By Cathy Hough, general manager & buyer

Viewing other gardens often provides the needed inspiration for implementing new ideas in our own landscapes. That’s probably why avid gardeners love attending garden tours.

(Below) This Manhattan Beach home features greens, brown and bright burgundy. Papyrus line the house wall with Palms and Cordyline closer to the sidewalk.

The Tradescentia (below) creates a focal point between the driveway and entry. We are fully stocked for fall planting on our 2+ acres, so stop in today to see our selection. Darla and Steve can provide expert assistance.

The property (below) has created a small Japanese garden aside its driveway and a walkway with topiary, a Japanese Maple and Camellia. Pebbles and statues add to its tranquil effect.

As we move from summer to fall, it’s time to make plans to plant since fall presents the most favorable conditions for planting. Australian Tea Trees (below, effectively covering a pole) are beginning to bloom and come in white, pink and burgundy. Stop in to see our selection.

(Below) Papyrus, Plumeria and Flax create an attractive garden alongside a house and are joined by bedding plants that can be changed out seasonally or more frequently to create new looks.

(Below) This Manhattan Beach property mixes Succulents and Ornamental Grasses that line up under Papyrus, Palms and Kangaroo Paws to create a fascinating landscape.

The Redondo Beach home (below) appealingly mixes Ornamental Grasses with Australian Tea Trees, now in bloom against the wall, Flax, Rosemary and other plants.

Ornamental Grasses are quite popular. We offer a huge selection. (Below) Ornamental Grasses blend nicely with an attractive brick pathway and planters.

Ornamental Grasses come in a variety of shapes, sizes, textures and colors, as shown in this curbside planting (below).

(Below) Silver Sheen Pittosporum are positioned for privacy. Flax and other plants, as well as space for planting or for growth of existing plants, make this small area pleasing to the eye.

Bougainvillea (below) are beautiful vines that can be grown for privacy or decoration. The one below, growing over a white fence, adds color to a house front in Redondo Beach.

(Below) This Bougainvillea is being trained to grow over a garage door.

Even small entrances can have a grand appeal. Palms (below) with vibrant Impatiens planted below create a gorgeous display of color.

Get creative with your front yard! This property has been charmingly designed to include an arbor, trellis and gated entry with a white picket fence. Two Adirondack chairs sit on the porch creating a comfortable space to sit and enjoy the view. We have all sorts of garden accents in stock. Steve and Darla can help you plan your charming garden.

Iceberg Roses always make a stunning impact. The White Iceberg Rose (below) is attractively used with many other plants to create visual appeal.

We’re always here for you so stop in to consult one of our experts. Since 1978, we’ve been providing an unrivaled expertise and product selection. And remember, we deliver!

By Cathy Hough, general manager & buyer

Join us on Monday, September 6 for Customer Appreciation Day! We’ll have free hot dogs and beverages from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in honor of all of you! We’re open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Labor Day.

Plants, pottery, fountains, statuary… the Marina del Rey Garden Center’s selection goes beyond the ordinary. Thanks to our huge 2+-acre location and 30+ years in business, we are able to offer exceptional products, including hard-to-find plants and classic and contemporary fountains, statuary and containers, not to mention our unrivaled expertise. We are nursery professionals you can count on.

You can always find something to add to your garden at the Marina Garden Center! We have beautiful hanging baskets and bedding plants for quick and easy color. And our selection is always changing thanks to our stream of daily deliveries. Visiting us can be a fun daily experience. Bring your favorite beverage and stroll our paradise. Being in the midst of our glorious garden will put a smile on your face and a lightness in your step. So share the MDRGC experience with a friend! Our staff of gardening experts are ready to answer any questions you may have.

Fall is the best time for planting so stop in to get ideas about what you’d like to add to your garden. Let Steve or Darla know your sun or shade requirements and surrounding plants in the area and they can help you find some vines, shrubs, trees, perennials, shade plants, or small bedding plants to enhance that specific part of your garden.

Peace and tranquility are hallmarks of a garden. (Above) If your idea of paradise is tropical, you’ll want to plant a Red Leaf Banana (above) for its striking foliage. A new shipment has just arrived.

