Friends in San Antonio told me they like to shop at Shades of Green nursery, so when I was in town a few weeks ago I decided it was time for a visit. The place looks small from the outside, but as soon as I walked in, the nursery kept unfolding new paths, courtyards, and greenhouses. I was drawn first to this sunny space with yuccas, cacti, and other heat lovers.

Of course there are perennials, shrubs, and trees too.

Under a shade structure, smaller succulents can be found. Some are creatively potted, like the aloe and other succulents in this tiered bowl planter.

Along one wall, small pots stand ready for you to make your own unique planters.

Towering bald cypress trees shade much of the nursery. A rusty metal, lattice-style gazebo offers another way to achieve shade.

Shades of Green has creative merchandising, including the use of stock tanks turned on edge as display niches for pots, plants, and even lighting.

An old fence panel or door hangs as a rustic backdrop to another display of pots and houseplants.

I hadn’t seen this type of sansevieria before: ‘Whale Fin’. I almost had to buy one as an indoor complement to my beloved whale’s tongue agaves.

Burlap coffee sacks make a textural backdrop to this cute collection of square orange pots and teal owl vessels.

An unusual squared-off arbor

I got distracted by the giant bald cypresses growing everywhere.

And look — cypress knees! I love that strappy metal sphere too, cradled among the knees.

Rustic charm

Inside another greenhouse I spotted these fun hanging pots labeled as Puff planters. Made of line-etched terracotta and punched with holes, they are shaped like onions, pillows…

…stars…

…and gourds. Wouldn’t they make a fun display for tillandsias or maybe votive candles? More-traditional pots in the same style are also available.

I admired this open-design terracotta pot. It would be pretty filled with twinkle lights and set on a porch step.

Carnivorous plants reminded me of my friend Jean’s garden.

In the gift shop, a menagerie of iron animals and pastel rainbow pots caught my eye.

Also this eye pot and glass boxes with a flowering tillandsia. Lots of great gift ideas!

I’m sure I’ll be checking out Shades of Green again the next time I’m in San Antonio.

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Digging Deeper

Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Season 8 kicks off in fall 2024. Stay tuned for more info!

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