San Diego Nursery List

I have been in the nursery business. It is a very tough way to make a living. Plants are very perishable, and take constant watering and maintenance. The shelf life of a container plant is very short, and bloom times for a container plant are very brief. Once a plant is out of flower, its sale-ability decreases precipitously. I have the utmost respect for entrepreneurs that risk it all to be purveyors of natural beauty to all of us. Nursery owners, I salute you.

I have been working on a comprehensive nursery list for the San Diego area. It is a labor of love. I have found some new nurseries, and become reacquainted with others. I'm sure I will be visiting more garden centers and adding them to "the list".

This has been an IT challenge! I am a total Luddite. Prepping the document, changing formats, and other challenges have made me feel like I have just rolled out Obama Care. Anyway, here is the list. Go visit a nursery. Chat up the owners. Buy something!

San Diego Nursery Listing

This nursery listing is a labor of love. I appreciate entrepreneurial spirit, especially when it is channeled into a love of horticulture and agriculture. I want to support our local nurseries, and enrich them through our patronage. The list is offered as a resource for your plant shopping needs. Please contact me with information about nurseries that should be on the list, or if you are aware of any corrections that must be made. John Clements

johnclements858@gmail.com

South County

Terra Bella Nursery

302 Hollister St. San Diego, CA 92154   619-585-1118

A new one for me, it was recommended by a friend in the Gardener group. On my list for a visit. The photos of it look great. I look forward to a visit.

Recon Native Plant Nursery

1755 Saturn Blvd. San Diego , CA   619-423-2284

A superb source for native and drought tolerant plants. They also supply natives for remediation projects. A really good source for smaller size native trees. When it comes to native trees, it is imperative to plant the smallest specimen obtainable. They will fare much better.

Bonita Creek Nursery

3440 Proctor Valley Rd. Bonita, CA  619.470.2005

Bonita Creek specializes in fruit trees. Mainly wholesale, but open to the public on weekends.

East County

Connelly Gardens

252 Steffy Road, Ramona, CA   760-535-2212

Connelly Gardens is a small farm with big impact. Farmer Tim supplies the finest produce for some of the finest dining establishments in town. They also operate a seasonal farm stand open on the weekends from 9-4 during the height of the growing season. I include Tim in the nursery list because Tim sells seedlings of his select veggie varieties in the spring. Go buy starts for your own garden, and grow what the expert grows; you’ll meet with more success.

Planters Paradise

1146 E. Chase Ave. El Cajon,  (619) 440-6563

Large selection of inexpensive pots. Limited selection of well priced succulents.

Exotic Gardens

14269 Olde Hwy 80 E, El Cajon,  (619) 443-5300

This is the same nursery that used to be on El Cajon Blvd. across from Lafayette Hotel. They have made a new home in El Cajon. I have always loved this place. The new location is haphazardly organized, and the plants...well, they are not pristine. However, it is worth the trip, a good selection at very good prices.

Rancho Valhalla Nursery

1998 Chase Ave. El Cajon,  (619) 590-1025

A fairly large good general nursery, decent prices.

Kuma Bonsai Nursery

11935 Highway 67 • Lakeside, CA 92040 • 619-561-0751

A small nursery specializing in bonsai supplies and plants.

Home Depot El Cajon

298 Fletcher Pkwy, El Cajon,  619-401-6610

I love mom and pop nurseries, and I hesitate to list a Home Depot in the list, but this particular location always has triple the selection of any other locations. Lots of fruit trees and succulents. This Home Depot is worth the stop.

Perennial Adventure Nursery

10548 Anaheim Dr. • La Mesa, CA 91941 •619-670-4247

A fun home business nursery on Mt Helix. Usually open Thursday to Sunday in the afternoon. Call for appointment.

Hunter's Nursery

3110 Sweetwater Rd. Lemon Grove, CA  619-463-9341

This nursery has been in Lemon Grove for decades. Family owned and operated. Good selection.

Evergreen Nursery

9708 Flinn Springs Rd. El Cajon, CA 619-443-0873

A very large drive-thru nursery from the folks that started the whole concept. Large selection, and low prices.

