Holy crap, I've lived in Sierra Madre for, well, my children are fourth generation residents, I had no idea Altadena went that far north. Anyway, what a place. Overwhelming in the number of varieties of Azaleas and Camellias (sp). Before you go check hours. Great prices. The brothers who own/run are old school fabulous. No debit/credit cards. Cash, check. read more

I came in late in the season when a lot of the Camellias are no longer blooming. The owner was nice enough to pick whatever blooms he had left, lined them all up on his bench so I could see everything in one place. After about 1.5 hours indecisively wandering around I finally decided on the High Fragrance, Joe Nuccio, and Nuccio's Pearl. Since I drove over an hour from Anaheim, he gave me a GREAT discount! They're typically $37.50 for a 5 gallon pot. read more

Really nice staff and great plants I'll be coming back soon to get more plants for my home. read more

Good quality specialized plants azaleas and camellias within reasonable price. Friendly old style service with the owner and the stuffs. They don't accept credit cards. Cash and check only. Like I said old style!! What can I ask more? I will be back . read more

I live all the way up in Sacramento and am heartbroken to hear they will be closing. Don't even know where I will ever find some of the varieties they offer. My 2 Baby Bears, one Twinkle, Twinkle and a couple of other varieties that one never ever sees elsewhere. The irony is that Sacramento is supposedly the camellia capital and you can't find any unusual varieties at any of the nurseries here locally. Hope someone somewhere in California picks up the mantle. read more

This place is great. I came here to get some Satsuki Azalea to plant in my yard, and some to make bonsai with. When I showed up the man that greeted me walked me all around the nursery, showing me all the plants, explaining how the color varieties will grow, even how to propagate a plant for a desired flower. The selection is staggering, these plants are hard to come by around here. The prices are fantastic, (cash only,) and on top of that he even threw in a free plant. I ended up going home with 7 plants, all of which flowered beautifully. read more

Nuccio's Nurseries - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Altadena, California

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Jim is amazing! I own many Camellias on my property, which my predecessor bought from Jim's father back in the 1930s-60. My grandfather took excellent care of them and now I do so. I went up there to purchase a Camellia bread by The Nuccio's back in the 90s and it did not disappoint. Talked Azaleas and showed Jim some pictures from my garden, wonderful environment and a landmark in horticulture and the Camellia Azalea world. Customer for life now. read more

I love the condition of plants. They are so helpful and friendly I had a couple Azulas out of seven plants that where not doing well I took them back and ended up with bigger plants when they exchanged them. No problems I love that you can find different kinds of looks in flowers that you would not find anywhere else. I first purchased from them the first time in 1998 for my new home and never had a problem with the plants. So i went back 2021 and purchased plants for a new home. Love this nursery I highly recommend. read more

Went to ask about Easter flowers for church and was treated to a grand tour by both brothers. Learned a lot, they have pride in their business. A nice field trip. read more

FYI, the website no longer works, the domain has expired, looks like some scalpers are sitting on it. The nursery sounds fantastic, hope they get a new website working soon. read more

Went to the nursery today to pick up a tea plant and the owner of the nursery was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. He spent time to explain the three varieties that they sold and which would be the best to take home. Overall a very good experience and would highly recommend if you are looking for a tea tree (camellia sinensis). read more

Simply the best. I remember coming to Nuccios with my parents as a child. They were avid gardeners and Nuccios was a special destination nursey, and a vast fairyland to me. Well, alot of years have passed, and Nuccios has remained the same in every wonderful way. Splendid camillias, azaleas and dogwoods, fantastic inventory, great prices, delightful and knowledgeable staff/family and passion for their flora products. It's like stepping back in time. And I'm going today! read more

Great service , wonderful selection. Staff is very knowledgeable and always helpful. Prices are amazing. Worth the drive to this gem.

Amazing nursery, my second visit. Tom listened to my outdoor needs and gave me so many choices that would work. They are EXPERTS in azalea and camellias, HUGE selection, great prices, and lovely people. They enjoy sharing their knowledge with you. HAVE FUN Cash/check only read more

My boyfriend and I stopped by this nursery on the way home from a hike on the Brown Mountain Trail. Jim greeted us right away and took us on a tour of the nursery! I cannot wait until early Jan to come back and see flowers in bloom. read more

They know what they are doing & can offer professional advise. They have beautiful healthy plants. They could use more help.

