Thursday, June 12, 2008

Colors: Lincoln Avenue Nursery

My front yard's been looking drab. I wanted some color to punch it up. We've got several good nurseries to choose from in Pasadena. I like every one I've been to, each for different reasons. Here's why I like the Lincoln Avenue Nursery:

First, it's in a house! Well, it's actually bursting out of a house. Plants on the steps, pots on the porch, bags of potting soil stacked up beneath the windows...

Second, it's got history. According to owner Ramon Franco, the original owners were a German family who built the house in 1903 and stayed for twenty years. I'm not clear on whether or not they had a nursery (Franco is, but I didn't write it down), but the family who came next definitely did. They were of Japanese descent, and for two generations they ran a nursery out of the house at 804 Lincoln Avenue until they sold it to Ramon and his wife Teresa five years ago.

Now the Franco family (son Juan works there, too) nurture plants and customers alike. It's a busy, friendly place.

Other reasons to like the Lincoln Avenue Nursery are the huge variety of pots, plants and garden decor scattered about the big lot. It's just plain luscious. (Hmm. Oxymoron.)

I was looking for color for my front garden. I certainly went to the right place.

28 comments:

Cheltenhamdailyphoto said...

This colour is stunning don't you think? Your front garden will look fab. pics please!

Rosie said...

Petrea

I love the blue ones. I have 2 pots of exactly the same blue as those ones on the display. they look good all year around and does add a touch of colour to the garden.

USelaine said...

I remember in the sixties down there, all the gardening services seemed to be Japanese businesses. They were employed for our parsonage in Downey, and mowed and pruned. A new generation would have Mexicans owning the businesses; hard, hard work bringing the children up to the next step in prosperity.

I'm drawn to those exotic kangaroo paws you caught, but penstemon is so hardy, it is hard to surpass.

Pascal Jim said...

This nursery has a long history, if you look closely inside the "house", you will view a picture of the trolley that once ran on Lincoln Avenue with the line ending at Montana, taking many early scholars to John Muir High School. Also don't forget Kettles Nursery, few steps North of John Muir. Happy Gardening!

marley said...

It sounds like a good place for inspiration, and then to spend your cash! Show us your make-over please!!

Profile Not Available said...

Great color! There is so much to see in this photo! I really enjoyed reading your post too! I agree with the others...show us the "after" please!

Petrea Burchard said...

Hmm. I'll try to figure out how to do an "after" shot without showing too much. Privacy and all that. Don't want Marley, Rose and Lynn to hop a plane and come stomping around my garden, hiding in my bougainvilleas and peeking in my windows...

I didn't know the blue/purple flower was so hardy. I'll go back and buy it.

Pascal Jim, Mr. Franco told me about the photo but I guess they've taken it down temporarily for some restoration work or something of that nature. And thank you, I'll check out Kettles. I have to get some vines.

Christie said...

Gorgeous!! I've been working on my front garden for a few years now and it is just starting to look like I want it to, lots of pinks, white, purple, and blues!!

It is great that you have a great place that you trust!

Petrea Burchard said...

See, maybe in a few years I'll have it finished, like Christie, and then I'll post the "after" shots.

Petrea Burchard said...

I just bought a couple of plants is all I'm sayin'.

Katie said...

Oh this colorful photo so makes me long to once again live in a house where I can have purple pots filled with beautiful flowers and shop at a great local nursery. I'll try to keep my jealousy in check from my little apartment and just come back and look at this photo when I need a garden fix!

USelaine said...

Yeah, a couple of plants is how it starts...

John Sandel said...

Lovely. Dale Chihuly gots nothin on you.

Louis la Vache said...

Colorful indeed! That blue is very fine!

Rosie said...

Don't be silly Petrea...
We would never do that. Instead we would knock on the front door and camp in your house!!! What do you think Lynn and Marley?
So watch out :)

freefalling said...

Hey!
That's kangaroo paw!!
That's Australian!!
Did ya get some?

Petrea Burchard said...

Katie, right about now I'm wishing I had more time to garden. They're still sitting in their pots.

I'm not sure what I've started, uselaine. Probably a pile of dead potted plants on the porch.

Bernie, you exaggerate, but you're sweet.

Louis, I keep thinking it's purple but Rose called it blue as well. I'm outvoted.

That's much preferred, Rose. You will come on in!

I didn't get kangaroo paws, Letty. Not in my color scheme. Besides, it seemed barbaric.

USelaine said...

Whip out your Sunset Garden Book, check your positioning, and gettem in da ground, Sister! Letting plants die in Pasadena is, I believe, punishable with jail time.

Dina said...

Hehehe. You'll never catch ME buying a plant.

marley said...

How disappointing :(

Lynn and I, being near neighbours, had got our flights booked and our bags packed! We wanted a look round Petrea Mansions! On second thoughts, I'm not sure I could handle Lynn by myself on a long haul flight. I may not get there in one piece!!

Petrea Burchard said...

Oh gosh, USElaine, you're right. Don't turn me in, I've got a weekend coming up.

Dina, I can only imagine your idyllic village life! You're probably surrounded by natural beauty. Why buy a plant when they're everywhere for free?

Come on over, marley! I'll inflate the aerobed for you! (Please don't expect a mansion.) If the two of you arrive intact, Lynn can have the couch.

Kay said...

This is so pretty. What a wonderful nursery to have. I'm sure your garden will be just gorgeous.

Petrea Burchard said...

Kay, how sweet of you to stop by when I know you must be so busy! One more week now, is it? I'm getting nervous for you!

West Coast Grrlie Blather said...

The people that used to own my house owned Lincoln Avenue Nursery. It's thanks to them that I have so many wonderful flowers and fruit trees in my yard.

Petrea Burchard said...

Hey west coast grrlie! Was it the Japanese family Mr. Franco told me about? That brings things around to the connectedness one begins to feel as one starts meeting and talking to people in Pasadena.

Unknown said...

Yes, the Japanese family. The family had two daughters. Last I knew, one still lives here and one lives in Arizona. I must stop in there!

Anonymous said...

its a really good nursery. i should know because i live right next to it.

Petrea Burchard said...

Anonymous, I hope for your sake they don't start work too early!