June 09, 2024
For more than 70 years, North Haven Gardens has been a resource for plants and supplies for gardeners in north Dallas. And this is despite being hit by two tornadoes in a recent two-year period. Yes, two tornadoes — bam bam! The longtime family nursery was torn up by a ferocious tornado in 2019. The owners rebuilt, and then a second (thankfully less damaging) tornado struck in 2021. Good grief. It’s one more example of how Texas gardening requires true grit.
Today a spacious modern shop welcomes visitors. I stopped in for the first time during my garden-touring trip to Dallas in mid-May.
North Texas is windy, and a swath of Mexican feathergrass near the doors was billowing in the breeze. Hypnotic and pretty! Imagine this sprinkled with a few ‘Pink Parade’ hesperaloes for hummingbird-attracting flowers and winter interest. I saw ‘Pink Parade’ planted in Dallas’s highway medians — as tough a spot as I can imagine — and it was stunning, although I wondered if hummingbirds are ever big-rig casualties in their efforts to get at it. It made me want to plant it, if only I had a sunny spot protected from deer to enjoy those big hesperaloe blooms.
But I digress.
NHG’s nursery yard is huge and filled with a variety of plants.
I like their signs announcing staff-favorite plants…
…and giving shout-outs to local plant growers.
Lots of plants to choose from
They sell water-garden plants and tanks too.
Here’s a surprise — a cafe on-site! Ralph & Rose also contains a nice gift shop, plus a conference room for classes and events. I hope the nursery will invite me to give a talk here when my book comes out (hint hint!).
Bananas and more along a walkway
A big greenhouse contains tropicals and succulents…
…and cactus planters.
Inside the main shop, I got sidetracked by the beautifully designed packets of Hudson Valley Seeds.
I mean, look at these!
The packaging makes me want to buy them all.
So good
I’ve never in my life been tempted to try growing squash, much less ‘Black Futsu’ squash. But this packet almost convinced me.
And got kids or grandkids? How about these Jellycat cactus and sansevieria bags? Freaking adorable!
I didn’t buy any plants on this visit — mid-May is past my planting time, for my own sanity in Texas gardening — but I sure did find a few gifts to take home. I hope to visit again next time I’m in Dallas.
Up next from my Dallas trip: A peek at historic Lakewood’s fanciful Spanish eclectic homes. For a look back at the Japanese maple collector’s garden of Cindy Bolz, click here.
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