We can help you plant a waterwise garden (lavender, below, is waterwise) and have a large selection of succulents and cacti, in addition to other waterwise plants including California natives. And our selection doesn’t stop there: We have Australian natives, South African natives, and plants that thrive in a Mediterranean climate such as we have here.

Our fountain selection is very large and (below) is one of our newest fountains. I love how its flowing water falls in sheets and mimics the sights and sounds of a waterfall.

We carry unusual and hard-to-find plants, such as the begonia (below), which features large pink flowers on tall stems.

Sasanqua Camellias (below), which bloom September through December depending on the variety, are budding up profusely now. Consider finding the right spot to plant a Camellia. They are absolutely beautiful plants that can be grown as shrubs or trees. Particular Sasanquas that I like are Jean May, Shishi Gashira, Apple Blossom, Kanjiro, Chansonette, and the holiday favorite, Yuletide.

Like the Japonica Camellias, Sasanquas have been selected and hybridized into dozens of forms that vary immensely in flower color and size and shape. Sasanquas have mature heights that range from about 4-15 feet. The taller cultivars are typically trimmed up as small trees. Other cultivars remain shrubby and limited in height, and some, such as “Bonanza,” were developed to serve as groundcovers and with minimal training can be maintained at about 2 feet in height.

Even when not in bloom, Sasanquas make a statement with their beautifully glossy, rich green leaves (below).

Sasanqua Camellia flowers (below) are among the most beautiful flowers in the world. Camellias are originally from China and Japan and can be found in Chinese and Japanese gardens worldwide, as well as intriguingly mixed in to other garden formats and designs.

The Azalea (below) is a good companion for the Camellia and features delicate flowers in white, pink, and red. Visit Descanso Gardens in La Crescenta to see North America’s largest camellia collection.

Welcome what remains of summer with some sizzling color (below) and start making plans for a beautiful fall garden!

Sunflowers

Vinca

Canna Lilies

Echinacea

There are fun and easy ways to change or add to your garden. Plant bedding or small plants in between existing plants or completely transform a flower bed with all-new plants! Darla and Steve can help you in your quest to have a visually appealing garden.

Clematis with a dark center

Clematis (above and below) is a beautiful vine that produces unique and stunning flowers. It can be grown in containers or in ground. Their attention-grabbing flowers make for good conversation and require a closer look and study to be fully appreciated.

A rare pure white Clematis

Mandevilla (below) is a popular vine whose attractive flowers come in pink, yellow, red and white and we have many different varieties in stock. A well-drained soil is a must for this plant that can be grown in containers or in ground. Ask Steve or Darla for planting guidelines. We are here to help you with your gardening success!

Pink Mandevilla

Another interesting vine is Black Eyed Susan (below), which is available in appealing salmon shades, vibrant orange and white and creams. It grows easily and quickly in full sun and can be grown indoors.

Black Eyed Susan Vine in salmon shades.

Black Eyed Susan vine

The Marina del Rey Garden Center offers everything you need for planting success. We have wood and metal trellises and the largest selection of containers in Los Angeles. Stop in to check out our huge selection.

By Cathy Hough, general manager & buyer

Spark your imagination with a visit to the garden center! Get your creativity flowing by wandering our 2+ acres of beautiful plants, containers, and everything you need to have an amazing garden! Bring a cup of coffee for your stroll.

Meander through our pathways to find landscaping ideas.

We’ve recently planted a California native section so be on the lookout for it and watch it grow! Signs identify the plants and though these plants are very small now, they are sure to give you ideas for your landscape.

A sea of Yarrow

This summer’s unusually overcast weather along the coast provides a great opportunity for gardeners to dig in the dirt. I’ve talked to a lot of gardeners who are using this summer to re-do and spruce up existing landscapes. Dig out and re-plant a flower bed for exciting color! Prune and clip a shrub to create space for another small plant, perhaps Yarrow, Lion’s Tail or a Salvia.

