Heritage Succulents

Heritage Succulents

Ventura County Grown

Architectural beauties; easy care plants for indoor and outdoor gardening

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Table of Contents

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Our Story

Heritage Succulents is a nursery dedicated to growing over 150 varieties of healthy succulent plants.

The Succulent World

Succulents are plants with thick fleshy leaves and stems; this is to retain water within them.

These plants are able to survive in low water, sandy soil and hot climates.

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California Venues You will find Heritage Succulents at local festivals and farmers markets.

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Q &A

What you need to know about Heritage Succulents and its owner.

Succulents; Anywhere and Everywhere Before you throw away a dish, a flower vase, a shoe or even a piece of furniture‌ See if you can repurpose it to plant a succulent!

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Our Services Planter containers, landscape design and education.

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Editor’s Message Mis corazónes, my hearts, welcome to the first issue of Heritage Succulents.This magazine has been created with the intention of introducing you to the world of succulents. Also, meet Gary E. Blum, the creator and owner of Heritage Succulents. Gary is passionate about succulents, the community and cares for his city.

Heritage Succulents is a backyard nursery and can be found in various Ventura County farmers markets.

My hope is that within the inspiring pages of Heritage Succulents, you will discover yours.

Gardening is life, Esthela McKenzie

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Credits

Designer and Editor-in-Chief Esthela McKenzie Portrait Photos Francis Flores Images www.pixabay.com www.pexels.com www.agromin.com www.heritagesucculents.com Heritage Succulents Owner Gary E. Blum

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Heritage Succulents

Our Story

Heritage Succulents is a nursery dedicated to growing over 150 varieties of healthy succulent plants.

The 6,000 square foot landscape is located in the Historic District of the city of Oxnard, Calif.

Being in a residential area, Landscape Designer and Owner of Heritage Succulents, Gary Blum, grows his collection and practices his business and hobby out of his own back yard.

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Using his truck; Gary’s mobile nursery can be transported to farmer’s markets, festivals and home tours.

Gary came up with a box system that allows the “What started out as a few plants to be stored, transported and displayed. This tables of plants under an box system allows for 600 to avocado tree, turned into many, and now my nursery 900 plants to be showcased is at full length of the proper- and sold. ty,” shares Gary. “My interest in landscape design has “I do occasionally have cusbeen present throughout my tomers come to my home life, no matter what I was to buy a plant or two. I also display succulents in plantdoing for a living.”

With a background in agriculture and landscape, Gary started with a small collection of succulents that he acquired from a good friend.

ers for customers that want them in a finished state. It gives people ideas of what they can do with them” shares Gary.

Architectural Beauties

My City, My Inspiration In 2010, Blum donated 400 hours of his time for a civic project that was awarded a grant to the City of Oxnard.

He placed dozens of planters to adorn the city. Author of ‘Designing with Succulents and Succulent Container Gardens’ Debra Baldwin comments, “I love what you’ve done to help beautify your community. Round of applause… no, make that a standing ovation!”

Succulents are plants with thick fleshy leaves and stems. These plants are able to survive in low water, sandy soil and hot climates.

Succulents are very unique and have a striking appearance; these plants are grown for decorative purposBlum is inspired by his city; es, projects or indoor and he volunteers at the city’s outdoor gardening.

Campus Gardens “The passion for these archi- Committee, presents worktectural beauties of the plant shops and lectures for clubs, senior centers and the world drives me to design community at large. the perfect dish garden or landscape for my clients,” says Gary.

Heritage Succulents is an award winning nursery of succulent gardens and exhibits.

Gary Blum

stands with one of the beautiful planters he created to adorn the city of Oxnard.

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The World of Succulents

Why the fascination with these beauties?

Succulents are plants with thick fleshy leaves and stems; this is to retain water within them.

These plants are able to survive in low water, sandy soil and hot climates. If you don’t have a green thumb… these are your type of plants!

Also known as cactus plants; some take a flowery shape, others are full of leaves or take different stem shapes. Their blooms are just breath taking, they produce beautiful colorful flowers that last from 1-3 days.

Did someone say 50 shades of green?

The colors of these plants are usually green, but could have any tone from the color wheel!

These plants are very attractive and easy to grow and maintain; because of this, many people enjoy growing them as a hobby and create beautiful gardens, planters and projects.

Next time you’re at your local nursery, check them out! But they’re so popular that your nearest grocery store will have them. Enjoy growing and taking care of them; and take lots of photos when they bloom.

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Landscape of a Succulent Garden created by Heritage Succulents.

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Come see us at the following California venues: All events are from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Channel Islands Harbor Farmers Market Channel Islands Harbor Conejo Cactus and Succulent Society Spring Show & Sale Elks Lodge, Thousand Oaks

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Q& A 12 Heritage Succulents

Where is Heritage Succulents located?

Everywhere! You will find Heritage Succulents at local Ventura County festivals and farmers markets.

Can I shop at my own time?

Being a backyard nursery located in Oxnard’s residential historic district; walkthroughs and visits are encouraged by appointment.

New to the Succulent World?

Get familiarized and fall in love!

Who is Gary E. Blum?

• Owner of Heritage Succulents and

Design Consultant • Site Superintendent of Heritage Square • Owner of Heritage Square Services

What are his professional affiliations?

Heritage Succulents works with customers to introduce them to succulents and provide information to keep them healthy and growing. Consultation of landscape designs and planters are made available to one-on-one or groups of individuals. With their large inventory; they provide training for planting in containers, planters or landscapes.

