., another locally owned company.

With three Southern California growing grounds supplying most of their stock, an outstanding selection of prime plants, including herbs, veggies, perennials, succulents, flowering landscape shrubs, grasses, vines, and fruit trees is always available. Check out the ‘Stepables” groundcover that can take some foot traffic. Historically famous for their rose selection, Armstrong’s is usually one of the first to have the newest hybrids, many with colored foliage. Oh, almost forgot, the houseplant selection is fantastic!

BLOSSOM VALLEY PROTEA

619.561.8287 Office

619.322.5627 Cell

By Appointment only

www.blossomvalleyprotea.com

If seeking the rare and unusual a visit to the largest Protea nursery in the United States, right here in our own East County is a must!

These magnificent landscape plants, from our sister Mediterranean countries of Australia, New Guinea and South Africa, are grown right on the home based grounds. Thriving in our warm dry climate, Proteas are also an absolute must for any cutting garden. Owner Walter Perkola, an expert on these spectacularly blooming plants is also available for consultation.

HUNTER’S NURSERY

3110 Sweetwater Road

Lemon Grove 91945

619.463.9341

Hours of Operation: Mon/Sat: 7:30 – 5pm

Sun: 9 - 4pm

So many nurseries are family owned businesses but Hunter’s just might hold the record as the oldest. In 1919 Howard Hunter opened Hunter’s Nursery on the same plot of land which it now sits. Currently managed by Howard’s grandson Guy Hunter and his mother, Betty, the 90-year-old family business is alive and well.

Quality landscape plants and trees, from 1 gal to 24” boxes neatly fill the three-acre parcel. Bagged soil, amendments, fountains, statuary and more make this nursery a treasure for surrounding communities. Delivery services are available for larger orders.

KNIFFINGS DISCOUNT NURSERY

14940 Oak Creek Road, El Cajon 92021

619.561.0611

Hours of Operation: Mon/Sat: 7 – 5pm

Sun: 10 – 4pm

www.kniffingsnurseries.com

With over 468 rose varieties listed on the website, roses are are the specialties of the house. Since 1927 the 12 acre nursery has been an East County icon and Ted considered one of the premier speakers on everything coming up roses.

Do note however, this nursery is also stocked with a great selection of low water use perennials, natives of California and other Mediterranean regions, trees, tropical and deciduous fruit trees, just about everything the gardener or homeowner could ask for. Ask about the abundant supply of organic fertilizers, compost and worm castings keeping all locally grown plants happy and healthy.

Announcement! Local expert, Ted Kniffing, has a weekly question and answer style garden program on am KPRZ/1210 from 7:30 – 8am every Saturday. So enjoy the birds and a cup of coffee and call in to 866.577.2473 before the gardening day begins.

MR. G’S TREES

11935 Highway 67

Lakeside, CA 92040

619.561.0751

Hours of Operation: 9 – 4pm Mon., Wed., Fri.

9 – 5pm Sat. & 12:30 – 5pm Sun.

Formerly Rancho Jojoba Nursery, this classically charming nursery is stocked with some pretty unusual low water use landscape plants and trees, flowering shrubs, perennials, natives and Australian plants.

Surprisingly, the new owner, Rachele Melious, with dirt under her nails and a huge sun shading garden hat, was a bio chemist in another life. But upon understanding her knowledge and expertise, the connection is apparent. Rachele’s knowledge of hypo-allergenic plants and trees is truly impressive. If you are an avid gardener with a history of allergies or asthma you really have to visit Mr. G’s Trees. Fruit trees, flowering plants, and veggies fill the shelves so give the ‘little nursery that could’ your business. You will be happy you did.

While visiting Mr. G’s check out the very neat and orderly woodworking factory and examples of some of the cutest garden sheds anywhere in the county, beautifully hand crafted and customized to each client. Russian born Igor Kustanove, of San Diego Custom Sheds, www.sandiegocustomsheds.com, is a superb craftsman with attention to detail to admire.

PERENNIAL ADVENTURES NURSERY

10548 Anaheim Drive

LaMesa 91941

619.660.9631

Hours of Operation: Thur., Fri.,Sat., 10 – 4pm

Appointments available during the week

If inspiration is required for a garden redo look no further. The home based nursery, in operation for 23 years, is surrounded by picture perfect, mature display gardens, lovingly tended by owner and landscape designer Chris Wotruba. Chris says only plants that thrive with minimal care and water are deemed worthy of a place in her garden. Chris even extends an invitation to all visitors wishing to visit the garden, please though, give a courtesy call. Specializing in flowering, low water use, shrubs and perennials, this jewel of a nursery, tucked in the hills of Mt. Helix, is a must for avid gardeners.

PETUNIA AND POMEGRANATE

2442 Alpine Blvd

Alpine 91901

619.722.6726

Hours of Operation: Mon./Sat. 9 – 7pm

Sun. 10 – 5pm

Once the home of Mission Hills Alpine nursery the new Petunia and Pomegranate has a royal lineage. Darin Engh is grandson to Hank Engh ‘The Petunia King’, a famous grower of annuals, and yes, petunias, in the state of Utah. Check out Darin speaking on ‘new garden trends’ on the Engh website www.enghgardens.com. The caliber Darin brings to the new Alpine location will also become apparent when realizing his heritage.

Everything blooming is the nursery’s forte. Annuals, perennials and blooming shrubs are the main feature but fruit trees, blueberries and grapes also entice the edible gardener.

