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Tel: (619) 291-4065     Fax: (619) 574-1595   
Email: phil.bergman@junglemusic.net

Nursery Location: (Do not send mail)
450 Ocean View Ave, Encinitas, CA 92103

Open: Sat:  9:30AM - 4:00PM  Mon-Fri:  10:00AM-3:00PM, please call first to make sure we are there. Sun: Typically closed.

Welcome to Jungle Music Palms and Cycads
Southern California Palm and Cycad Nursery Tour and Our History

Being a nursery that is growing more species of palms and cycads than almost anyone in the country, one might think on dropping by the nursery that we've just always been this big and that we've always been at our present location in Encinitas, California.  But, our present location is not where it all started.  

The Beginning of Jungle Music
Our origin, like with so many specialty plant nurseries, began as a "backyard nursery" in 1977 back in San Diego.  In the early to mid-1970's, one could not easily find rare species of palms and cycads.  In 1976, I remember driving 120 miles to Los Angeles to buy a Pritchardia from a fellow who got seeds in Hawaii.  That's the way it was back then.  The local plant nurseries didn't even know what a Pritchardia was.  Well, to satisfy my own desire to get new and different plants, I began contacting people from all over the world.  There was no such thing as emails and it took extensive phone calls and letters to reach fellow plant enthusiasts.  This led to many new friends and acquaintances.  I began importing plants and seeds from all over the world.  And, a passion 

for the plants was growing.  As seeds germinated and plants grew, I found that I had way more than I personally needed.  So, in 1977 we sold our first plants and formally became a nursery.  Our inventory grew and so did customers coming from all over the Western U.S. to purchase rare species.  As time went on, we realized we needed more space and a more convenient and accessible location for customers.    

About the Nursery Location

In 1994 we conducted a search for the perfect location for our new and expanded nursery.  This led us to the coastal town of Encinitas, about 25 miles north of San Diego.  It had ideal weather and was very centrally located for people from both San Diego and Orange counties.  And, like so many flower and plant nurseries in Encinitas, it was neatly nestled in a residential area.  It was like an oasis among homes.  So, our new address became 450 Ocean View Ave, Encinitas, CA.  We kept our office, computers and servers, and germination operation in San Diego, but all plant sales would be in Encinitas.  Just off the freeway, we felt our new location was perfect.  We're about 6 blocks from the beach and definitely have a "coastal influence".  The big "move" took place in 1995.  It took about ten semi-truck loads to move all of basic plant stock to Encinitas.  From that, we began an even more active program of germination and importation.  And, the inventory grew from 10,000 plants to our current 250,000 plants.  We presently offer about 1000 species of palm trees, cycads and other other tropical plants.  This includes everything from seedlings to large, landscape ready plants.  Some of our material, especially old cycads, we've been growing for over 25 years.      

What to Expect at the Nursery

When customers first visit our nursery, they are amazed to see the vast array of plants that we sell.  Most people are accustom to seeing the limited selection of five or six species from their local depot stores.  Well, there's a whole world of different palms and cycads that can be grown.  And, we offer most of the species that will do well for you in Southern California. With a collective knowledge base of over sixty years experience between our sales people, we have helped tens of thousands of customers find plants that really help give them a garden of distinction.  And, this is usually with species that they've neither seen or heard of before.  We love it when people come in and say "I want my garden to be different than everyone else's".  This is music to our ears.  Out goes the stale format of a Queen Palm, a Pigmy Date and a Sago Palm.  In comes palms with red emergent leaves, blue foliage, colorful crowns, and different leaves.  They try cycads that can either look like palms, look like ferns, or look like nothing else on this planet.  And, the combination of both palms and cycads is a natural fit.  They are just gorgeous together. This is why we specialize in both types of plants.           

Why Our Nursery is Different from Others

Most nurseries and chain stores do not propagate the plants they sell.  They merely buy in material or broker plants from distant areas, often out of state or from tropical areas.  Unfortunately, such imported plants are not as sturdy as locally grown material and take longer to acclimate to our local weather.  The majority of our plants have been either germinated by us or grown by us from small seedlings.  We grow what we want to grow, not what's offered by someone else.  We select the finest species that have proven themselves to be desirable plants for Southern California.  We have received hundreds of thousands of seeds from all over the world and have an active, pro-conservation propagation plan.  If you go to a nursery and don't see any little plants around, the chances are that this nursery is only selling someone else's plants.  With an active growing program, it also gives the opportunity for anyone to buy our plants as we carry more affordable smaller plants and grow them into more expensive, landscape ready larger material.  And, there are so many plants to choose from.