We offer a deep selection of plants with deliveries arriving daily. Our plants come from the best growers, including Monrovia, C Stars, Monterey Bay, Sun Crest, Chia and San Marcos. If we don’t have what you’re looking for, we can track it down and place a special order. Talk to Darla or Steve for assistance.

Hibiscus

If you’ve got a pool or want to create a tropical oasis, perhaps with a shady resting area, stop in to see all of the plants that will add a tropical feel to your outdoor area. In addition to planting in ground, consider plants in containers and hanging baskets to add visual appeal to your landscape.

Cordyline and Phormium

Cordyline and Phormium are very popular landscape plants that come in shades of green, bronze and pink. When the sun shines on them, there can be a glow of color unlike any you’ve seen.

Fuchsias (below) go nicely in most any garden. I have some hanging off of tree limbs in my backyard. They are equally beautiful planted in ground or in a container.

A Fuchsia tree

It’s not too late to find some stunning roses for your garden! Roses are lovely planted in a garden or in containers and placed on decks, patios, balconies.

A bee goes about his business in the center of this rose.

Roses

Princess Flower

I have a friend who loves purple so much that practically everything planted in her garden produces, yes, you guessed it, a purple flower. Princess Flower (above) is always a winner. Other fun purple flowering plants include Bougainvillea, Lavatera, roses, Lavender, and Salvias.

Our in-stock plant inventory offers a variety of plants you won’t find anywhere else, allowing you to find what you like and take home enough specimens to plant a landscape immediately.

So stop in today to see how you can make your garden or landscape really remarkable with different hues of foliage, a variety of colorful flowering plants, and garden accents such as statuary, pottery and fountains.

Invite hummingbirds into your garden with Kangaroo Paws (below) and ask Steve or Darla what other plants you can have in your garden to attract nature’s bounty, including butterflies, hummingbirds and other sweet creatures.

A hummingbird draws nectar from a Kangaroo Paw.

Stretch into whatever you want summer to be. We have all sorts of garden accents including statuary (below) and fountains, and our selection of pre-planted succulents is always worth checking out.

You can find everything from statuary to benches to plants for your landscape at the Marina del Rey Garden Center.

We can create any custom container planting you’d like. Try growing some citrus in a container on a sunny deck or balcony and treat yourself to homegrown limes, lemons, oranges or grapefruit.

These pebble containers are great for adding stylish plantings to your yard. They also are available as water fountains.

Summer calls for sizzling hot color anywhere you want to put it! Stop in to see our large assortment of vibrant bedding plants (below) and ask Steve or Darla for help selecting what will grow best in your garden given its requirements.

Summer calls for orange and yellow.

Plug in color all over your garden to make it absolutely striking.

Summer also calls for the sound of flowing water in a timeless and fun design. We are Los Angeles’ headquarters for the largest selection of fountains (below). Stop in to see our many in-stock designs available for immediate purchase.

Our fountain selection is the largest around.

Go tropical with the beauty of a Plumeria flower (below). We have everything from one-gallon Plumeria to boxed specimens. Stop in today to see how one of these beauties would look in your garden.

Plumeria flowers are always stunning and come in a variety of colors.

Plumeria flowers come in an intriguing variety of colors, shapes and sizes.

Our selection of peppers is the hottest around! We have cayenne, jalapeno and anything you could want to spice up your life.

Grow your own red hot chile peppers.

Visit inside our store for some more summer fun! We have wonderful indoor plants that make great gifts and attractive focal points. Try your hand at something creative and fun (below).

An unusual grass gives this fellow a fun head of hair!

Cape Royal Plumbago (below) is valued for its long growing season and beautiful blue flower. Once established, it only needs minimal water, making it a great plant for waterwise landscapes.

Cape Royal Plumbago sports beautiful flowers.

We carry plants from the finest growers, including Monrovia Growers, horticultural craftsmen since 1926. We always select our plants with you, our customer in mind and get the absolute best quality. (Below) Golf Bal Kohuhu is a popular plant that can be grown in ground or in containers.

Golf Ball Kohuhu is a very popular plant.

You can make your landscape even more attractive by the use of ornamental grasses (below). These come in many shapes, sizes, colors and textures and are especially serene when blowing in the breeze (second photo below).