Guatay Nursery

27423 Old Highway 80 • Guatay, CA 91932 •619-473-0129

A nice little nursery between Descanso and Pine Valley, specializing in native plants of San Diego county; particularly, plants for mountain areas of San Diego.

Plant House Nursery

1163 North 2nd St. El Cajon, CA  619-442-2549

Dave Burnett and his family have run this nursery in the same spot for six decades. I have been shopping here for four decades myself. The selection isn't quite what it used to be, but what they have is very well grown, and the prices can't be beat. A nice family run business.

Ausachica Nursery

4827 Sunset Hills Dr.  858-361-6899

Robin Rushmore runs a very nice little home business nursery from her backyard. As the name implies, her specialty is Australian plants; she also carries drought tolerant plants, and native plants. Open by appointment. Don't waste a trip, call first.

Kniffings Discount Nursery

14940 Oak Creek Rd. • El Cajon, CA 92021 •619-561-0611

Ted Kniffing has been in the business a long time. This is a very large family owned and operated nursery with a great selection. A very good selection of one gallon stock.

Home Depot Lemon Grove

7530 Broadway, Lemon Grove  619-589-2999

This Home Depot location has a better than usual "big box store" garden center. The garden center is managed by Rare Fruit Grower Association board member and certified arborist Tom Del Hotal. Better fruit tree choices and often better selections of other plant materials.

Rancho San Diego Nursery

2031 Jamacha Rd. San Diego, CA

A very nice smaller family operated nursery with very low prices. There are some really cool surprises here. Well grown plants. Ask for Marlon, the manager and receive a 15% discount for being a member of San Diego Gardener.

Cuyamaca College Horticulture Dept. Nursery

900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon, CA (619) 660-4261

A fun mini nursery, and for a good cause. Very good prices, but limited selection. Proceeds benefit the ornamental horticulture department of Cuyamaca College.

Central San Diego

Encanto Farms Nursery

Encanto, CA Owner takes appointments to visit via e-mail
Owner Jon Verdick specializes in two of my favorite fruits: figs and bananas. I first met Jon when he did a fantastic lecture on figs and bananas when I worked for Mia at Cedros Gardens. Jon is the fig and banana whisperer. I bought more plants than I could carry that day. If you are looking for the rare varieties, Jon has them.

San Diego Seed Company

www. sandiegoseedcompany.com

My friend Brijette Romstedt and her husband Roger are the inspiration and perspiration behind San Diego Seed Company. Their open pollinated seeds are carefully chosen for their successfulness in real gardens and test plots around San Diego. Don’t know what “open pollinated” signifies? Well, sunshine, that is a whole ‘nother topic for another day. They have started a very cool urban farm in an area not far from the hub of our metropolis, but feels a world away. I expect you will be hearing a lot about these two. Their seeds are carried in fine garden centers, and are also available on line.

City Farmers Nursery

4832 Home Ave. San Diego,  (619) 284-6358

Part farm. Part nursery. Part urban homestead center. Farm animals and lots of fun for all. Farmer Bill is a very nice fellow and a great source of information. Nothing quite like City Farmers anywhere else in town.

Mission Hills Nursery

1525 Fort Stockton Dr, San DIego,  619-295-2808

This nursery is beautifully situated in a charming neighborhood of Mission Hills. This is the oldest nursery in the city; in continuous operation at the same site for over 110 years! It was founded by the famous horticulturist Kate Sessions, the mother of Balboa Park. Nice selection, and knowledgable staff. Mission Hills nursery and Mission Hills Garden Club put on the best garden tour of the year each May. Don't miss it. A new addition is the Espresso Mio coffee cart. Grab a cappuccino and take a seat in the shade among all the beautiful plants.

North Park Nursery

2335 University Ave, San Diego, (619) 795-1855

New (to me, anyway), smaller neighborhood nursery. Will check it out soon.

