Hot Deals in Sonoma

Sonoma Horticultural Nursery is one of western Sonoma County’s hidden jewels, with a name that doesn’t quite tell the whole story.  Tucked into a rural neighborhood south of Sebastopol, the actual nursery takes up less than half of the nearly eight acres. The rest is a wild, extravagant, exuberant garden, lovingly tended by Polo de Lorenzo since 1976, when he purchased the property from azalea farmers.

There are shady paths that wind through an ever-changing wonderland of azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, magnolias, wisteria and hundreds of other plants, including a dazzling pond of gunnera, its six-foot leaves stretching skyward beneath a verdant canopy of tall trees.

Everywhere you turn, you hear the music of water, carried on the wind from the creek, the pond and the four fountains tucked throughout the estate. The most visible rests at the end of the allee, an enchanting passageway of woven maples. Another is nestled sweetly in a tiny courtyard, a bench nearby should you wish to linger.

A third fountains sits amidst a cove of redwood trees, offering a perfect respite on warm days.
The fourth, a bamboo fountain nestled by the creek, is magical and meditative.

None of this is salesmanship; rather, it is designed for beauty and the pleasure it imparts.

There are free maps at the kiosk so visitors can take self-guided tours. If you would like to enjoy a picnic, please check in. For groups of 10 or more, make reservations at least two weeks in advance. Cost for groups is $3 a person for self-guided tours and $5 with a guide.

Michele Anna Jordan