I know the Producer, and I seem to be fixated on nurseries. Last week we had to visit another in the quest for an olive tree and Artichoke Agave. Our landscaper was having a difficult time finding them, so we thought we would help in the search. I hope you enjoy the quest.
Here is the main sign.
Parking lot with big trees.
The entrance.
A sign warning about falling trees Also, check the price of the Italian Cyprus – $12,000.
The greeter. She has to be brushed every night.
Love Hibiscus.
Cute farmhouse-like building.
Pathway through the jungle.
Clearer path.
Trees to go.
High wind victim.
The nursery is on an old putt-putt golf course.
Some Italian Cyprus.
Small utility building.
Lovely roses and Lantana. Moon Valley did have olive trees and Artichoke Agave. We gave the landscaper the Nursery name and location. He knew of that firm and liked that we did the footwork.
Here is the olive.
And the Artichoke Agave
Fiction Favorites 
I, too, have your affinity for nurseries. I could be very happy living in that green utility building. (I like cozy. Danny the Dog and I lived on a boat for seven years that had about 40 sq. ft. of living space.)
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I’m curious about your boat. My liveaboard time was aboard a Catalina 31. Fun times!
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My first boat was a Catalina 22′. I sailed all over the Caribbean with that. Then I inched up to bigger boats. My last sailboat was a 42′ ketch. But then I retired from sailing, but still lived on a boat, houseboats, motor boats, whatever. I didn’t care as long as it was on the water. The last boat I lived on was 25′ and had no engine. I had to put cinder blocks in the engine compartment to keep it level. Someone gave it to me for free, and I said, “What the hell?”
Over the years, the marina I lived in tried to give me boats (for free) that had been abandoned. (Because I’m such a nice guy.) One of my fans even offered to buy me a bigger boat—anything up to $5,000. But I always said no. No one could understand how I could live in such a small space. But all I needed was a bed, a small counter to cook on, and a place for me to sit and write on my computer. No distractions. I wrote six books on that boat.
Of course, I didn’t have much of a love life. But we all must make sacrifices for our art.
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😊
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I remember your stories from those times. Cozy is good.
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Good pictures, John. Congratulations on finding what your landscaper needed for your property. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne
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It looks like you picked out two beautiful specimens, John. Now doubt the girls will be curious. 🙂 Happy Sunday!
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They sniff the olive a lot. Thanks, Jill
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🙂
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What species is that olive? At first I thought you might be trying Mexican olive, but this one seems quite different. It’s good to see that space around the agave, too. Never mind the species or size — those babies can be dangerous!
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I almost bled to death on one at the coast. I finally ripped it out with a chain and truck. The olive is a European Olive. (Martinis ho)
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My dad and his buddies used to have a yearly Martooni Festival in the summer. They would have appreciated your olive tree, too.
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As a long-time consumer of martinis, I would have enjoyed the Festival.
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The greeter looks like she was run over by a rogue cart!
Thanks again for the nickel tour, John.
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I know. She rolls in the wood chips a lot.
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Two perfect additions to your yard. That olive tree will give you years of enjoyment.
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I think so too.
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Beautiful, John. How wonderful that the landscaper’s unawareness gave you an opportunity to see more of the neighborhood (and we through you!). Have a great day. 🙂
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Have a great day as well, Gwen.
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Good job doing the leg work, John. I’m glad you weren’t shopping for that Cypress.
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Me too, Dan. There was a huge Magnolia at $19,000. Glad I wasn’t shopping for that either.
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Does that price include installation? It’s not like you’re going to strap that to the roof of your car 😉
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Yup. Install included. One year warranty too.
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Agave looks great:) healthy too… didn’t get about 12,000 – for what exactly? A wild 😜 “party” trip to Cyprus 🇨🇾?
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Ha haha. No, a fifty-foot picker bush.
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The price is absolutely crazy… just think how many book covers you could order 😂😂
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I know. You would have to love that picker bush for sure.
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Two wonderful additions to the homestead, indeed.