Ornamental grasses come in a variety of colors and textures and are an intriguing addition to any garden.

Ornamental grasses sway in the wind.

Summer is a time for fun! Enjoy its vibrant colors (below) and savor its sweetness.

Stop in today to see what you can add now to make your summer even more enjoyable! Perhaps a visit from a hummingbird would be nice (below).

A hummingbird finds rest in a Kangaroo Paw.

By Cathy Hough, general manager & buyer

Just last week, I had the pleasure of taking a peaceful walk through the garden center. It was morning, before our gates had opened, and I was taken by the peaceful feeling that came over me as I took the time to enjoy the bounty of nature that surrounded me.

Colorful salvias

On this overcast morning, I was struck by how much brighter all the flowers seemed to be. And I was reminded that now, as much of our work in the garden has been completed, is the time to enjoy the fruits of our labors.

Take a stroll through the Marina del Rey Garden Center.

And as with any living thing, there is always something that can be done, always something to do. I found much joy in finding a way to let go of all that needed to be done and to simply enjoy the garden that was.

Rhubarb

On my stroll, I noticed how colorful many of our edible plants (above and below) are, making them a delicious and attractive addition to your garden.

Lettuce

One of our recent arrivals caught my eye. Tall, slender with dark foliage and a delicate and stunning flower, this Hibiscus plant (below) is the one that tea is made from.

Hibiscus

In addition to the gorgeous plants that were flowering, I also noticed those that were in various stages of bloom. Doing so provided for moments of reflection and amazement at just how beautiful a garden is.

Erica is native to South Africa.

Each week when new plant shipments arrive, I always have the dilemma of not being able to put all of the beautiful new plants in the front where they are quickly and easily seen. Erica (above) is an example of a plant I treasure for its delicate beauty and it is just one of the countless treasures to be found when you stroll our entire plant section.

A climbing rose in bloom on a trellis.

Seeing beyond what is present right in front of you often enhances the experience of feeling a garden. My eye immediately met the splendor of this magnificent red rose (above) in bloom on a trellis and then was taken by the vistas beyond and through the trellis.

The splendors of Day Lilies and Kangaroo Paws, an awesome combination.

Kangaroo Paws (above and below) is a fascinating plant that has become very popular. Upon close examination, you’ll see how different this plant really is.

Graceful, artsy Kangaroo Paws

Gardens aren’t just all about flowers. Shrubs and trees have their place and purpose, too. I was taken by the delicate foliage and variety of colors on many a shrub and tree (below).

Tree leaves can add another dimension of intrigue to a garden as exemplified by this example below. The dark stem provides a nice contrast to the soft green leaf that is surrounded by a white border.

Notice the black stem and light green leaves rimmed with white.

I encourage all of us to take time to stroll through your garden and see what’s growing and what unexpected pleasures you might find.

By Cathy Hough, general manager & buyer

If you need to create shade, privacy, a contemplation place, a colorful garden or a stylish entertaining area, we can help. Our 2+ acres holds a huge inventory of plants, fountains, containers, statues and artful pieces. And delivery is available.

Fountains add the appealing sound of flowing water and can add a nice visual focus to a landscape. Our in-stock selection is huge. We have everything from small tabletop fountains to wall fountains to large, larger and estate-sized fountains.

Calla Lilies (above) make striking companions to fountains and add a colorful touch to landscapes.

Lisianthus (above) is a great summertime bedding plant. It comes in pink and purple and adds a nice delicate feel to a garden.

Growing your own edible garden is great fun that yields results! We have a large selection of vegetables and herbs and the expertise you need to grow your garden. Ask Darla or Steve for advice and assistance.

We also carry fruit trees, vines (above) and bushes (below) and are your one-stop destination for gardening expertise/instruction, soils and amendments, great hand tools and hoses, and reliable information.

Summer’s blazing hot sun calls out for gardens that explode with color! In addition to bedding plants, you can use shrubs and bushes (below) to great effect in a summer garden and receive year-round benefits.

The heat of July and August with that begins to yield to fall in September and October also calls for yellows, oranges, greens and browns (below).