My first visit to Nuccio's was a real treat. Plant selection was huge; many different and unique varieties. What struck me, was how amazing the service was; they answered my questions like they were the most intelligent questions they ever heard. (They were basic!) This family owned business exemplifies what customer service looks like. Amazing! Impressive! I learned a lot that day about azaleas and camellia s. I learned even more about customer service. read more

When I found this place, it was like a dream. A huge variety of azaleas and camelias everywhere. Exceptionally beautiful locale. I needed two extra azaleas to finalize a row at my house, but I only had a credit card on me. The extremely personable owner told me to take the azaleas and mail him the check. This is a REAL business with honor and friendliness as its foundation. I mailed a check ASAP, over and above the amount owed. It is imperative to support businesses and people like these. If I could rate more than 5 stars, I would. Thank you. read more

Came all the way from La Mesa to buy some camellias & azaleas. Couldn't be happier. Huge selection, great prices, and friendly people with excellent knowledge. It was well worth the trip. Don't go anywhere else if you are looking for camelias and/or azaleas. There is good reason they are rated 5 star. read more

Today I visited Nuccio's to purchase azaleas and camellias. They have a beautiful large nursery of several acres. I was so fortunate that Jim, one of the owners, was there to help me. I told him what I was looking for and he immediately made some good suggestions. He is so knowledgeable and very accommodating. I left with a beautiful purple rhododendron, two varieties of azaleas, and two types of large flowered camellias. I will definitely return in the winter when the flowers are in bloom to purchase more. It is nice to have such a high quality nursery in the area. read more

This is the best nursery ever for camellias, azaleas gardenias, etc. They know what they're doing because the family has been in the business for several generations. They've even hybridized certain camellias for which they are renowned. Run, don't walk to discover one of Southern California Gas horticultural gems. read more

Jim, the co-owner, is incredibly kind and knowledgeable. The flower variety is impressive and we will be back!

Tom Nuccio is the real. His father began the business in the 40's after wwII. His growing skills and knowledge of azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons is unparalleled. He is a generous man who shares his rich knowledge his customers. I can't say enough about his expertise and rich and diverse product line. read more

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This place looked awesome, it really did, but we never even got a chance to find out for ourselves. My partner and I had a HORRIBLE experience here when we went one sunday morning to check out their selection. As soon as we got out of the car, some grumpy old man told us to leave. He never said "Hi" or even acknowledged us, he just looked at us and said we had to leave. I'm guessing he's homophobic and grumpy old man that doesn't need our business, even though we're looking to have our entire backyard planted wtih lots and lots of plants, grasses, trees, etc. We tried to figure out what it was that made him act so negatively toward us and we were just never able to figure it out. There were other cars around so I know they were open, he was just standing there looking at us as we got out of the car and started to walk in to look at the plants. Really bad customer service and HORRIBLE attitude towards customers that would have given them lots and LOTS of business, even though it sounds like they don't need it. Good for them. I'm just glad that I know what kind of business they run and will happily NEVER GO BACK! read more

The most amazing selection of azaleas and camellias anywhere plus dogwood trees and they deliver or ship! Go here and not anywhere else... Delightful, friendly, helpful people who know everything about these shrubs and don't mind answering any questions. Great healthy stock and so many varieties and at a good price. It's a really nice to visit and worth the drive and they have a nice way about them - they're kind of old school - so their website just gives they think you need - "care" so they give you care instructions about the plants but they don't spend time managing their site so they can "$ell more"- they spend time on their plants- they have a nice catalogue and you just write them and tell them what you want and they ship it and then you pay them and your plants arrive. They will be so beautiful you could post them in a magazine! read more

Nuccio's Nurseries - Nuccio's - Best Southern California Grower of Azaleas and Camellias - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Altadena, California

