77 Johnson Garden Center
March 10, 2023
79 Home Depot
April 14, 2023
Half Moon Bay Nursery
11691 San Mateo Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 • (650) 726-5392
Yelp
H o.ly. Crap!!! AP and I visit this place EVERY YEAR. So just sayin’…if you have never been to Half Moon Bay Nursery, get off your garden pots and go!
I’ve been here so many times, let me show you around.
First of all, when you’re driving on 92 West toward the nursery and that map woman tells you to turn left into the nursery, DON’T. Keep driving a ways further (it’s a big place!) and take the second left, because the first is the EXIT. Been there, done that at least 3 times.
Now 92 West is a 2-lane road with no turning lane, so when you’re getting close to that second left, slow down in advance instead of slamming on the brakes last minute—unless you like hearing angry honking from drivers behind you.
Been there, done that e-v-e-r-y time.
Now find your parking spot and pick your entrance. There are 3 of them, here are 2…
Not what you would call beautiful, right? But who cares! I want the INSIDE of a nursery to speak to me. (Don’t you?) And this one does!
Wear comfy shoes, there’s lots of buildings ahead and you’re in for a lot of waltzing.
We have to start somewhere so let’s check out their great selection of shade plants—and be grateful for signs that tell you where you’re at (so many buildings) so you don’t get confused or have to phone your companion to come find you, sigh.
You can never have enough ferns, so pick some out. You’ll seldom see a selection like this. And besides…foliage, Readers. FOLIAGE!!!
Walk slowly through the begonias, you’re going to enjoy the experience…
The first time AP and I came here, I went crazy and stocked up on begonias. But…
…dead in a month.
My summers are too hot for them. Even if I stick them in dark shade, they literally melt.
But OMG, if you can grow begonias, buy them here. Half Moon Bay is famous for its begonias.
It’s also famous for geraniums…
As you know, Mike calls geraniums “old lady flowers,” and I’m sorry about that, Readers.
He is no reflection of me.
I have this one but mine always looks scraggly…
Geranium ‘Rozanne’ (Cranesbill)
I planted it under the Lemon Cypress because I like purple and yellow together, but I suspect it will soon be moving to a new home.
I’ve read it’s a non-stop bloomer.
Yeah. No.
Speaking of a favorite color combo, I couldn’t pass on this one, could I…
Penstemon ‘Pristine Lilac Purple’
Yep—always thinking purple and yellow joined at the hip!
Now I have never seen a Blue Hibiscus cultivar until I came upon this beauty and had to have it…
Alyogene huegelii ‘Monterey Bay’ (Santa Cruz Hibiscus or Blue Hibiscus)
Unlike the common Blue Hibiscus, this one has very dark blue flowers. Although it sure looks like purple to me!!!
All hibiscus are evergreen, and this one is hardy to 25-30 degrees. But we’ve had 3 months of freezing temperatures here and I noticed the tips were dying. So I transferred it from my holding area to the greenhouse where it will stay until I say it’s safe to go outside.
Next stop, natives. Hmm…look them over in case something catches your eye, though it rarely happens for me.
However—yes, it’s a native—but this Abutilon caught my eye…
Abutilon palmeri (Palmer’s Indian Mallow)
I stood for several minutes turning it this way and that, getting a good look and contemplating.
I ended up walking away…and I don’t really have a reason. It didn’t speak to me I guess. Sometimes you have to get past your first impulse and listen deeper.
Bet you have never seen this plant…
Echibeckia ‘Summerina Electra Shock’
It’s a cross between an Echinacea (hardiness) and Rudbeckia (appearance) which means the flowers should last longer and with a longer bloom season.
I stood staring at it for like 3 minutes—a long time for me—and then walked away (though AP may have bought it). This time I knew why. The color of the flowers was too dark. They would get lost among my other 5000 plants.
Here’s another one I bet you haven’t seen…
Leonotis leonurus ‘Variegated’ (Variegated Lion’s Tail)
We’ve all seen the common Lion’s Tail with green foliage, but Half Moon Bay Nursery has it in variegated form.
And that’s another reason we visit this nursery every year and why you should too…for it’s surprises!
Moving along to the nursery’s impressive variety of perennials. How can I even describe this sight to you…
Sea Of Love
It’s just “heaven” to me and I think it will be for you as well.
There are many reasons for buying a plant, but for me and AP it’s not usual to buy one to chew on.
AP had to have this one, however…for that reason.
Spilanthes oleracea (Toothache Cress)
LOL! She had a toothache! And long story short—we ended up at CVS.
Okay. You want shrubs? We’re going there next…
Every time I visit here, I look to find this particular shrub…
Cantua buxifolia (Sacred Flower of Incas)
I love Sacred Flower but sadly my place is just too cold for me to have one of my own. So I spend a nursery moment with her every chance I get.
(FYI, she’s only sold in 15-gallon containers no matter what nursery you find her in. She’s that special.)
You want succulents? Of course you do.
You know how I love good nursery displays, and you can’t say goodbye to Half Moon Bay Nursery until you’ve seen them all. (Tired yet?)
Here comes Spring…thank gawd!
Finally after a long morning of waltzing through Half Moon Bay Nursery—that’s like no other nursery in many ways—you’ll want to head over to Main Street for lunch. But don’t forget to stop at Highway 92 Succulents and Alena Jeans on your way.
Half Moon Bay, my friends. Ho.ly. Crap!!! Pick your day and gas up your car. It’s never better than on a beautiful spring morning.
Just sayin’…