• Board Member, Ventura County/Oxnard Cultural Heritage Board • Board Member, Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center • Board Member, Oxnard Downtowners • Salsa Festival Committee Member • Consultant, First Thursdays Food Trucks • Chairman, Downtown Oxnard

Farmers Market • Oxnard Community Planning Group

Can they Beautify my Upcoming Event?

• California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Landscape Architecture • Ventura College, Landscape Design

Heritage Succulents provides beautiful centerpieces and favors for weddings, parties and events.

Education

Awards • 2014 Oxnard Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award Heritage Succulents

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Succulents; Anywhere and Everywhere It takes effort, time, money and space to start or maintain a garden…

So you think!

Succulents are low maintenance plants that will survive with a bit of sun and soil and minimum water.

One thing to remember is, you don’t need expensive pots or a large landscape.

You can start growing succulents from cuttings (a leaf or piece of stem from another plant) and plant them in smaller containers. If you place a succulent in a small container; it will accommodate itself to the container.

If you place it in a large container; it will have more space to grow and expand.

Before you throw away a dish, a flower vase, a shoe or even a piece of furniture… See if you can repurpose it to plant a succulent!

Finding “stuff” to use as planters will keep you motivated because you will have the opportunity to change your garden often. You will also love the fact that you did not spend a fortune!

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Our Services Include: Planted Containers

Heritage Succulents features ready-made dish gardens in traditional and unique containers that are popular for gifts. We offer custom planting of your new or existing containers for a fresh new look. We also can provide plants for party and wedding favors with our large inventory and even show you how to plant them.

Succulent Landscape Design Have a problem planter around the yard or want to jazz up a tired entry? Try succulents. We can design a low maintenance landscape that will give you years of enjoyment for minimal investment.

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Succulent Plants

Succulents are available in a variety of sizes. We grow most of our own stock for your project.

Succulent Education

Garden clubs and groups are welcome for educational lectures and classes about succulents. Come to our nursery or we can provide a presentation at your meeting location.

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Reviews

Downtown Oxnard Planter Project, April 2012 Hi, Gary — This is marvelous! I’m thrilled to have played even the smallest part, and am very grateful you sent the photos and links. I would love a tour, and the next time I’m in the area I’ll certainly take you up on it… When I wrote Succulent Container Gardens, I certainly had no idea that anything like this might result from it. I’m going to share this with the person who suggested I write the book, the garden editor of Sunset magazine—she deserves credit, too. Those planters are such a good idea, and remind me of similar ones I’ve seen in other cities.

But these are much more sensible. If succulents don’t get watered, they’re fine. If annuals don’t get watered, they’re toast. Moreover, Oxnard’s maritime climate really lends itself to this sort of thing. How wonderful that you were able to get funding, and the downtown business community is so supportive. I’d love to see this become a model for other coastal and Southern California cities... I’ve mentioned this on Facebook and will also do so in my quarterly e-newsletter. I wish you and Heritage Succulents all the success in the world! Please stay in touch.

— Debra Lee Baldwin Garden Photojournalist Author, Designing with Succulents, Succulent Container Gardens

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“I cannot thank you enough for everything!! The succulents were gorgeous, and everyone loved them. I didn’t see them until I showed up at the reception, and I was blown away by how great they turned out. You were a miracle worker to get them done so quickly. THANK YOU!!!

— Liz Garret, wedding succulents customer “Heritage Succulents has won awards from the Ventura County Fair for “Best use of Plant Material” and educational exhibits.

— Ray Talley, Horticultural Judge, Ventura County Fair “I can’t believe I get to enjoy this dream garden”, “ Gary was great to work with to create my succulent seascape for my front yard.”

— Kim Johnson, Oxnard, CA “Gary thank you so much for the table centerpieces for our recent Church function, they were a big hit.”

— Betty Kennedy, St. Anthony’s Church, Oxnard “Gary… Your beautiful arrangement went for $140… I personally think we could have sold 10 of them! A number of people asked for your location and contact info... I am a docent facilitator at Lotusland in Santa Barbara and can definitely suggest that they carry your succulent arrangements…”

— Guy Webb, Partnerships Chairman, Ventura Botanical Gardens, Inc.

I love what you’ve done to help beautify your community. Round of applause… No, make that a standing ovation!

— Debra Lee Baldwin, author, Designing with Succulents and Succulent Container Gardens, http://www.debraleebaldwin.com Gary, you are truely an inspiration. It is said, “Art is where the hand, head and heart of man come together.” Cheers! to your art and the artist. I want to be more like you! Well done.

— Michael Tardif, Plant Picasso

Gary Blum is an amazing landscape artist and truly passionate about succulents. I hired Gary to design a dozen large-size patio pots for my front and back yard. They are beautiful, easy to maintain, and absolutely thriving.

— Ruth Ballin Wow! I didn’t know there was so much variety available in succulents! I’ll have to make an appointment to visit your nursery. Thanks.

— Chitza

Had a great time designing my dish at the Succulent Party today.

Thanks, Gary.

— Mary Ellen Harwood Hi, Gary… I’m loving the succulents and the planter that we bought from you Saturday at the Cajun Festival.

You have such a beautiful selection and the plants are so deliciously plump and beautiful. Thank you so much! And please put us on your email list.

— Maggie Causey, Malibu, CA

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