I 'm Sheri Burke, plant lover, and let me say that if there is a plant nursery on my daily path of errands, I stop. If there is a nursery on my path to my BFF’s house, I stop. If there is a nursery on my path to visit family, I stop.

This stop-for-every-nursery path of mine led me to the idea of making yearly trips with my Aunt Patti (just as crazy about all things plants as I am) with no objective except to visit nurseries and public gardens. We pick a general destination, let’s say Oregon. We make a list of all the nurseries on our path, depending upon which freeway we decide to travel. And we head out!

I drive, Aunt Patti navigates. And we have a rule: she has her side of the vehicle, I have mine, and the two cannot encroach on the other without paying rent or a free plant. We take food and drink with us because stopping somewhere to eat means less time at a nursery!

Only after we have been thrown out of the last nursery for the day do we start looking for a hotel. Luckily, we have not had to sleep in the car. We love living on the edge. So come along and enjoy with us our journey of plant nursery joy!

First Visit?

JUST A SUGGESTION! Begin with post 01 Dragonfly Farm. Find my archives here.

April 1, 2022

54 Anderson’s La Costa Nursery

When we arrived at Anderson's La Costa Nursery, Aunt Patti and I just sat in the car for a bit. The marine layer was beginning to burn off and it appeared to be another gorgeous day in SoCal. (I grew up in NorCal—Eureka—where you can wait months for the sun to peek through!) We were parched and needed a snack because we'd already visited two large and eclectic nurseries that morning (both fantastic!), and it was still only 10AM!
March 18, 2022

53 Be Inspired! Be Gutsy!

If you live in California, spring sprang a few months ago. I started sweating first of January doing a landscape install. At least I was being productive while sweating—not just standing still and sweating like in summer. But overactive glands be damned, my mission in life is to beautify one garden after another until I drop. To anyone on a mission to beautify even a single garden, my advice is this: Be inspired and be gutsy!
February 11, 2022

51 Garden Art Exposed!

During this time of year, the garden is quiet. The leaves are finally raked up and the pruning is done. And before new growth comes to partly cover it, I get to see my garden art exposed in all its glory. Which also means, okay, time to move things around again. Because it's easier now. And because when things are nearly naked you notice what can be improved, right? This is also the time of year I just ignore Mike when he says, "When did you get THAT?"
January 21, 2022

50 Talini’s Nursery

Talini's is located in a wealthy neighborhood of East Sacramento known as the "Fab Forties." The homes there (on numbered streets in the 40s) range from tiny and charming to large and stunning—suburban mansions of all sizes and classic architectural styles. They all sit on big lots along tree-lined streets. And within walking distance are excellent restaurants and boutique shops. Just park your car and take a stroll, making sure to include Talini’s which is just as charming and boutique-ish as the rest of the "Fab Forties!"
January 7, 2022

49 This, That, and the Other Thing

Happily, this bird landed under the Christmas tree as my present from Mike. How do you suppose he figured out what to get me? Could it be that he reads my blog and actually got something mentioned in my many not-so-subtle "OMG! I must have this!," comments? Or could it be because the descriptive note that came with the bird matches how my husband sees me? Either way, it's working for me, Friends!!!
December 10, 2021

48 Roger’s Gardens

I might as well tell you right up front that you'll find very high-end products at Roger's Gardens—all with matching very (very!) high prices. But it is an absolutely stunning showplace that fills other nurseries with envy! Which is why "The Real Housewives of Orange County" shop there. And if you don’t know this reality TV show, you live under a rock!
November 23, 2021

47 High-Hand Nursery

High-Hand Nursery in Loomis is a "destination" nursery if ever there was one! It's not full-service—does not carry every annual or every perennial for every season. But it is a very Zen-like nursery where the instant I walk in, the outside world disappears. I go immediately into a "zone" where my creative instincts and plant-love take over and I can't be held responsible for my actions. It's absolutely beautiful!!!
November 5, 2021

46 Darling Daphne

I don’t even know where to begin explaining why I love Daphnes so absolutely much that it has become a bit of an obsession issue with me. Maybe because they're evergreen? Are drought tolerant and come in many sizes? Have fantastic foliage and fragrant flowers that bloom in winter? Or because the damn deer won't eat them?!

