Rusty chicken with plants.
We couldn’t resist pulling over to see what’s up with these rusty sculptures. Turns out it’s the Gualala Nursery found on Hwy 1 right about where Sonoma County ends and Mendocino County begins heading north.
Gualala Nursery & Trading Co.
Leucospermum?
Definitely seem like the go to place nursery for this area of 1900 people. Great ornamental plants inside, lots of eye turning rusty sculptures, and a long garden strip in the front. That’s where this gem of a flower was found. Leucospermum? Or is it a Leucadendron…hum? I get them a little mixed up. Anybody have. Better ID?
Clematis tangutica (Old man's beard clematis)
This planting was gorgeous, Clematis tangutica. The common name is even better, Old Man’s Beard Clematis. It blooms mid summer though Autumn, part to full sun, and average water needs. Cute yellow bell shaped flowers with little scent to speak of.
Gualala Nursery
I was impressed how well they used their limited space. Lots of varieties, all well kept, not a dud in sight.
Hipsta Gualala Nursery.
We had a little fun with the hipstamatic and tried to capture their 50 foot long hedge pruned into the words Gualala Nursery. Ok, it’s not really that smiley face shape…sometimes auto stitching does some weird things to the pics.
Rusty triceratops.
Besides the plants, it was the dozen larger than life rusty dinosaurs that grabbed our attention. I’m a sucker for anything with a great patina. This triceratops was no exception.
Rusty Tyrannosaurus rex.
Never figured out who the artist was behind these guys. None the less, adorable aren’t they?
– Far Out Flora
August 30, 2011 at 10:55 am
Pretty sure Gualala is where I saw the most amazing of private heather gardens. I wonder what happened to it.
August 30, 2011 at 12:35 pm
I LOVE how the t-rex is growling over the fence. I drive by a nursery on 92 in Half Moon Bay all the time with metal dinos like this, but they’re not in such clever poses!
August 30, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Hey Kimberly, we’re familiar with those on Hwy 92…sorta by the Half Moon Bay Nursery. Agreed that these up in Gualala are much better installed into the landscape.
August 30, 2011 at 2:06 pm
leucadendrons have the cone like tips and larger bracts (or whatever they are called). leucospermums are finer and look like sea urchins like your photo.
August 30, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Nice way to distinguish between the two. Cool.
August 30, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Hi Megan, That photo is of a Leucospermum Veld Fire.
August 30, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Nice work on the ID
September 1, 2011 at 2:59 pm
yours is Leucospermum, we call them pincushions. And I have lots of Leucadendron up on my last 2 posts.
August 30, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Welcome to Gualala….next time drop by the Gualala Arts Center. You’ll love the landscaping! and the art!
August 30, 2011 at 8:50 pm
I think the dinos come form Mexico–there is a nursery a couple miles north of Seaside gardens in Carpenteria that has quite a display of rusty T-rexes. I’ve driven past this nursery in Gualala a few times but never stopped..next time !
August 31, 2011 at 1:52 am
What a beautiful place. Love the statues and that pic of you Matti!