Walter Andersen's

3642 Enterprise Street, San Diego CA 92110,  (619) 224-8271

Walter Andersen's is San Diego's second oldest nursery. Started by Walter Andersen in 1928. When I worked for the State Parks office in Old Town, our visitor center was one of Andersen's former nursery sites. Some of the greatest horticulturists worked here in the past: Ada Perry, Byron Geer, Mark Anderson, Phil Johnson. Probably the best selection in town for most things.

Ong Nursery

2528 Crandall Dr, San Diego 92111,  858-277-8167

This is a home nursery business that is much larger than you think it will be. They specialize in tropical and Asian fruits. You will find things here, you will find nowhere else. Prices are a little high in my opinion...but then again, they didn't ask my opinion.

Armstrong's Garden Center

1350 W. Morena Blvd,  619-276-9970

One of the better locations of the Armstrong's chain. Good general nursery.

Green Gardens Nursery

4910 Cass St. San DIego,  858-483-7846

Pleasant, smaller neighborhood nursery.

North County

Armstrong's Garden Center

2840 Via de la Valle, Del Mar,  858-755-1574

One of the better stores in the Armstrong chain of garden centers. Well stocked.

Solana Succulents

355 N. Hwy 101, Solana Beach, CA,  858-259-4568

This is a very nice boutique nursery specializing in succulents.

Casa de las Orquideas

170 S. Nardo Ave, Solana Beach, CA,  858- 755-7572

A very nice home nursery business with tens of thousands of cymbidium orchids. If you like cymbidiums, you will find very high quality plants here. Open by appointment only.

Evergreen Nursery

13650 Carmel Valley Road, San Diego,  858-481-0622

This is the location that started the drive-thru nursery concept. A lot smaller than it was at the beginning, but still very large. Large general selection, good prices.

Walter Andersen's Poway

12755 Danielson Court Poway, CA 92064,  (858) 513-4900

The Poway site of Walter Andersen's is a great nursery. A very good selection of succulents, and increasingly, protea. One of the highlights is the extensive outdoor model railroad. My grandchildren love the place. In winter, they have one of the best selections around for bare root trees and vines, and a great selection of roses.

El Plantio Nursery

1322 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido,  760-659-2095

A very nice family owned and operated nursery. They have an excellent selection of edibles, good prices.

Oasis Nursery

10816 Reidy Canyon Trail, Escondido,  760.277.0214

Closed Monday and Tuesday. This is one of my top choices in the county. A stunning display garden! All the plants are beautifully grown and well displayed. Clean, well organized, tidy, well stocked...go just to allow your mind a bit of perfect organization. You need to visit.

Desert Theater Nursery

9655 Kiwi Meadow Ln. Escondido, CA  760.594.2330

A large nursery that specializes in cactus, succulents and euphorbias from deserts around the world. Open by appointment only. Please call first.

Briggs Tree Nursery

1111 Poinsettia Avenue, Vista,  760-727-2727

Briggs is a long time favorite of commercial gardeners and landscapers. This is a huge nursery with great selection and good prices. They also have a yard in Bonsall.

Waterwise Botanicals

32151 Highway 395, Bonsall, CA,  (760) 728-2641

A very good selection of drought tolerant and succulent plants.

Green Thumb Nursery

1019 W. San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos,  760-744-3822

Part of a small chain of nurseries. A very nice general nursery.

Buena Creek Gardens

418 Buena Creek Rd,  San Marcos,  760-744-2810

A nursery site with a long history of varied specialties: bearded iris, day lillies, and now emphasizing unusual plants. On my list for a "re-visit" soon.

Exotica Rare Fruit Nursery

2508 E Vista Way, Vista,  760-724-9093

A good selection of hard to find rare fruits. Frequently, they will have a tasting table when fruits are ripe. It will give you a lot of inspiration.

Clausen Nursery

3132 Blackwell Dr, Vista,  760-724-3143

Clausen's specializes in high quality fruit trees.

Ganter Nursery

3016 Fruitland Dr, Vista,  760-758-8375

Grower and nursery of general outdoor plants and trees.  Well maintained, and well organized.

