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| To the person interested in
plants, Medina Valley Greenhouses offers a unique experience. In
business since 1963, it is a nursery that specializes in variety.
Their motto is "Everything From Cactus to Orchids," and the place is
sometimes described as a school teacher's hobby that got out of
hand.
Owners Mary Margaret and Ellis Burges are both Texas
Certified Nursery Professionals. Aside from running the nursery they
are actively involved in various clubs and organizations in the Castroville community. Mrs.
Burges also writes The
Monthly Gardener column for area papers. Over the years they
have enlivened their vacation travels by seeking out beautiful and unusual
plants for their collection that simply are not available in the
commercial nursery trade. |
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Being such a unique nursery, articles
have been published both in Texas Monthly and Texas Highways
magazines.
Mrs. Burges (seen in photo) received a special award
for her long-term support of the Xeriscape concept.....water conservation
through creative landscaping. Thus, native plants are a specialty,
along with other species adapted to the local semi-arid
conditions. |
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At the other extreme, there are all sorts
of water plants including lilies, water poppies, bog plants, and
underwater plants that provide oxygen for fish.
One room of the greenhouse is devoted to
cactus, euphorbias, aloes and other desert plants. The rest is
filled with orchids and other tropicals. One whole wall of the
main greenhouse is faced with honey-comb rocks where orchids, bromeliads,
hoyas and ferns produce a striking rain forest effect! |
| The greenhouse itself is built into the
side of a hill to protect it from cold winter winds. The cypress
timber's from which it is built were the staves of a large brewing vat at
San Antonio's Pearl brewery before prohibition. After World War I,
Mrs. Burges' father bought the vat for use as a water tank on his
farm. Forty years later the wood was built into the greenhouse and
the old carpenter who did the work swore he could still smell the beer
when his saw bit into the wood! |
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From trees to shrubs, flowers to ferns, and
pottery to outdoor furniture, Medina Valley Greenhouses has it all.
You will also find a small store with hanging baskets, seeds, fertilizer,
and pesticides for your convenience.
The next time you are in Castroville take a
drive down the scenic Old River Road (an extension of Mexico Street -
click on the map below) to
Medina Valley Greenhouses and |
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stroll the grounds. The Burges' will
be happy to help you with all your "green thumb" needs.
The nursery is surrounded by the Medina
river in a forest of ancient pecans, sycamores and cypress. Birds love
it, and birders are welcome to use the parking area while they enjoy
their hobby.
Hours are 9 to 5 every day but
Thanksgiving, Christmas and other special holidays. |
| If you have any questions
please do not hesitate to call Medina Valley Greenhouses at
830-931-2298 for more information. |
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CLICK ON MAP TO SEE LARGER IMAGE. |
