A Visit To Rancho Soledad Nursery

Aloe speciosa:
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Aloe speciosa:
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If you start in Crescent City California and drive south, the climate gradually becomes sunnier, warmer, and drier.  60 inches of rain per year becomes 40, then 20, then 15.  By the time you get to San Diego, 60 inches of rainfall becomes 10 (in a good year) and you are in the climate zone dominated these days by three types of non-native ornamental plants;  succulents, palms, and subtropicals.  

This week, I had the opportunity to visit Rancho Soledad Nursery in Rancho Santa Fe:  25 acres of succulents, palms, and subtropicals.   Many Aloes were in bloom:  the hummingbirds were so fat and sated with nectar the typical territorial fighting was lackadaisical--yes they were chasing each other here and there, but their heart wasn't in it--they were too busy sipping.  Nectar for all. 

My first sight of a blooming A. dichotoma:
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A tree Aloe.  I was so agog, I didn't make note of the species on most of these.  Too busy gawking:
Aloe marlothii

A. ferox (I think)
Aloe ferox (maybe)

Fields and fields...
Aloe

Fields and fields...

...rows and rows...
Aloe blooming

Fields of aloes

A. marlotii (I think):
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They had many magnificent specimen-sized A. barberaes for sale:
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There were so many wonderful plants, I could not possibly take them all in.  I imagine this place is roasting hot and glaring white in the summer sun, but at the tail end of Autumn, on a cool grey day, it could not possibly have been more lovely.

Comments

  1. WOW - what a nice trip and nursery! I used to live just miles inland, directly up from "Rancho Fantase", and it was usually not hot at all in the summer.

    I'm glad such plants are being grown and used more in SD, So Cal. Wish we could in the high deserts, or even had a nursery with such specimens of what grows here:-(

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  2. Hi Hoover Boo

    I'm salivating!
    And envious... I must get to Rancho Sante Fe one day to see Rancho Soledad.
    Scruptious display here!! Happy holidays, by the way;~D
    Alice
    aka Alice's Garden Travel Buzz

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  3. p.s.
    You've been on blogger since May 06! Wowsa....

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  4. Oh, oh, oh my! I'm there! Wholesale only? How do I get an extra 1/2 acre quick for a whole new garden? Wonderful photos! Thanks, Hoov.

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  5. Retail and wholesale, Denise, so no excuses not to visit. :)

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