Rancho Soledad Nursery

18539 Aliso Canyon Road, Rancho Santa Fe,  858-756-3717

This is one of my favorite nurseries, and has been for a long time. Wonderful selection of tropicals, succulents, and bromeliads. Also carries more general items. They do not take credit cards, bring lots of cash or your checkbook.

Pearson's Gardens

1150 Beverly Dr. Vista, CA  760-726-0717

This is a real destination nursery. They specialize in herbs and vegetable seedlings. They also have one of the best selections of scented geraniums around.

Plant Play Nursery

4915 El Camino Real, Carlsbad,  760.730.0012

Nice general nursery. A great selection of protea and succulents.

Andy's Orchids

734 Ocean View Ave. Encinitas,  (760) 436-4239

Andy's grandparents started Adelaide's flower shop in La Jolla (one of the greatest old school flower shops). He has a love of flowers and beauty in his blood. He specializes in orchid species, especially epiphytes. He has an absolutely astounding collection. This is an orchid collector's Nirvana. Open only by appointment. CALL FIRST!

Cal Pacific Orchid Farms

1122 Orpheus Ave, Encinitas,  760-436-0317

A very nice orchid nursery with a great selection of gorgeous plants in bloom every time I visit. Orchids are my favorite plants, so I really enjoy this one. They will also board your plants, and call you when your plants flower. Enjoy the blooms without the work.

Sunshine Gardens

155 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas,   (760) 436-3244

This nursery was a long time favorite of mine for years. I have spent a fortune there in the past. It seems in recent years, this formerly fantastic nursery is trying hard to find itself. It seems to shrink with each visit, and the plant selections dwindle each time I go by (this really pains me to say this). I want local nurseries to thrive and really prosper.

Grangetto's

189 S. Rancho Santa Fe, Encinitas,  760.944.5777

Grangetto's is not really a nursery, though they carry limited selections of color paks and some fruit trees and berries. I include it because it is such a fantastic resource for orchard and vineyard supplies, including cordon works. Their irrigation supplies are very well stocked. You can get things here you can't get elsewhere. They also have locations in Escondido, Valley Center, and Fallbrook.

Gardens by the Sea Nursery

1500 N. Coast Hwy 101 • Encinitas, CA 92024 •760-840-0270

Gardens by the Sea has become a regular stop for me, whenever I am in the north 101 area. This nursery improves with every visit. Large and varied selection of succulents at good prices. A great selection of rare protea and grevillea, but you will pay a very premium price for those. Worth the trip.

Encinitas Gardens Nursery

18135 Aliso Canyon Rd. • Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 • 760-803-7769

Barrels & Branches

1452 Santa Fe Dr. • Encinitas, CA 92024 • 760-753-2852

A smaller general nursery. A decent collection of drought tolerant plants.

Anderson's La Costa Nursery

400 La Costa Ave. • Encinitas, CA 92024 • 760-753-3153

Not affiliated with Walter Andersen's Nursery. The Danes vs. the Swedes on the spelling. Walter was Danish. A nice general nursery. Another nursery that has been flexing in recent years trying to find the right groove. Nice selection of fountains on my last visit.

Garden Glories Nursery

1356 Douglas Drive, Vista, CA   858-449-5342

One of the last nurseries around that still carries perennials. Owner Liz Youngflesh specializes in alstroemeria.

Weidner’s Gardens

695 Normandy Rd. Encinitas, CA 760.436.2194

Once upon a time, Weidner’s operated as a “dig your own” tuberous begonia and pansy nursery, with little else; not that I don’t just love tuberous begonias, I do. But since their start with those pretty begonias decades ago, they have grown into a full service nursery. Wonderful folks, and very knowledgeable help.

Vintage Green Farms

Mail Order out of Hawaii- https://tom-piergrossi.squarespace.com/

Tom Piergrossi is one of the best and most knowledgeable plantsmen and horticulturists I have met. He was a great source of unusual plants for years out of his nursery in Vista. Some of my own favorite plants and trees were sourced through him. Now operating out of Hawaii, Tom is still a great source of very desirable and  rare plants on a mail order basis.