Mesogeo Garden & Greenhouse

If you find yourself on Bainbridge Island on a weekend between say April and September and you have even a whiff of gardening spirit in you, you must simply stop at Mesogeo, an oasis of Mediterranean plants just one-​quarter mile off the main 305 highway.
Be warned: if your idea of nursery shopping is Miracle-​gro and vegetable starts and six packs of petunias you will be disappointed. (Nothing against petunias, but this is not the place to find them. No matter, just drive a mile down the road to Bainbridge Gardens.) Mesogoeo is not a garden center but a nursery in the truest sense, a 135-​year old farm on 7 acres where almost all the stock is grown on site. They specialize in «Mediterranean zone and hardy tropical plants.»
The owners (Terry and Terri) are friendly and knowledgeable. Once the warmer weather arrives, the considerable array of plant stock is arranged outside in no particular order (or so it seems to me) but more’s the charm. The display gardens themselves are breathtaking, particularly in later summer. Mesogeo is a superb destination when you’re looking for that one plant that none of the neighbors have or if you simply have a dry, warm spot that’s screaming out for plants that can take the heat (not a common malady in the Northwest, I grant you) or if you simply seek inspiration.
Here’s your garden-​lovers day trip: Bay Hay & Feed, Mesogeo, Bainbridge Gardens, and a visit to the Bloedel Reserve. Squeeze in the Saturday farmer’s market and bring your checkbook.
Note: open to the public Saturday and Sunday or else by appointment.