Garden-shopping in Carmel Valley

Sunset, June, 1997 by Linda Joan Smith

Browse for horticultural treasures on the pastoral outskirts of Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel's crescent of silver sand and the deep-sea wonders of Monterey's aquarium draw hordes of visitors year-round to the California coast. But a less crowded part of this tourist mecca beckons traveling gardeners. On a horticultural detour from Carmel or Monterey, you can drive into the rural heart of Carmel Valley and return laden with a choice plant or perfect pot, a bouquet of fragrant roses, and a wealth of gardening ideas.

The route is about a 25-mile round trip from State Highway 1. Along the way and in Carmel Valley Village, there are restaurants where you can dine and delis and farm stands where you can pick up supplies for a picnic in Garland Ranch Regional Park.

Barnyard. More than an acre of terraced flower beds surround the barn-like buildings at this rustic shopping center, built by John and May Waldroup 21 years ago on the site of the old Hat-ton Ranch. Wander among the alstroemerias and roses and quiz longtime gardener John Lyons about his plantings. At noon on any Sunday through September, join a free garden tour led by a horticulturist; at other times arrange a tour by calling (800) 833-2276.

At the north end of the Barnyard, explore the outdoor nooks and crannies of Succulent Gardens & Gifts. Owner Robin Stockwell offers up a symphony of wind chimes, along with birdhouses, fountains, garden sculptures, gazing globes, steppingstones, bonsai pots, and more. Stockwell's specialty is succulents - more than 200 varieties are for sale in 2- to 6-inch pots - and he willingly shares tips for incorporating these plants into a landscape.

* Where: At the end of Carmel Rancho Lane. From State 1, turn east onto Carmel Valley Rd. (G16) and take the first right, Carmel Rancho Blvd.; then turn right again on Carmel Rancho Lane. Look for the Barnyard's hallmark windmill.

* Hours: The gardens at the Barnyard are always open; the shops are open 10-5:30 daily.

Pot Farm. Even many local gardeners have yet to discover the ceramic treasures stacked in the side yard of Hacienda Hay & Feed: more than 5,000 stoneware pots, tubs, urns, and oil jars - some richly glazed and all for sale at wholesale prices. Roosters, turkeys, and guinea hens strut among the imported wares, which range in color from cobalt to ocher, and in size from cup to cauldron. Owner Dave Nelson began selling pots three years ago when he bought the feed store; manager Gail Ludwig plans to start a cut-your-own herb garden this spring. A donkey, goats, and other animals stabled on the property will keep your kids entertained while you shop.

* Where: 7180 Carmel Valley Rd., just past Quail Lodge on the right.

* Hours: 9-5:30 Mon-Fri, 10-4:30 Sat-Sun.

Valley Hills Nursery. You won't find regimented rows of plants at this 1-acre nursery. Instead, you'll stroll along pathways that wind past ever-changing islands of cottage-garden perennials and California natives, through groves of boxed coast live oak and magnolia trees, and into a pair of color-filled greenhouses. Dick and Kazue Tanaka, who have owned the nursery for 22 years, estimate they tend more than 5,000 plant varieties. Look for unusual perennials such as 'Chiapensis' salvia with fuchsia pink blooms and 'Chameleon' euphorbia with wine red foliage. Or choose from an extensive array of standbys, from cyclamen to cypress.

* Where: 7440 Carmel Valley Rd., 1/2 mile east of Quail Lodge.

* Hours: 8-5 Mon-Sat.

Gamble's Flower Farm. Down a dusty drive, past olive, apple, and apricot trees, Carl and Susanna Gamble cultivate a flower lover's heaven on earth: nearly 2 acres of annuals, perennials, and 200 varieties of roses. Pick your own bouquet of bachelor's buttons, cosmos, snapdragons, stock, or sunflowers in season ($7) or have Susanna cut you a custom bouquet of roses - 'Double Delight', 'Just Joey', or 'Mr. Lincoln'. A select stock of nursery plants and potted roses is also available.

* Where: 9000 Carmel Valley Rd. Immediately after you pass the Chateau Julien Winery (watch for the chateau's medieval-looking turret), make a sharp right at the Flower Farm sign.

* Hours: 9-6 Wed-Sat, 10-5 Sun.

Griggs Nursery. Ask some local landscapers why they favor this new 2-acre nursery and they'll say, "Color" - from annual bedding plants to standout perennials. But owners Dean and Barbara Griggs, whose original nursery has been a Pacific Grove mainstay for 17 years, also specialize in uncommon indoor plants. Don't overlook the perennials in 4-inch containers, the terra-cotta pots, or the gifts, from bird-houses to topiaries.

* Where: 9220 Carmel Valley Rd., just around the curve from Gamble's Flower Farm.

* Hours: 8-5 Mon-Sat, 10-4 Sun.

Village Garden. Surrounded by Carmel Valley Village, which still reflects its ranching heritage and flower-child days, this nursery opens onto a decades-old display garden of California and Mediterranean native plants.

Gene and Lynne Iantorno bought the 1-acre nursery and adjoining garden on a whim six years ago; now they offer an extensive array of landscaping plants that run from shrub roses to Western natives like wild mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii). If you visit in summer, search out the Persian mulberry (Morus nigra), one of many mature trees on the property; after sampling its succulent black fruit, you might end up taking a sapling home.