The Marina del Rey Garden Center is always receiving new plants so make plans to stop in frequently to see our latest arrivals!

Our expanded succulent and cacti section (below) is a must see. These waterwise perennials give year-round pleasure. Ask Darla or Steve for assistance with your waterwise landscape. They can show you all of the waterwise plants we have in stock to choose from!

And while you’re here be sure to look around at all of the wildlife. We have hummingbirds, butterflies, ducks, geese (below) and other birds that come and go while on their migratory journey. These geese happen to be ones you can have in your garden, too!

By Cathy Hough, general manager & buyer

The cooler overcast weather we’ve been having is actually one of the best times to garden. Not only is the temperature more comfortable to work in, the ground is warm and prime for planting because it is summer.

Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia

Wine barrels have arrived!

This vessel from Campania (below) is a great planter for the garden. Stop in to see our entire selection of containers, fountains and statuary. We have a huge inventory!

Sleeping Maiden Planter

We are always receiving new plant deliveries so stop in to see what we have for your garden. If you don’t see what you want, ask Steve or Darla to place a special order for you.

We also have decorative hanging baskets lined with coco mat liners. These fun baskets can be planted for some summer sizzle.

The orange tones of the Butterfly Weed contrast well with the white of a Shasta Daisy

By Cathy Hough, general manager & buyer

Every week there’s something new at the Marina del Rey Garden Center and we invite you to stop in to see our new arrivals firsthand!

For a glorious tropical garden, you’ll want to pair Plumeria with Hibiscus (above) and Bougainvillea, which can be used in so many ways, one of which is seen below on a house in El Segundo.

Bougainvillea vine on house in El Segundo

In addition to new plant arrivals, we have lots of new items in our Home and Garden Decor section inside the store. How about a pebbled garden path or stepping stone (below)?

Garden pathway and stepping stone

Some of our other new items include seashell creatures (below) and brass vases and candlesticks with fun dragonflies, frogs or turtles on them (below).

Seashell starfish

Frogs on brass candlesticks

Brass bud vases and candlesticks with turtles make a fun gift.

Seashell sea horses (below) add fun nuances to a casual indoor or outdoor living space and can be placed in the garden, too.

Seashell sea horses

Another fun new item is an adorable little frog bird bath (below).

Cute frog bird bath

Join us on July 4th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for free hot dogs, links and beverages as we celebrate you, our loyal customers. We will close at 4:30 p.m. on July 4th.

By Cathy Hough, general manager & buyer

Make your summer entertaining extra special with an indoor or outdoor fountain (below). But hurry in to get 10% off any in-stock fountain during our fountain sale which ends this Wed., June 30th. Visit the links in the left margin to see all of our manufacturers’ catalogs.

Waterwise succulents have become the plants to have! Walk many a beachside neighborhood and you’ll see residential gardens and city walk planters full of attractively arranged succulents.

One of our customers uses succulents planted in attractive containers to add visual appeal to her Manhattan Beach properties downtown (below). We can custom design and plant succulent containers for your needs, too.

You’ll find these striking containers (above and below) outside of Riley Fine Arts in downtown Manhattan Beach.

Our client also wanted to place attractively planted containers on the window ledge to help provide a more intimate experience when dining inside this notable Manhattan Beach restaurant (below). Pleased with how her previous custom containers were faring, she came to us again to create succulent containers that would blend in with the nearby existing containers as well as add charm to the restaurant’s exterior.

These containers look great from any angle (below).

Our Succulent and Cacti section is one of the largest around. Ask Darla or Steve for assistance.

Our nursery professionals can help you create a striking succulent garden in addition to succulent containers. We have a huge variety of containers and succulents (below) and cacti so stop in today to consult one of our experts.

Our amazing succulent selection is sure to inspire plenty of gardening ideas. Feel free to ask Darla or Steve about all of the wonderful ways you can use succulents.

Green isn’t the only color you can get from succulents. Fiery reds, oranges and yellows are available, too.

So catch the wave of succulent gardening and make your garden a waterwise wonder.

Full-time sales position available. Must have horticultural background. No phone calls please. Submit resume in person or email to Katerina@marinagardencenter.com.

