Road Trip

10 years ago

Hi from a little farther north in the Hilton Head area. As any good gardener, I am always stretching the boundaries of my zone - which is biting me in the butt this winter!
I am really revved up as I am currently sitting in Hawaii and visited a nursery yesterday. They had some large beautiful bromeliads but shipping was way too expensive of course. I was able to get some nice large fresh cuttings from their plumerias.

I have been searching your forum for a while to plan a 3 day buying trip this spring and have come up with great suggestions such as the Apopka area. The things I like (of course) are the unusual. I grow succulents (under lights primarily), am dabbling in plumeria, love bromeliads, tropical hibiscus and just unusual plants in general for planting in our lanai.

Given a 3 day time table, where would you concentrate your time/energy? It takes only 2 1/2 hours to Jacksonville and 4 1/2 to Orlando. I know I read that some of your ACE hardware stores are good places too. Of course, every Lowes & HD will get a quick look. (Yes, even in Hawaii I had to stop and look at least at the HD plants)

Also, I know we start getting into the swing of things by March up here so if you had to choose a time for the trip, when would you go?

Thanks so much for your time in helping me plan this trip.

Melissa

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Comments (10)

shear_stupidity
10 years ago
Once you're in Orlando, it's a hop-skip-jump to Rockledge Gardens! I love it there and the staff is unbelievably knowledgeable and helpful and friendly.
Have a great trip!
msrohud
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for he info. Would you think that March would be the best time to do the trip? I would guess things would be in high gear by then.
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Carol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)
10 years ago
Recently an old, experienced nursery owner told me that the majority of plants sold each year are purchased BEFORE Mother's Day.

Carol in Jacksonville
zzackey
10 years ago
Isn't Rockledge in Melbourne?
shear_stupidity
10 years ago
I'm confused, zackey, how could one city be in another? Rockledge Gardens is in Rockledge, near Cocoa.
Msro, March might be a bit early. They'll be open, but they won't be as fully stocked as they will be in April.
msrohud
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks. I'll try to push it till the end of March/beginning of April then. After reading more here, I guess I'm also going to head to Vero for Gardenfest the beginning of February. DH said just don't spend too much $. Of course not dear....
shear_stupidity
10 years ago
Lol, right?
"I'll only spend what I ~have~ to, darling."
laura1
10 years ago
Apopka is where a lot of wholesale nurseries are. I'm not sure about retail.
for succulents Bob Smoley is in DunnellinÃ¢ÂÂ¦but you would need to call in advance. Bob has been sick but hopefully he is better.
Farther south is Tropiflora(more succulents) and Crowley's if you want to go as far as Sarasota. And then there is Selby Gardens in Sarasota.
abnorm
10 years ago
In my neighborhood:

Leu Gardens hosts their Spring Plant Sale March 15 & 16.....

Located in Orlando....a visit can EASILY overload your "Senses"
....your gardencart.....your schedule......and your pocketbook.

""Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16.......9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Shop the large quality plant selection in Central Florida!Plant vendors will be selling a variety of plants including: bamboo, bromeliads, butterfly plants, citrus, ferns, fruit plants, gingers, heliconias, herbs, olive trees, orchids, palms, paw paws, plumerias, roses, trees, vines and outdoor garden accessories! FREE Admission to the gardens and sale all weekend. Great food to purchase so you can stay the day and enjoy Leu Gardens. ""

dougandpam

Here is a link that might be useful: Leu Gardens
msrohud
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks again for all this info. I hope I don't run out of $ since I have now decided to go to GardenFest in Vero. These plant sales around Florida are really unique. I've gardened in numerous states and other than the typical Home & Garden shows in the spring I have never found shows (other than a specialist society like orchids or succulents)that have such a large amount of actual plant vendors. Most H & G shows you are lucky if there are more than 5 plant vendors. Of course, I have never been to the "biggies". Once again, thank you for all this info. I will be sure to write up where we end up going.

Melissa