To round out the outdoor living space, patio furniture, gazebos and statuary, along with a well stocked gift shop, make this a destination for all passionate gardeners. If wishing for container gardens spilling over with bloom the container garden display will inspire. Perhaps a consultation for container gardens customized to your home might be the answer?

RANCHO VALHALLA NURSERY

1998 Chase Ave

El Cajon 92020

619. 590.1025

Hours of Operation: Mon./Sat. 8 – 5pm

Sun. 9 – 4pm

Landscaping? You might want to head over to Rancho Valhalla Nursery, also home to Monterey Landscape, a design/build landscape construction company prospering for over 34 years. Owner Ross Eliss logically entered the nursery business in 2004. As reason might dictate, landscape plants: trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, groundcover, palms and specimen plants fill the 4 acre growing grounds. Pottery, fountains, birdbaths, soil amendments and a vast array of organic pesticides and herbicides complete the inventory. Affordable Equipment Rental, renting everything from mulchers to tractors, is yet another division of the one stop landscape center.

ST. MADELEINE SOPHIE’S CENTER

2119 E. Madison Ave

El Cajon 92019

Hours of Operation: Mon./Fri, 8 – 4pm

Saturday hours soon

Look for updated nursery info

@ www.stmsc.org/programs

The nursery, located within St. Madeleine school for disabled adults, is designed as a vocational training ground where students obtain professional retail nursery and propagating skills, enabling them to work in the business. The students are actually paid to work in the nursery, just like the employees they will oneday become. Marian Happ, a California Certified Nursery Professional, guides the students in plant care, starting plants from seeds and cuttings while managing the extensive nursery business.

The two-acre garden site includes a full citrus orchard, organic vegetable and flower gardens, two 1,500-square-foot facilities (a greenhouse and a propagation house), ornamental trees, shrubs, herbs, and a worm farm. Winding paths meander through lovely low water use demonstration gardens which also serve as a rental facility for weddings and other events.

SIMPSONS GARDENTOWN NURSERY

13925 Campo Road

Jamul 91935

NO PHONE

www.simpsonsnursery.com

Talk about a family outing! Even the family member with the biggest purple thumb will find something delightful at Simpsons. Originally, Simpsons Nursery, founded in 1928 by Hal Simpson, was located in Pasadena.

Not a depression, war nor fire could deter Hal from building a thriving business with 47 phone lines! Unfortunately, or fortunately for us, construction of the 210 freeway right through the middle of the nursery did force Hal to relocate to the old Barrat House Ranch. On the new 25 acre plant nursery, no phone lines were allowed! Managed currently by his granddaughter Cathy and husband Lee, the nursery, now surrounded by the town of Jamul, is indescribable.

Ahead of their time, low water plants have always been stocked, while the selection of citrus and fruit trees is astounding. But the farm animals, gift shops, pottery, garden tools and statuary selection is not the end of the story. Over 50 antique and collectible cars, categorized by era, fill two barns which could almost be classified as museums. Memorabilia adorning the walls includes many family heirlooms along with other bygone Americana. A collection of vintage campers, including some diminutive tear drop campers, is yet another dimension of this East County fantasyland.

True to Hal’s tradition the nursery still has no phone but they do now take credit cards and the website is fantastic.

SUMMER’S PAST FARMS

15602 Olde Hwy 80

Flinn Springs 92021

Hours of operation: Wed./Sat. 9 – 5pm

Sun. 10 – 5pm

www.summerspastfarms.com

With so many activities and specialty products at Summer’s Past Farms it is difficult to even begin portaying the charming little farm on Historic Highway 80. An herb nursery yes, but also a handmade soap shop, country store, workshops and of course demonstration gardens depicting the endless variety of herbs suited to low water use gardens. Fairy gardens in perfect scale for children’s enjoyment, a coffee and tea bar, hand crafted post and timber barns to admire and, of course, fragrant, blooming plants and herbs galore, make Summer’s Past a perfect family destination.

WALLY’S WORLD NURSERY

15888 Old Hwy 80

El Cajon

619.443.2794

Hours of Operation: Daily 7 – 5pm

With six and ½ acres of growing grounds stocked with fruit trees, landscape trees, low water use plants, palms and bromeliads from 1 gallon to 36” boxes, this local nursery is a favorite of homeowners and landscapers alike. The family owned nursery provides delivery and consultation services for those requiring assistance with plant choices.

ADDITIONAL EAST COUNTY NURSERIES

PLANT HOUSE

1163 2ND Ave.

El Cajon 92021

619.442.2549

Hours of Operation: Daily 9 – 5:50pm

Sun. 10 – 4pm

HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH

3725 Hwy 67

Ramona 92065

760.788.3478

Hours of Operation: Wed./Sun 9 – 4:30

FRONTIER NURSERY

2031 Jamacha Rd

El Cajon 92019

619.590.1025

Hours of Operation: Daily 7:30-5pm

JOHN E. WOLFE NURSERIES

4994 DEHESA ROAD

EL CAJON

619.401.1151

Pamela Homfelt established pH Exterior Design, a San Diego Landscape Design/Consulting/Project Management firm over 20 years ago. Pamela’s entire career has been devoted to designing, studying, teaching and promoting low water use landscapes, both residential and commercial.

Since the early ‘90’s Pamela has designed numerous low water use landscapes, including 3 demonstration gardens for the Wild Animal Park, City of San Diego Environmental Services and the San Diego County Water Authority.

619.471.1090

phdesign@cox.net

www.phexteriordesign.com