On a recent visit to
Deep Roots Garden Center in Manhattan Beach, I was surprised to realize that I'd never written a post about it. When it opened, I lived in one of the nearby beach cities but not long afterwards we moved to our current house, roughly 15 miles to the south, so I don't have an opportunity to drop in regularly. However, the garden center specializes in water-wise plants and, as I'm currently on the hunt for more drought-tolerant selections, I swung by there twice recently, once with my camera in tow.
The garden center sits on a relatively small plot on Sepulveda Boulevard, surrounded by retail businesses on 3 sides and homes in the rear. The staff makes maximum use of the space they have available.
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| The parking lot doubles as storage for fruit trees, like this Guava tree, and bedding plants |
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| Entryway to the garden center's main area |
There are lots of succulents, although some of the most interesting are available only in large containers at hefty prices.
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| I loved this Aloe greenii 'Icena,' seated next to a Beschorneria yuccoides |
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| There were lots of small succulents |
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| And some very big ones, like the Furcraea and Agave 'Blue Glow' here |
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| I couldn't find the ID for this Agave but I liked the bright spines |
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| This Aloe camperi 'Jennifer' was new to me |
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| I think a spiral Aloe may go on my Christmas wish list |
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| Dyckia 'Naked Lady' isn't as spiky as those I have but it was attractive |
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| If I knew where to put this Synadenium grantii, a relative of the Euphorbia, it might have come home with me |
Beyond the succulents, there are shade plants.
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| Maybe it was the red background but I fell for this Begonia 'Paul Hernandez,' which grows 4-6 feet tall but, with nowhere to put it, it was left behind |
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| Unfortunately, Cordyline 'Caruba Black,' shown here with Persian Shield, requires lots of water |
Perennials can be found lined up at the other end of the garden center.
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| I'm trying to think of a place for this purple smoke bush |
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| Digiplexis 'Illumination Flame' looks great in front of a red wall |
Edible and water-wise plants are a few steps up and toward the back of the property. I came in looking for
Leucadendron 'Jester,' which they had but only in large pots.
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| The Leucadendron collection |
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| A variety of drought tolerant plants arranged around a huge driftwood centerpiece |
I came home with a
Grevillea 'Ned Kelly,' a
Vitex agnus-castus, and 2
Pentas lanceolata. As a bonus, I got a good picture of a Gulf Fritillary.
All material
© 2012-2014 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
