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It’s how big?? Welcome to Southland Nursery !!
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Southland Nursery's 'garden angel' Krystal Jones - look for the red and white big top.
There's a huge nursery in the foothills just north of Burbank, but it isn't located on
Glenoaks, Sunland Blvd. or any major thoroughfare. In fact, you can only see it briefly
from the 210 freeway or LaTuna Canyon Road. It's nestled in the valley there - over four
acres of beautiful palms, fruit trees, flowers and some rare plants from different
countries. Southland Nursery is a family O&O and always a work in progress.
The arboretum-style plot is run by Gerry Khudaverdyan, his lovely wife, sons, nephews
and even Grandma and Grandpa, who do the watering at least three days a week.
Khudaverdyan had never been involved with landscaping, but always dreamed of owning
a nursery. When he found this six acre parcel for sale, he thought it would be the perfect
location for his dream and felt that the community would receive it better than housing
or apartment complexes. He had faith and knew it would be a nature friendly, calming
and relaxing for visitors just browsing or serious gardeners who want a large variety of
plants and trees to choose from.
Gerry is very aware of the environment and they use only organic products from fertilizer
to pest control. Upon entering the nursery, you'll see a gorgeous, large round mosaic
table with wraparound benches and a large waterfall surrounded by blasts of colors and
rows .of tropical fruit trees - a great spot to sit and relax and, enjoy the view and the
serenity. There's a wooden gazebo where you can chat, ask questions and plan your
landscaping needs with the family and nursery specialist, Krystal Jones – affectionately
called 'The Garden Angel'.
Ms. Jones has been studying horticulture at Mt. San Antonia College and has nearly a
decade of hands-on experience. You can tell she loves what she does and she'll take all
the time it requires to answer all your questions - along with interesting gardening facts
you may not have ever heard of before. Her expertise is drought-tolerant plants, palms
and tropical trees, but she's brilliant in all areas of gardening. I got the leisurely tour of a
portion of. the grounds (four plus acres is a lot to cover) and was introduced to trees that
are favorites in the Armenian community – sweet lemon (unbelievably tasty), grapefruit,
persimmon, mulberry; fig, guava, papaya, mango and even almond trees.
"We care about our plants - I'm not saying other people don't - but that's one of the
major things to us." explains son Marvin, "We care and if we can save something, we
don't throw it away. We have a little 'sick plant' section to keep them alive and bring
them back to health instead of throwing them away. Once we think it's healthy enough,
we'll put it back out."
Personal attention is an integral part of the Southland Nursery team. Got a sick plant?
Bring a sample to Krystal and she'll help figure out the problem. Need help with
landscaping your home? She'll come to your home and take soil samples and help you
plan it. Looking for something unusual? Ask Krystal or Gerry, Marvin, Edwin,
Edmond or any other family members except Grandpa. He'll be busy watering.
Southland Nursery is located at 7415 La Tuna Canyon Road in Sun Valley, just north of
Burbank. It's a bit tricky to enter the parking lot, so once you're on LTC Road, near the
210 freeway, slow way down – until you see the red and white big top.
Call for 818.353.3502 for more info and seasonal hours.