Sheri Lynn Burke

My journey began as a small child watching and helping my mom in the garden. Years later, I bought a home, had those kids, had an ugly landscape and thought, "I can do better." So for the next 10 years, thousands (and thousands) of dollars went to plants. But I became a serial killer as 80% of them died. "Screw this!" I said. I had an eye for design but didn't know how to keep the damn plants alive! I procrastinated for 5 years ('cuz I wanted more death) and then became a certified Master Gardener. Four years and three pieces of paper later, I got a Horticulture degree. No longer a serial killer, I'm now a landscape designer and contractor with my own business. I had to train this green thumb that I got from my mother. But, Mom, I owe it all to you!

 
April 1, 2022

54 Anderson’s La Costa Nursery

When we arrived at Anderson's La Costa Nursery, Aunt Patti and I just sat in the car for a bit. The marine layer was beginning to burn off and it appeared to be another gorgeous day in SoCal. (I grew up in NorCal—Eureka—where you can wait months for the sun to peek through!) We were parched and needed a snack because we'd already visited two large and eclectic nurseries that morning (both fantastic!), and it was still only 10AM!
March 18, 2022

53 Be Inspired! Be Gutsy!

If you live in California, spring sprang a few months ago. I started sweating first of January doing a landscape install. At least I was being productive while sweating—not just standing still and sweating like in summer. But overactive glands be damned, my mission in life is to beautify one garden after another until I drop. To anyone on a mission to beautify even a single garden, my advice is this: Be inspired and be gutsy!
February 11, 2022

51 Garden Art Exposed!

During this time of year, the garden is quiet. The leaves are finally raked up and the pruning is done. And before new growth comes to partly cover it, I get to see my garden art exposed in all its glory. Which also means, okay, time to move things around again. Because it's easier now. And because when things are nearly naked you notice what can be improved, right? This is also the time of year I just ignore Mike when he says, "When did you get THAT?"
January 21, 2022

50 Talini’s Nursery

Talini's is located in a wealthy neighborhood of East Sacramento known as the "Fab Forties." The homes there (on numbered streets in the 40s) range from tiny and charming to large and stunning—suburban mansions of all sizes and classic architectural styles. They all sit on big lots along tree-lined streets. And within walking distance are excellent restaurants and boutique shops. Just park your car and take a stroll, making sure to include Talini’s which is just as charming and boutique-ish as the rest of the "Fab Forties!"
January 7, 2022

49 This, That, and the Other Thing

Happily, this bird landed under the Christmas tree as my present from Mike. How do you suppose he figured out what to get me? Could it be that he reads my blog and actually got something mentioned in my many not-so-subtle "OMG! I must have this!," comments? Or could it be because the descriptive note that came with the bird matches how my husband sees me? Either way, it's working for me, Friends!!!
December 10, 2021

48 Roger’s Gardens

I might as well tell you right up front that you'll find very high-end products at Roger's Gardens—all with matching very (very!) high prices. But it is an absolutely stunning showplace that fills other nurseries with envy! Which is why "The Real Housewives of Orange County" shop there. And if you don’t know this reality TV show, you live under a rock!
November 23, 2021

47 High-Hand Nursery

High-Hand Nursery in Loomis is a "destination" nursery if ever there was one! It's not full-service—does not carry every annual or every perennial for every season. But it is a very Zen-like nursery where the instant I walk in, the outside world disappears. I go immediately into a "zone" where my creative instincts and plant-love take over and I can't be held responsible for my actions. It's absolutely beautiful!!!
November 5, 2021

46 Darling Daphne

I don’t even know where to begin explaining why I love Daphnes so absolutely much that it has become a bit of an obsession issue with me. Maybe because they're evergreen? Are drought tolerant and come in many sizes? Have fantastic foliage and fragrant flowers that bloom in winter? Or because the damn deer won't eat them?!