By Cathy Hough, general manager & buyer

Summer is here and the Marina del Rey Garden Center has everything you need for outdoor living and entertaining. Stop in now to check out our fountain sale. We’re offering 10% off all in-stock fountains and we still have some really great fountains available.

Our 2+ acres allows us to stock a large amount of plants, containers, fountains, benches (below) and statuary and we’re always on the lookout for the latest and greatest finds. One of our vendors recently discovered some unusual Talavera pottery (below).

There are lots of ways to dress up a garden for a gathering. Try a new bench (above) positioned so its viewers can converse surrounded by the beauty of your garden. Put a wall fountain on an outdoor wall near your dining table or barbecue area. Group different-sized containers (below) to create a visual focus. Stop in today to see how you can make your garden perfect for entertaining or relaxing in.

The possibilities for your garden are endless! Succulents, Ornamental Grasses, Phormium, Cacti, Bougainvillea, Plumeria, Hydrangea… a garden allows you to express yourself in fun, new and different ways and a garden is ever changing. Ask Darla or Steve for assistance. Their expert advice will help you have the best garden possible.

We most definitely enjoy finding fun items for your garden and these fun signs (below) will set the mood.

And a Tiki Bar just wouldn’t be complete without tropical plants and some Macaws (below).

We’re always getting cool new items. The wall art (below) can be hung on an interior or exterior wall.

And when you step inside our store be sure to check out our home decor items (below). We’re always finding unusual items for home or garden that make great gifts! And remember, you can always give someone a Marina del Rey Garden Center gift card, in any amount and it never expires!

If you’re looking to add color to your garden this summer, we have a huge inventory of plants that will do well. (Below) Asclepia (Butterfly Weed) is known for attracting the larvae of the Monarch Butterfly and is a prized plant. We sell lots of these plants every year and they are flowering right now.

And if you’re not planting in ground, we have some sizzling hot pots (below) that evoke the feel of summer.

So welcome to summer! And have a blast entertaining, relaxing and enjoying your garden!

By Cathy Hough, general manager & buyer

Surprise Dad with a fountain for Father’s Day! Our 10% off all in-stock fountains sale is a great way to reward dads, grads, moms, friends and family!

Our in-stock selection is extensive and ranges from contemporary and modern to classic to unusual. We even have fountains with themes ranging from sea to zen, dolphins to peacocks.

We can help you decide what to plant now to take advantage of summer sun, create a shady oasis or a beautiful area for entertaining.

And if it’s a waterwise garden (below) you want, we have the expertise and inventory to make that garden a reality.

(Above) This El Segundo garden features Phormium (aka flax), Yarrow and Lion’s Tail.

(Below) This curbside garden makes nice use of Ornamental Grasses, Yarrow, Phormium and Purple Stattice.

Attractive gardens have one thing in common: a vision that is executed. Ask Darla or Steve for guidance that yields results.

Mix grasses, sages, salvias and other plants to create an appealing garden (above). Our staff of nursery professionals have the knowledge you need to make your garden a beauty to behold.

Pacific Iris (below)

Daylily (above) comes in different colors. The one above is particularly stunning. You’ll see lots of Daylilies in bloom this time of year.

Cana Lily flowers (below) are vibrant and perfect on patios and around pools.

Lush landscapes can take time and attention to detail. (Below) This San Diego Mission Bay resort has successfully crafted an amazing garden of Impatiens, Foxglove and Agapanthus surrounded by Palms.

You can get quick and easy color on balconies, decks, patios and poolside with hanging baskets (below). We have an impressive color assortment to choose from, including the Tuberous Begonias (below).

Parrot’s Beak (below) is another unusual and fun plant that comes in a hanging basket. Its foliage and flower can make it quite a conversation piece.

Penstemon (below) are available in a variety of colors and this pink one contrasts nicely with some darker foliage nearby.

Foliage (below) can add awesome contrast to its flowering counterparts.

Anyone who wants to plant a succulent garden or any herbs, fruit and vegetables needs to stop in to see our awesome selection.

(Below) A Globe Artichoke