Four nearby flower shops worth shopping at this holiday season (or anytime, really)

Photo by Annie Liu

Adorable Sedum Ogons (Golden Japanese Stonecrops) at Yamagami’s.

My mom often invites me to go to flower shops during weekdays or weekends. Whether it’s for actually buying plants or just going there for a pleasant walk, I always say yes to her invitation. 

Going to flower shops is a nice break from school work, and they’re basically miniature parks without an admission fee (if you can resist the urge to buy the plants, that is). 

If you are bored, don’t know where to go or need to touch grass, I present my list of my local favorites.

1. Home Depot: 975 S De Anza Blvd, San Jose

Though it falls short in bougieness and aesthetics, Home Depot sells affordable plants and has a vibe of its own! Not only can we go look at the pigeons that live underneath the big roof, we can also look at a selection of flowers in a big home development store. 

The selection of flowers they have is not as diverse and unique. But being common doesn’t mean it’s not special, right? One thing I really appreciate is how they organize their plants in two categories, perennials and annuals, so I know if the flowers I bought will grow back every year or if I’m merely buying a bundle of fleeting beauty. 

They have seasonal plants too. Right now, of course, they have Christmas trees big and small with little red bows, Santa hats and candy canes.

2. Trader Joe’s: 5269 Prospect San Jose

Photo by Annie Liu

Trader Joe’s at Westgate. 

The plants section at Trader Joe’s is aesthetically pleasing AND affordable. Not only can we get groceries, we can shop at their aesthetic plants section. They have special and seasonal plants in pretty pots, and each has a hand-written price sign with illustrations that I, as an artist, really appreciate. Sometimes they also write short descriptions on how to take care of them. I surely don’t mind paying the price if the price is written in pretty fonts. 

3. Summer Winds Nursery: 1491 S De Anza Blvd, Cupertino

While they have several stores near Saratoga, my favorite is the Cupertino one with their beautiful vines hanging down from the ceiling to greet us. 

Photo by Annie Liu

Vines hanging down at Cupertino Summer Winds accompanied by Christmas decorations (the pinecones). 

Summer Winds has a great variety of plants. They have common, exotic and native plants to fill your house with. They also sell beautiful bird baths, bird feeders, wind chimes, pots and other decorations. Unfortunately, most plants here are overpriced, but I love looking at things I can’t afford and wishing I could. 

Summer Winds doesn’t get enough credit for the effort they put into creating a calming and aesthetic environment. The interior feels really homey. They have a wonderfully curated combination of plants with beautiful pots some entwined with delicate fairy lights and glazed clay figures placed on the sides. The outside garden does not disappoint either, with its many flower boxes neatly organized and taken care of, too. 

Summer Winds does not categorize their flowers in perennials and annuals, but the helpful staff they have are always there to answer questions and to nerd out about plants with you. 

If you visit during holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, they’re always geared up with seasonal decorations.

4. Yamagami’s Garden Center: 1361 S De Anza Blvd, Cupertino

The list would be incomplete without this shop, no matter how expensive the plants are there. Established in 1948, Yamagami’s nursery is known for its exotic selection of plants, fruits and vegetables. Their plants are probably the most special and come in the most variety. Each time I go there, I find something new. 

Photo by Annie Liu

Flowers in front of Yamagami’s. 

The flowers are also beautifully arranged for us to freely gaze through the isles and find special plants. I often see hummingbirds and small birds zooming around from flower to flower, pot to pot and branch to branch. The flowers there are beautifully arranged for us to freely gaze through the isles and find special plants.

What’s most special about Yamagami for me is the bonsai area they have; they sell bonsai starters and pre-made bonsais in traditional pots. I always need to touch them to double-check if they’re real, because being able to make miniature trees is just pure wizardry. 

Yamagami’s also decorates for the seasons as well. Along with adorable decorations and fairy lights, they offer seasonal sales. 

While flower shops may not provide the vast open spaces that parks do, they offer a concentrated burst of natural beauty and the opportunity to connect with the outdoors on a bite-size scale. It’s a great starter pack for developing an appreciation for the simple yet profound beauty of flowers and plants.