Southern California Spring Garden Show - 2025

South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa hosted its 35th Southern California Spring Garden Show last week.  I can't recall how many times I've attended but I once guessed that I paid my first visit in 2005.  I've documented nine visits between 2013, after launching this blog, and 2025.  I didn't attend in 2020, 2021 or 2022 but the events may have been cancelled during that period due to the COVID pandemic.  I took photos in 2015 but never did anything with them.  I've grown less enthusiastic about the "display gardens" ever since then but I've continued to attend the show primarily to shop the vendor exhibits.

The centerpiece of the show is always a sky-high display styled rather like the floats exhibited during the New Year's Rose Parade in Pasadena using natural materials.  In fact, in past years, one of the float makers usually took responsibility for its design.  This year's floral centerpiece didn't disappoint; however, I couldn't find anything to identify the company responsible for its creation this year.

The theme was 'Wonders of Nature.'  It had a tropical vibe and reached from the first floor of the mall to the third floor.

It featured birds, butterflies, flowers, frogs, and monkeys

A sign identified the natural materials used in its creation

It's obviously difficult to design a garden, much less multiple gardens, inside an enclosed retail mall.  It's also difficult to photograph them under those conditions.  Nonetheless, the displays in the "old days" were much more representative of actual garden spaces than the displays in recent years, which would be better described as advertisements for outdoor furniture.

I don't have any photographs from the shows prior to 2013 but here's one snapshot of the 1st Place Award winner in 2014.

This exhibit was called 'Reflections of a California Scenario.'  It was designed by students from Orange Coast College, which offers classes in horticulture and ecology.

I photographed all eight of the 2025 displays.  The Plaza's furniture retailers took control of these beginning in 2015 and the difference was evident.  As it may be interesting, I've included abbreviated descriptions of each garden posted by the designers on South Coast Plaza's website.  I eliminated references to specific stores.

This exhibit was labeled 'Serenity'.  Description: "Blending the calming sound of flowing water with the warmth of a cozy fire creates a serene ambiance, making this outdoor living space perfect for intimate gatherings."  (I can't explain the gorilla head but I think I've seen it before at a prior show.)

This one was labeled 'Zen Master'.  Description: "Outdoor living in Southern California with a desert vibe combines rugged, natural elements like succulents and stone with contemporary furniture pieces...creating a serene, sun-soaked oasis that blends modern design with simple outdoor beauty."

Labeled 'The Verdant Haven'.  Description:  "Raised decks create elevated viewpoints and encourage interactions with a landscape of showy plants.  The Gabion fire pit is a focal point of the space complemented by furnishings." 

Labeled 'Social & Serene'.  Description:  "Surround yourself with nature and good company in this multi-level garden with unique outdoor 'rooms'.  Collect fresh herbs before you gather with a friend on the upper terrace for alfresco dining amidst CA native flowers.  Listen for birdsong and watch the butterflies flutter.  Connect...while you get comfy near a warm fire or relax...and listen to the soothing water sounds from the reclaimed vintage fountain..."  (It continued on and on.) 

Labeled 'Thrive in Your Own Backyard'.  Description: "The essence of this garden display is an invitation to slow down, take a deep breath, smell the fresh herbs, taste the organic produce, and sit and enjoy life with loved ones.  A feeling of calm and grounding is achieved through earthy colors, cozy textures, and natural stone."  (I admired the succulent, which we saw in a few of the display gardens.)

Labeled 'Where Families Come Together'.  Description:  "This living room green space combines comfort, nature, and connection, offering a welcoming retreat for all ages.  A pergola with hanging plants, a vibrant succulent wall, and a soothing water feature create a tranquil environment..."

Labeled 'The Sanctuary'.  Description:  "Imagine a serene outdoor space with a shaded pergola, comfy seating, a bubbling water feature with lights, and a cozy fire pit.  Succulent-filled planters add color, and soft landscape lighting creates a magical ambiance." 

Labeled 'Mother Nature's Canopy'.  Description: "Imagine starting your day harvesting fresh vegetables from your micro garden, creating blended juices from your garden kitchen, and visiting with friends under a canopy of beauty that only Mother Nature can provide.  Connect with your spirit on a yoga mat, as you purify and transform your mind, body, and soul." 

There were also nineteen floral displays designed by Fleurs de Villes but most of these were set up in the main (fashion) section of South Coast Plaza's Jewel Court.  My friend and I didn't venture in that direction so I only have photos of the two displays in the section of the mall hosting the garden show. 

This year's mannequins were dressed in materials intended to resemble characters in 'Downtown Abbey' 

An estimated forty vendors held court on the two upper tiers of the mall.  The majority featured orchids, succulents, and tropical plants.  Unfortunately, some of the vendors I most appreciated in prior years, including Muradian Pottery, no longer participate in the annual show.  Here are a few shots of the goods offered by the vendors that showed up this year.

There were at least 10 vendors specializing in orchids, including others that offered orchids among other plants

Miscellaneous offerings from preserved fruits and foliage, houseplants, garden shrubs, and succulents.  I'd really like a 'Pink Witch' Aeonium (bottom row) but they're still overpriced in my view.  The large noID crested Aeonium on the middle right was magnificent but I didn't even look for a price tag.

Specimens from Mona Lisa's succulent plant booth.  I picked up a less expensive version of the crested Senecio vitalis on the left and my friend picked up a smaller, as yet "uncrested," version of the succulent on the right.   

We admired the bromeliads offered by Rainforest Flora, including some exceptionally large Tillandsias.  I've shopped Rainforest's Torrance store on many occasions in the past but it's been several years since I've dropped in there.

Various plant societies had tables too, including those addressing roses, fuchsias, iris, and hibiscus plants with gigantic flowers.

The Coastal Bonsai Club had 2 Bougainvilleas on display, among other plants

My friend and I both took home plants.  My haul was relatively small.

My purchases included, left to right: Cleistocactus colademononis (aka monkey tail cactus), a crested Senecio vitalis, and Tillandsia lorentziana.  The latter was a relative bargain. 

The show is now over.  My friend and I attended on its first day and even so it was crowded.  The display gardens may not be exciting but we had a good time picking through the vendors' wares.  Hopefully, the attendance numbers will draw some of my favorite plant and pottery sellers back in future years.

All material © 2012-2025 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party