Nursery Is Oasis Where the Plants Are for Sale

Mystic Gardens in San Juan Capistrano: A Nursery Experience

When I heard about Mystic Gardens in San Juan Capistrano and read the slogan: “Not just a nursery… It’s an experience,” I was skeptical. A well-stocked nursery, maybe, but an experience?

Putting their claims to the test, my daughter, Sabrina, and I visited the two-acre property on Ortega Highway.

As we strolled meandering pathways past colorful, exotic plants and sat in rustic furniture while listening to the sound of burbling fountains, I had to admit — we were having an experience.

We weren’t alone.

On her first visit to Mystic Gardens, Robin Wilder of Laguna Niguel expected a quick shopping trip. “Things didn’t work out that way,” she said. “I took my four children and it was like a field trip. We stayed a long time.”

Dave McAllister, owner of McAllister Topsoil and Compost in San Juan Capistrano, said his weekly trips to the independent nursery make him think of Hawaii. “It’s much more than a nursery—almost like an arboretum.”

Other Noteworthy Orange County Nurseries

Orange County has other independent nurseries that offer unusual plants, high-garden accessories, and expert service. These include:

  • Roger’s Gardens, Corona del Mar
  • Heard’s Country Gardens, Westminster
  • Laguna Hills Nursery, Lake Forest
  • M & M Nursery, Orange
  • Huntington Garden Center, Huntington Beach
  • Upland Nursery, Orange
  • Brita’s Old Town Gardens, Seal Beach

The Vision Behind Mystic Gardens

Thomas McLaughlin, co-owner of McLaughlin Landscape Construction in San Clemente, and his wife, Lori, purchased Mystic Gardens two years ago. They transformed the space by adding stone paths, ponds, stream beds, and waterfalls.

“We made it a destination,” said Thomas McLaughlin. “People enjoy strolling through here.”

Creating an inviting nursery with full-grown plants on display to help customers visualize their gardens is essential for success, said general manager Ken McCausland, who worked at the location before it was revamped.

Mystic Gardens, 27401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. Phone: (949) 488-0074.

Julie Bawden-Davis

Julie Bawden-Davis is a bestselling journalist, novelist, blogger, and YouTuber. A prolific author, Julie writes in several genres. She enjoys creating page-turning suspense served up with a dose of romance, garden books that turn any brown thumb green, and spiritual books meant to enlighten and inspire. Widely published, Julie has written 45 books and more than 4,000 articles for a wide variety of national and international publications. She lives in Southern California, where she enjoys sunny, blue skies most days and year-round gardening. Julie gains inspiration from being surrounded by plants when she writes.