apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Alden Lane Nursery

981 Alden Lane
Livermore 94550
925.447.0289
4-24-08 alden1.jpg
logotree.gifIn case you hadn't noticed, we've succumbed to the gardening bug. It came over us slowly, but it's completely overwhelmed our little brain and driven us to such madness that we recently drove to Livermore in search of one elusive Morello cherry tree. It couldn't just be a local nursery for us, no ma'am, we found our beloved at Alden Lane.
 
 
4-24-08 alden10.jpg
The location seems a bit random, smack-dab between a smattering of housing developments and the Livermore airport, but it's been around since 1955.
4-24-08 alden11.jpg
At first glance, Alden Lane has the vague whiff of a Disneyland-like attraction. The gates, the horses, the enormous driveway and parking lot...but venture past the large courtyard and you'll find a wonderland of plants and trees.
4-24-08 alden2.jpg
4-24-08 alden8.jpg
4-24-08 alden3.jpg
4-24-08 alden4.jpg
We wandered around for a few hours until we stumbled upon the fruit trees. Organized alphabetically, the fruit trees are a sight to behold.
4-24-08 alden9.jpg
We ogled the grafted "fruit salad" trees but kept on with our cherry tree quest...
4-24-08 alden7.jpg
4-24-08 alden5.jpg
4-24-08 alden6.jpg
After much deliberation (and some very helpful consultations with the nursery staff), we left with the most perfect Morello cherry tree....and a Comice pear tree....and a Blenheim apricot tree....and a pre-order number for a Pink Lady apple tree.
4-24-08 alden12.jpg

Tags

plants & flowers, gardening, East Bay

Related Links

Share

Comments (5)

is that fruit salad tree for real? seems unnaturally scary. stay away from it.

posted by marnilr on 2008-04-24 13:26:13
view marnilr's profile

Marnilr -

It's just grafting. People have been grafting plants for centuries and coming up with all kinds of odd combinations.

posted by Allsunday on 2008-04-24 13:38:14
view Allsunday's profile

That is a gorgeous garden centre. We have a smaller version in my city and it is such a nice excursion. Shop a bit, have coffee, shop a bit more . . lovely way to spend a few hours.

posted by Gallivant on 2008-04-24 14:03:15
view Gallivant's profile

I live in Sunol (super tiny town between Pleasanton and Fremont), but we adore coming out to this nursery. The staff are super helpful and the grounds are just so adorable how can you not be inspired? This is where I got everything that is in my garden and it is all super healthy.

posted by Stephanie C on 2008-04-24 14:19:52
view Stephanie C's profile

For those who are near the Peninsula, there is a similar nursery in Menlo Park called Roger Reynolds Nursery. It's off El Camino, but you'd never know. It's been there since 1920 or so and it's a treat just to wander around in there.
133 Encinal Ave Menlo Park, CA.
http://www.rogerreynoldsnursery.com

posted by laila on 2008-04-25 14:12:09
view laila's profile