Saturday, we (Sophia,Ivan & I) decided it was a good day to bargain hunt. Off we went to the Plant and Pottery Outlet in Sunol. About a 20 minute drive from Livermore.
In front of our parking spot, we did not come home with a puppy.
Pots for days.
Fabulous stacks of Corten steel planters - I really dug those round barrel-y types. However, this was a day based on frugality! Those smaller squares were $120 and the smallest round (not pictured) started at $250. As Sophia said, with outlet in the name - we expect bargains.
We followed the smell of clearance, and crossed a little bridge.
over a ravine, with many metal animals trying to scare us away. Metal scorpion? These were thousands of dollars. I didn't take photos of all of them, but we saw crocodiles, snakes, elephants, rhinocerous, etc.
And back in the corner, Eureka! The clearance building.
We found a few good weirdo deals and Sophia found a great pot, 70% off. Back outside, I figured I would grab terra cotta and make do. The prices on the terra cotta from Vietnam = a dang good deal.
There were plants, too. I have a stash of plants staring at me already so I forced myself to only quickly walk through.
and indoor plants.
There is a huge inventory of pots, and it was a fun way to spend the afternoon.
I admit to wanting the turtle, and to fill it with old-fashioned sempervivum, hens & chicks to spill over his shell.
Back home with my bargains, I stuck with browns.
I have a mammillaria to go in the pot on the left. I couldn't resist the little rectangle and shallow bowl. These were all in the $5-7 range, so dang good for around here.
Bigger planters, we all liked this "carving" pattern the most.
The following category is entitled:
Why would anyone buy that?An egg-shaped candle dome. The little pedestal the egg rests on has a space for a tapered candle to be held inside. Ivan had the idea to stuff the inside with moss and attach Tillandsia all round the outside. This was on super duper clearance (haha, I wonder why-they had hundreds!). So, why not?
and our second entry in this category is this glorious green-eyed beauty. It was also super duper clearance, I assure you I did not pay $50 for this unique display.
I should end on that note. But just to address the Sawzall, Ivan did a fantastic chop back of the neighbor's Pomegranate tree that wants to live on our side of the fence. Letting some much needed sunlight hit the Leucadendron argenteums at the top of the slope.
Ok, fine - I'll admit to buying one plant, Echeveria setosa. I love the fuzzy leaves. *One plant, she says with a handful of new plants behind it.
Well, July is here and heat is coming with it.
On a serious note. My heart is broken for the people in Texas dealing with flooding, destruction and loss of life. The girls at camp being swept away, it's too much 💔
and our second entry in this category is this glorious green-eyed beauty. It was also super duper clearance, I assure you I did not pay $50 for this unique display. 
So envious of all those pots! I can't even find clay drainage saucers here on the coast. There's nothing but plastic. I remember when I first clocked the low prices of pottery from Viet Nam in LA, a shocking difference. The clay is different but it works! And some Frida Kahlo fan is going to claim the green-eyed face pot, for sure!
ReplyDeleteYeah, at first I was a little disappointed - the huge planters were still quite expensive. But once we started a deeper dive, there were bargains. Haha, it was the moustache that did it for me!
DeleteI haven't found a deal on plant pots (other than the simple terracotta ones) in some time. I'm wondering if it's time to take up pottery as a hobby! Or maybe I'll start painting my terracotta pots.
ReplyDeleteYour Leucadendron argentum looks great. The situation in Texas makes me sick too.
I think it is time, I've made cement pots in the past. Of course my mix was "off" and I only have one that stood the test of time. I may paint that weird egg! Oh my gosh, I feel so bad for the many families affected :(
DeleteYou showed restraint, especially not coming home with a puppy.
ReplyDeleteHA ha ahahaha! Aren't border collies kinda high strung? There were several farms around, so the breed makes sense. I'd been very tempted if there were Whippet puppies available.
DeleteGosh, I haven't been there in YEARS. Seemed expensive even then. But most pottery places are. I do like the pots you ended up bringing home. I need more dark brown pots like that. Their color is perfect because it lets the plants shine.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, so it's always been that way. A good amount of pots were the same/same price you'd find at Home Depot. The brown pots were a good price, and I regret not grabbing a couple more. I agree, brown shows off the plant - & once a plant is in it - I'm not so much looking at the pot anymore.
DeleteLove your blue stained fence. I painted my greenhouse that same color & love it. Holds up really well to wet OR winters & hot summers.
ReplyDeleteThe fence is actually black, but it probably does look dark blue in the photos. Our house is navy and I do love. Great color choice for a greenhouse!
DeleteI love the tall narrow brown pots you selected, they are so perfect for squeezing into a small space. As for the glorious green-eyed beauty...wow! I think I would have had to buy one too...
ReplyDelete