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Without debate, Nuccio's Nurseries is a 5 starred business. The intent of this review is to build a Yelp awareness of Nuccio's inside and outside of LA County. Within the horticultural community, Nuccio's maintains a stellar reputation, no rancor or back-biting. Even if gardeners haven't visited this property, there is a distant appreciation of the breadth and depth of the collection of azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons and other shade shrubs and trees grown at Nuccio's in the foothills of Altadena. Before moving into the county, I knew about Nuccio's through a subscription to Pacific Horticulture. The bulk of their business is wholesale. When I checked this morning. Nuccio's website nucciosnurseries.com was "under construction". Read the other Yelps posted for experiences with ordering and delivering from outside of the area. Nuccio's also has an international business, and does not accept credit cards! First off, Nuccio's is worthy of a field trip for the experience of being in a full-on specialized plant nursery properly sited in a splendid spot. Being able to observe the plants at close range growing in the recommended habitat is a way to develop an eye for the well-growing plant. Do I possess the environment for these shade-loving flora? Then, once the plant is in the ground, what is my memory of what the plants looked like here? Of course, what's fantastic about Nuccio's, is that returning for advice is always a real solution. This is an interactive business. Then, there's Tom. Having a one on one with Tom is a priceless experience. Originally when having moved into the county, I drove here with a question about plant identification. When I showed him the leaf, he said, "Viburnum." I said, "Oh, yes!" When I asked him about tea camellias, he showed me what he had grown in pots, that he hadn't had much success. Definitely it is easier to purchase tea, but the gardener always is curious about another's experience. Of course, I couldn't resist. Yes, I purchased a small potted tea camellia, and thoroughly enjoyed watching it beneath the redwood tree for a few years before it passed into compost. Family-owned businesses maintain hours of operation different from the big box stores. You know you're a local, when what I am about to type becomes second nature. Nuccio's Nurseries is closed Wed. and Thurs. all year; closed Sun. June through Dec.---hours are 8 am to 4:30 pm, except early on rain days. Today is a rain day. read more

If you're interested in camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons, look no further. This place churns out award "winning" (Charlie Sheen special) species and special hybrids. I've been here before to pick out a plant or two. Last week, I took my extended family on a hike to Millard Canyon and on the way back noticed they were open, even on a Sunday. We just moved to a property with tons of shade and pine trees so decided this was a good time to do some creative landscaping. Tom, who is extremely knowledgeable, helped us decide on the different species and colors. As soon as I realized, we had 2 carts full of plants. Taking a deep breath, Tom tallied up the damage minus the one plant he gave to my daughter saying, "for my future customer", and handed me the invoice. I in turn handed him my credit card which they do not take. I guess they don't have a phone line going up in those hills, cash and check only. Tom said, go ahead and send me a check in the mail. Really? I love the small town feel right in the middle of Los Angeles. Highly recommended if you're into landscape and gardening. Thanks Tom. read more

Nuccio's Nursery is a ONE OF A KIND establishment that specializes in camellia's and azaleas and has been family run since the 1930's. This is a must see place even if just to walk and browse the acreage of beautiful plants that no other nursery can match. Go during the blooming season come winter for a spectacle you will not forget. The plants are all propagated on site and these guys sell around the globe. The knowledge is beyond comprehension and the education is free! A Southern California treasure! Be sure to check out the Southern California Camellia Society as well as the Camellia Shows around the southland. read more

I echo the same sentiments expressed by others - amazing selection of azaleas and camellias of excellent health and price! Although they only accept cash or check, the proprietor was kind enough to let us mail a check since we had neither form of payment! We had never been there! I honestly thought this type of trust was extinct - what a refreshing business model in this day of putting the buck before true business! The staff members were readily available but not overbearing, which is the way I like it when I am browsing plants. I have no reason to go anywhere else to buy my camellias and azaleas, and I am going to be making space for some more in our yards very soon. read more

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I'm a Senior Caregiver here in Pasadena. It was finally a great day and I decided to take my client out for an adventure! That's how we came upon Nuccio's Nurseries! What a place! The owner greeted us in the parking lot and walked with us pointing out all of the different azaleas, the prices etc! Very friendly & nice! My client was so very happy & excited to be here, she can't wait to come back! The owner also gave my client (yes - gave away) her very own azalea! My client was so excited she cried! read more

Three time here. The owner is super sweet and helpful. I appreciate the time and attention he gives to his customers. I took my puppy with me recently and he was fine with her there off her leash, he was so friendly. I bought two small plants. read more

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I've wanted to go to this longtime breeder/grower of camelias and azaleas for years. Accidentally stumbled on it on way to a hike in the local foothills. Talk about excellent personal service! One on one showing photos of varieties and recommendations. When I went to pay with credit card I discovered they only take cash or check, but offered to let me mail a check when I got home! Who does this nowadays?! Fortunately I had a check with me. The nursery was started in 1935 and is still a family business! Plants are so healthy and gorgeous. Wish I lived closer. read more

A nationally recognized azalea and camellia nursery, this business is on the edge of Los Padres National Forest. They can diagnose a problem from a leaf. They can tell you the best variety for your home - I told them I live by the beach in Long Beach 10 years ago and the azalea variety they recommended is vigorous and thriving. It is the best and the owners grow strong healthy plants - cash or check only! read more

