I'll start by saying this, we absolutely love the view at our house. I think it is safe to say "it is beyond amazing!" I've spent most of my time getting our patio set up, and now that we have visited with many of the other expats in the area, we see what can also be done with the garden.
There are some yards around here that will knock you out! I am not kidding. And that's not to say that we don't have a nice yard, because we do, but...after all, our house is a rental and there is so much more that can be done with it.
So I spoke with the owner of our house (Marcelo) and he agreed to buy some plants (and have them planted) in the yard.
First up -- A trip to the local nursery.
I asked Marcelo where to go to find the plants/flowers.
His answer "I'll take you there"
Marcelo explained that there is no such word for "plant nursery" in Spanish - they are called viveros.
You can find many fine greenhouses and viveros all around the country with a terrific selection of plants for decorating in and around your house. According to Marcelo, Ticos know that the greatest concentration of these nurseries are on “Gardeners Row” in the pretty little western Central Valley town of La Garita -- 36 kilometers west of San José, and 13 kilometers west of Alajuela. La Garita is the name of the city but the nurseries are located on a 9 kilometer stretch of road and includes some 20 nurseries.
Our visit was to the Vivero Central La Garita
There are some yards around here that will knock you out! I am not kidding. And that's not to say that we don't have a nice yard, because we do, but...after all, our house is a rental and there is so much more that can be done with it.
The entrance to one of our friend's homes down the hill from us
So I spoke with the owner of our house (Marcelo) and he agreed to buy some plants (and have them planted) in the yard.
First up -- A trip to the local nursery.
I asked Marcelo where to go to find the plants/flowers.
His answer "I'll take you there"
Marcelo explained that there is no such word for "plant nursery" in Spanish - they are called viveros.
You can find many fine greenhouses and viveros all around the country with a terrific selection of plants for decorating in and around your house. According to Marcelo, Ticos know that the greatest concentration of these nurseries are on “Gardeners Row” in the pretty little western Central Valley town of La Garita -- 36 kilometers west of San José, and 13 kilometers west of Alajuela. La Garita is the name of the city but the nurseries are located on a 9 kilometer stretch of road and includes some 20 nurseries.
Our visit was to the Vivero Central La Garita
A portion of our neighbor's garden patio
You can buy retail or wholesale there and it can be very helpful if you need to buy in bulk as there are good bargains to be found.
Among the gazillion plants, wonderful blooms abound including the striking bird of paradise, begonias, anthuriums, gaudy bougainvillea, hibiscus, Christmas poinsettias, roses, and sunflowers.
Lush foliage can be found in bamboo, variagated dieffenbachias, leafy ferns, dracaena, and palms. For the kitchen you will find basil, chile peppers, coriander, dill, ginger, lemon grass, mint, parsley, rosemary, thyme. The list stops when you do.
Lush foliage can be found in bamboo, variagated dieffenbachias, leafy ferns, dracaena, and palms. For the kitchen you will find basil, chile peppers, coriander, dill, ginger, lemon grass, mint, parsley, rosemary, thyme. The list stops when you do.
And if fruit is your thing, you will find avocados, bananas, oranges, tangerines, limes and sweet lemons, guavas, mangoes, papaya or starfruit and …
OMG don’t forget the passion fruit!
Below is the video of my trip to the vivero.
It is the biggest and most beautiful nursery I have ever seen!
Take a look
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