Coastal Gardens - One of Texas' Oldest Orchid Nurseries
The Early Years
Coastal Gardens is one of the oldest orchid nurseries in Texas. It has been an orchid production facility in continuous operation since the early fifties, located near the coast of South Texas in Corpus Christi.
The facility was originally built by Red Austin and then purchased by Bill Barfield in the mid fifties. Mr. Barfield, an oil field geologist by trade, was a prolific hybridizer. Mr. Barfield specialized in cattleyas for the cut flower industry and provided blooms for florists around the world. He imported plants such as Blc. Norman's Bay from England and used them as breeding stock in many crosses. Mr. Barfield used selected species plants and wonderful parents such as C. Edithae, C. Bow Bells, C. Henrietta Japhet, and others to produce long lasting flowers on plants that would not only thrive in the South Texas heat but would also bloom repeatedly through the year. Mr. Barfield was active in the local, regional, and national orchid societies. He participated in the AOS Judging System, achieving the rank of Judge Emeritus in 1991. Mr. Barfield was known for his expertise in the cattleya alliance.
In the late eighties Mr. Barfield became ill. His condition deteriorated and in the two years immediately before his death most of the orchid plants were sold. In 1999 the facility passed to the current owners along with the few thousand orchid plants that remained. Repair and restoration of the facility is currently under way.
Coastal Gardens no longer specializes in orchids for the cut flower trade. We are currently offering a selection of vintage orchid plants - The Heirloom Orchid Collection. Quantities of these divisions of wonderful old crosses is very limited. As restoration progresses we will provide a wide selection of orchid plants. Hybridizing continues with a focus on conservation and propagation of quality species plants. Flasks and seedlings will be listed as available.
And The Orchids Grow On.... Recent Events:
As many of you know, our rebuilding schedule was altered slightly for us by the tornado on October 24th, 2002 . . . - To View Some of the Pictures, Click Here - . We managed to put the emergency shelter in place by the grace of GOD and the help of many wonderful people who would come by and pitch in when they had an hour or two. - To View Some of the Pictures, Click Here - .
The next stage was to clear the debris and rebuild. The work goes slowly but we are making progress.
And the Orchids Grow...
The area we have in production is increasing and the years ahead look good. We have gotten our EBAY auctions going... thanks for checking them out.
Praise: PERFECT..Thank you for the super smooth transaction. CU again A++++
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