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Writer's pictureHannah Want

Whimsy in Southern California: Roger's Gardens

Updated: Jul 20, 2022

If you're feeling whimsical, love plants, pumpkins, autumn, or Halloween decorations, then I would make sure not to miss a visit to Roger's Gardens. This gardener's haven nestled in Newport, on the outskirts of Fashion Island, is an absolute wonderland of holiday magic.





The garden center is broken up into different rooms, each filled with a themed selection of fauna. There is a floral room, succulent room, room filled with houseplants, tillandasia houseplants, and so much more. There are sheds filled with garden supplies, decor, and a wide variety of wind chimes. There is even an entire section dedicated to "miniature gardening" - which I found so charming and quaint if you want to build yourself a little fairy garden. The outside areas of Roger's Gardens are divided up into an area for edible gardening with cabbages, tomatos, herbs and more, outdoor plants, and a shade garden plant area underneath large trellises. As it is autumn-time, a wide section of gravel becomes a dedicated pumpkin patch. As we entered the garden center, people spilled out armed with wheelbarrows full of wide selections of beautiful pumpkins.





One of this biggest draws this time of year is Roger's Garden's themed Halloween boutique. Every year, the garden center hosts an extravagant gift shop decorated to the nines with that year's theme. We were delighted to enter the dark and intriguing space so dubbed "Malice in Wonderland." This dark take on Alice in Wonderland welcomed customers with a spooky gift shop filled with surprises, from the iconic characters of the story to dragons, larger-than-life mushrooms, and so much more! The Halloween boutique really is an experience in itself.





The photo ops are endless - my friend Alex was drawn to the red throne in the Queen of Hearts corner where she posed with a decor heart. You can live out your Khaleesi dreams and pose with a large dragon on the opposite end of the shop. The beautiful black and white room with black crystal chandeliers sets the perfect stage for a gorgeous gothic photo.






If you're less of a Halloween person and more of a Christmas fiend, there is already an entire gift shop set up filled with Christmas cards, ornaments, and everything else you would need for a cozy Noel. Another giftshop, labeled for "Collectors", currently houses a multitude of ornaments all along the walls. If you walk into the second room of the shop, you will find an impressive bookcase arch flowing down from the ceiling.



No matter if you want to get in a spooky mood, pick up some bits for the garden, or even have a bite to eat at the Farmhouse Restaurant (a fancy, Mediterranean-vibe spot on the premises of the garden center), Roger's Gardens is the place to go. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to comment below.


Stay spooky!



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