And as far as nurseries go, Moon Valley is the kind of place that would tempt even the non-nursery lovers for sure. What a place!
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The people are terrific as well. Thanks, Marc
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I got a kick out of the fact that they left the putt putt green.
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I know right? That was the only one. There were others but just concreate remained.
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I find it rather kitschy. I like that.
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😀
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Great pics. Looks like a peaceful place.
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It was very peaceful. 😁
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I rate nurseries right up there with book stores! Glad you found what you were needing.
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Me too, Jo. Thanks.
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Bushwa! Even after the high price of everything in DC for ten years, I’m shocked at the price of that cypress…
However, I really enjoyed this visit to the nursery, John. What an extraordinary place. The olive tree looks happy in its new home. I’m most intrigued by the artichoke agave. I’ve seen some gigantic agaves around town here. I’ve no idea what variety they are, but they are probably tall as me and easily as big around. They must live a long time.
Have a sublime Sunday. Hugs.
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Yes, agaves do live a long life. We like them.
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Our favorite thing to do is make the rounds of nurseries with a radius of 35 miles. aside from the usual staple plants that everyone carries, there is usually one or two plants that no other nursery carries. That one gem is worth all the searching around.
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I agree, Ronnie.
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I’m glad you were successful in your search, John. I’ve done the same sort of thing here for our yard-man, who seems to prefer a nursery which charges exorbitant prices for flowers and such. And even that’s no guarantee they’ll grow! Those are beauties you picked out.
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Thank you, Debbie. I think we will enjoy them.
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Wonderful decision, dear John! And what about any palm tree?
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We left the coast and plam trees behind. Not our favorites.
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I got! And what about a Christmas tree? Or it won’t grow in the area you have moved to.
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Nope too hot for a Christmas tree.
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Looking forward to see the final choice! 🙂
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We have chosen. Olive tree.
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The best, dear John! And some fresh olive oil too! 🙂
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Martini fruit.
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Then you should plant some Martini tree nearby. Definitely. 🙂
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I love nurseries! When I go to our local nursery, I always want one of everything. Great post, John.
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I would carry it all home. Thanks, Michelle.
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Oh, your photos are wonderful. Congratulations on finding what you wanted. I hope the landscaper gives you a discount since you did, in effect, do his job for him 😉 Just kidding (not really). At least you had fun and found a new place to explore.
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Thank you, Marie. Yes, we offered and he said go for it so there you are. No discounts involved.
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Oh, well, at least this way you get exactly what you want 🙂
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Yes. Always cost more for the exact item. 😁
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Thanks for the visit to the nursery, John. I love Hibiscus plants too.
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Thank you. 😀
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Wonder if they have to watch out for Cyprus rustlers?
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I think hauling it off mught be a problem. Remi ds me of a song. “Cyprus Riders in the Sky.”
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Ha ha.
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The Italian Cyprus is huge! No wonder they have wind warnings. That is quite a nursery, John. Very different from New England. Thanks for the tour.
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Thanks for going along, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John
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I also like hibiscus, John. A lovely nursery. I hope you stopped for afternoon tea.
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Clotted cream and lemon curd all the way. Thanks, Robbie
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Cheers to the a successful mission. I wonder what low percentage a nursery here and there would match.
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Good question. Don’t think we will find out though.
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That nursery looks like a relaxing place. The variety of plants is so tempting that my non-existent green fingers are almost itching to do some gardening. 🙂
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I feel the same way whenever I visit a nursery. Thanks for the visit.,
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Glad your quest was successful, John – and holy crap, I had no idea some trees were that expensive.
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I know right? There was one for $25,000 (A magnolia)
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I love going to nurseries. We have a great one here I look forward to visiting every spring and summer. 🙂
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Thanks, Rhonda. They are fun.
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Thanks, John, for mentioning another nursery!
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It looks like a great nursery, perhaps not a very windy day though. 😀🌬
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What an adventure! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you for coming along, Jan 😁
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