Each year, we ask Orange County Register readers to choose their favorite places to shop, dine, play and do business in OC.
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Here are the top picks for Best garden center and nursery:
1. Armstrong Garden Centers
Multiple locations; armstronggarden.com
Want to grow your own garden, but don’t know where to start? Armstrong Garden Centers are a good place to start.
The one-stop garden shop and nursery has been serving Southern Californians with green thumb aspirations for well over a century and, today, there are locations in Anaheim Hills, La Habra, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach and San Juan Capistrano.
Before you head out to your local Armstrong, though, head over to the chain’s website, where you’ll find ample information to help you on your gardening journey. The Monthly Tips section is particularly helpful with its general advice for caring for both indoor and outdoor plants throughout the year and the DIY Projects section will certainly give you loads of inspiration.
For in-person guidance, check your local Armstrong’s website for info on upcoming classes that tackle subjects like micro gardening, succulents and hummingbird habitats. If you have children who want to get involved in your gardening adventure, look out for kids classes on fun subjects like carnivorous plants and greenhouse crafts.
Armstrong’s stock comes from its own Armstrong Growers division, which operates four Southern California facilities, where plants are grown in environments where no honey bees are harmed by pesticides, various eco-friendly and water saving practices are employed and more than five acres are devoted to 100% certified organic methods.
2. Plant Depot
32413 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano; 949-240-2107; plantdepot.com
“We believe our customers shop at Plant Depot because of our knowledgeable team, unique selection, and the experience we create,” says Jennifer Kittle of Plant Depot. “As a family-owned and operated business, we’ve spent more than 31 years building relationships within our community, and we’re grateful that so many people continue to make us part of their gardening journey.”
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Along with her sister Kristina, Jennifer is the second-generation owner of what has become a San Juan Capistrano institution. Plant Depot is revered for its stunning diversity of plants, including rare houseplants and an impressive selection of California natives and citrus.
The nursery’s gift shop has also become a destination for its eclectic inventory that can include products from local makers, viral toys and hard-to-find specialty items. If you’re looking for something more personal, you might want to opt for Plant Depot’s custom arrangements, where you can select the plants and pottery, or work with a designer to build a unique arrangement for yourself or a loved one.
3. Green Thumb Nursery
23782 Bridger Road, Lake Forest; 949-837-3040; greenthumb.com
Have you heard about xeriscaping? It’s a method of landscaping devised for areas where rainfall is scant that has grown more popular in recent months. It’s also a subject that Green Thumb recently tackled in its newsletter, which is chock-full of information for garden enthusiasts.
Founded in 1946, family-owned Green Thumb is not just a collection of Southern California nurseries (the company also has four other locations in San Diego, Los Angeles and Ventura counties), it’s a resource for information related to growing and maintaining your home garden.
Want to know which plants are best for a yard that’s also home to your pets or which shade trees keep their leaves year-round? Green Thumb has the answers. Want to find out more about a specific plant? Look it up in the Plant Library on the Green Thumb website and create a wish list that you can have on hand when you visit the Lake Forest shop. Need a little guidance or inspiration for your next home project? Check out Green Thumb’s collection of instructional videos on YouTube.
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