In Orange County, southern California, the Tree of Life Nursery, specializing in cultivating native plants for almost 45 years, announced on September 15th that they will begin inventory clearance this fall, with the final inventory liquidation scheduled for December 2025.
Located in San Juan Capistrano, the Tree of Life Nursery is a recommended nursery for residents who are passionate about planting native plants. With nearly 500 species of native plants, co-founder and president Mike Evans stated, “In Southern California, we are known for planting native plants and are passionate about cultivating high-quality native plants that people identify with.”
Evans and Jeff Bohn founded the Tree of Life Nursery in 1980, sharing a common love and respect for native plants. Their mission is to promote California’s natural environment through planting, cultivating, and selling high-quality native plants.
Since its establishment, there has been a high demand for native plants and related services at the nursery. They expanded from an initial 14 acres to later leasing nearly 40 acres of land at the historic Rancho Mission Viejo, serving as a greenhouse, breeding area, and commercial operation base. Evans did not delve into specifics about why they are ending the nursery business, simply expressing that all things have a beginning and an end.
On the website, Evans mentioned, “We have made many friends and shared numerous stories about culture and native plants with people.” Bohn added, “Mike and I are very grateful for the success and impact of the Tree of Life Nursery, but we have determined that it is time to conclude the nursery business and lay the foundation for the next chapter in our lives.”
Rancho Mission Viejo, a family-owned ranch in Orange County and the last operating ranch in the area, includes citrus groves, protected canyons, and streams. Ranch President Jeremy Laster stated, “The Tree of Life Nursery is not just our tenant; they are more like family.” The ranch highly values its relationship with the nursery, with Laster expressing pride in being the nursery’s home for over 40 years.
“The current area will become the headquarters for the ranch’s future natural reserve, including the Tree of Life Nursery’s native plant garden,” Laster said. He hopes that after retirement, Evans and Bohn will continue to dedicate time to protecting California’s native plant heritage.
Plants are the foundation of the natural ecological cycle, attracting birds, butterflies, bees, and insects. Charlie Gibbons, a member of the Orange County Native Plant Society, stated in a previous interview that population growth and urban development have led to the loss of habitats for many native plants, animals, birds, and insects in California.
In 1965, a group of nature enthusiasts, gardeners, and plant experts in California formed the California Native Plant Society. Thanks to nature’s abundance, California boasts nearly 7,000 species of native plants, many of which cannot be found elsewhere in the world.
In recent years, more residents have shown interest in native plants. Due to water scarcity, rising water prices, and restrictions on outdoor lawn irrigation, many people are opting to plant native plants as they are more drought-resistant and environmentally adaptable compared to artificial lawns or paved areas. Currently, the Tree of Life Nursery offers over 400 species of native plants, with some seedlings in cultivation.
According to the California Native Plant Society, the ideal time to plant native plants is in late fall, winter, or early spring, around October to February. The hot summer or early autumn weather is challenging for most plants, so it is best to plant before or during the winter rains, allowing them to establish roots and sprout before the arrival of the scorching summer.