Mel's Favorite Things: Nurseries

Flora Grubb Gardens {top}
1634 Jerald Ave
San Francisco

Located in the Bay View - Hunters Point neighborhood - this is the ultimate destination for those in the Bay Area who want to work on their outdoor living space. Staff are friendly and helpful. Their plant selection is sophisticated and thoughtful. Many of the plants are without flowers and the beauty of their selection comes through different colors, textures, and structure of each plant. I've bought a few pots and plants here as well as enjoyed a few cups of Ritual coffee in the bed of a mid-century truck. 

Flowerland Nursery {left}
1330 Solano Ave
Albany

For those who want to stay in the East Bay - Flowerland Nursery is a great resource. Flowerland on Solano has an eclectic collection of greens. Their “front yard” was a place where I drew inspiration and even purchased 3 identical plants. On my last visit, Kevin (one of the staff experts) was extremely encouraging. He distilled so much advice -- and showed so much enthusiasm for the Bay Area many micro-climates. His parting words of encouragement were “plants want to grow…”

Encinal Nursery 
2057 Encinal Ave
Alameda

It’s always important to check out your local nursery. Staff will be able to speak to the nuances in your area. In Alameda, the soil tends to be sandy which means that I may have to water more often as the water filters through quickly. The good people at the Encinal Nursery have been incredibly personable and patient with me. When 3 of Pittosporum trees died, they offered to replace 2 trees despite the human error involved. They also have a great indoor plant selection.