I love camellias for their shape and colors so I wanted to grow them myself. This place is far up a hill but it is worth it to see plants as far as you can see! The staff at the front desk was very helpful as I told him I wanted a light pink camellia. There are photo books containing their own photos of the flowers they grow so that made the choice easier. I bought a gallon of Pearl Maxwell and the man recommended Nuccio's Pearl so I got the gallon of that too. There were other amazing camellias that I wished I had room for. He also gave me a document on camellia care and they also sell bags of Cottonseed meal for their flowers. I came during summer so there wasn't much in bloom but the leaves on my plants were smooth and healthy! For the price of 1 gallon camellias they were around $14 each and the bigger pots I believe were around $28 each, so it's already pretty cheap compared to other places! I'll come back in winter to see their flowers bloom! If you call there and there's no answer the front desk might be out getting a plant, it looked like he was by himself. read more

Extremely helpful and knowledgeable staff. If my new plant s survive. I will definitely be coming back

I recently ordered two camellias from Nuccio's Nurseries. One of the camellias that I wanted was out of stock. I was contacted and given the opportunity to select an alternative. Nuccio's was extraordinarily professional and courteous. The camellias arrived today. Packaging was perfect. Plants are beautiful. Shipping was timely. What a wonderful experience. Thank you Nuccio for growing and shipping such lovely plants! read more

Huge selection of azaleas and camellias. They even had a few rhododendrons. I came for tea plants and was pleasantly surprised to see so many to choose from. Jim was super helpful. read more

Nuccio's Nurseries - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Altadena, California

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This place is amazing, a real gem. They specialize in azaleas and camellias, and they have all different colors and varieties. If you buy a bunch of a certain color, it's great to be able to go back and get the same kind / color (hard to do that anywhere else). Service, quality, and prices are great! read more

So, in the Chronicle Home & Garden section they have a Pick of the Week, a plant that is featured in great and seductive detail, including which local nurseries carry it. Not infrequently my attention is captured by these plants and I tear the article out of the paper for future consideration. A few weeks ago the plant was a Black Magic camellia, a dark, dark red w/ interesting saw-toothed leaves. I started calling nurseries. It was a Thursday, so Berkeley Hort was closed. I called Orchard in Lafayette. The man I spoke to was nice but annoyed because they had none and evidently my call was far from the first he's received about this plant. His annoyance was that the writer hadn't checked whether the nurseries cited had the plant in stock. I called several other nurseries w/o no luck. When I get on a hunt for something I can be a bit dogged. I even checked the web and found some at a nursery in North Carolina, but the cost of shipping the plant was going to be more than the plant itself. Eventually I went by Berkeley Hort and asked about it. They had a 5 gallon one, which would have required me to dig a hole much bigger than I'm capable of. I asked if they could order a 1 gallon one and they wrote down my request. A week or so later I got a call reporting that they were unable to get one from their source. He gave me the name and contact information for Nuccio's. I checked Nuccio's website and they have no way to order online. I called the nursery and spoke w/ a man who confirmed that they had some one gallon plants. I requested two be sent to me. They don't take orders over the phone and they don't take credit cards. The deal is that you write them a note w/ your order, they send you the plants and then bill you for the plants, packing and shipping. I wrote them a note ordering two plants and asking that they be sent to me before we leave for South America March 5th. A week or so later I received a confirmation w/ the shipping date as March 2nd. I called them and said the shipping date was a problem. The man asked when I wanted it. I said right away. He said they'd have to call the agricultural inspector because it was going to Northern California, but that it would go out in a couple of days. I was concerned that the plants would arrive in time but that the bill might arrive after we'd left and it would take weeks before we could pay it. He laughed and said they wouldn't send Guido to pound on our door if the bill weren't paid right away. I loved that. Friday morning we had a card left and then a phone call from our county's agricultural department. They needed to inspect the plants when they arrived. Later Friday afternoon the plants were delivered. I called the architectural department to let them know and they said the inspector would be out today. I didn't even open the box. We left it out on the deck. This morning he came over to inspect them and they passed. He said Nuccio's is one of the best nurseries they deal w/. The plants look beautiful. Tomorrow I'll plant them during a break in the rain. I'm hoping the bill comes before we leave so I can pay them promptly, even if Guido won't be at our door! read more

Worst thing I can say about this place is don't think you can just go for a quick stop. Hands down the largest azalea and camellia collection I've seen! Been looking for C. Sinensis for a project I have been working on. Not only did they have it, but in 2 varieties and tons of healthy plants in stock to choose from. Extremely helpful in really spending time to answer all my questions. Prices very reasonable too. Came for 1 plant, left with 6. This place is a gem. read more