In order to offer a wide array of species, a nursery by necessity must do a lot of seed germination and plant propagation.  This starts with getting the best available legal seeds for germination.  Once obtained, seeds are  germinated in large flats or community pots.  These are containers with lots of seeds and are removed once a leaf or two appears.  Once a seed germinates and gets a bit of size, it is typically transplanted into a "band" container (3" x 3" x9") or a similar pot.  From there it grows into a one or two gallon container, then to a five gallon, and finally to a 15g container or larger.  For most species of palms, producing an average 15g plant takes about four to five years.  Some are quicker and unfortunately, many are much slower.  Cycads are definitely slower and it can take a decade or two to get a good sized plant in a container.   

We are a Family Owned Business

We have our regular staff for daily operations, sales, and propagation.  But, one of my dreams was that perhaps one of my children would someday help me with the nursery.  Everyone knows how kids nowadays are way too busy to get involved with plants.  I didn't develop my keen love for them until I was well into my twenties.  When my children were still in elementary school, I began teaching them about plants.  And, sometimes we'd all get together and pot up little plant seedlings.  We took trips together to tropical areas and all three of them came to love the plants.  Well, in 1998 my youngest son, Jesse, joined us on a full time basis at the nursery.  His interest and knowledge exploded.  Most people who have visited us have come to know him quite well, and typically ask specifically for him on their return.  My two other children, Paul and Virginia, now how their own professions but continue to assist the nursery from time to time at our Sales, Website or advertising.  So, you can see that Jungle Music has grown because of contributions from all of us.         

Comments from Jesse Bergman about the nursery and his enthusiasm for palms and cycads

Jesse: As my father mentioned before, I have been with Jungle Music for the past ten years.  Initially, I started working at the nursery to make a living and help my dad.  Within a few months, I became aware of new species and the striking difference between all the plants.  I came to realized that it wasn't just my dad's crazy hobby, but rather there was something different and special about all these unusual palms and cycads.  Admittedly my first love was cycads; there was just something about their prehistoric look that interested me.  From there I became an avid reader, pouring over any book I could get and paying special attention to people who knew more than me.  As time went by,  I became more and more adept at the culture, taxonomy, identification and general knowledge of both palms and cycads.  Although I am busy with college presently, I have gotten the "bug" and now have a personal collection of both palms and cycads.  My time with Jungle Music has bequeathed me a life long passion for these rare species.  My acquired knowledge has allowed me to help others create gardens and to become avid plant enthusiasts themselves.  When you visit us at Jungle Music, you will see row upon row of rare and exotic species.  With a little time maybe you too will become enthralled with the world of these wonderful plants.

What's at the Nursery

We have grown and expanded over the years.  Our nursery (overall) is about 3 acres in size.  Plants are arranged from smaller to larger.  We have over two miles of plant display tables and walkways, so you never know what you'll see around the corner.  We typically grow plants up to 24 inch box size as this is the maximum size that people can easily move with a dolly or plant without heavy equipment.  Larger plants can be obtained when needed.  But, remember that many species are quick growing in the ground and a 15g plant may soar over the house in just a few years.  The thing that will immediately impress you is the vast array of species offered for sale.  To someone just beginning, it is quite overwhelming.  But, just as you go to your local store to buy clothes and see lots of designs and colors, it is the same way with palms and cycads.  There are hundreds upon hundreds of species that you can grow.  And, this is one of the things that makes it so much fun.  Did you know that we offer over 300 species that do best in shady locations?  And, that we have dozens of species that really have "blue" leaves?  Or, that we have species that can grow to heights above one hundred feet?  Or, that we have cycads that can live for thousands of years?  Nature has provided us with the most magical assortment of unusual plants for the garden.  Your appreciation and love for your own garden will blossom.         

Do you have to know everything before you visit?

Typically, when you visit a nursery you anticipate that you'll be the one asking the questions.  You'll see lots of things you don't recognize and feel like you have to ask a thousand questions so that you can get your bearings.   Don't be surprised if, on arriving at Jungle Music, that we are the ones asking "you" the questions.  That's because we're trying to find out your growing conditions and what you are trying to accomplish.  Questions like "Where do you live?", "Is this for sun or shade", "what type of soil do you have", "Are there height limitations?", or "Are you trying to hide an ugly garage or an unwanted neighbor?" are typical.  All this guides both of us to the perfect selections for your garden.  You then look at the plants, select those you like and we load up your car or deliver them promptly.  This guidance is something we offer every day to our customers.  And, if needed, we can sometimes be hired to do a more comprehensive design layout for your garden.  But, please don't feel like you have to "study up" before you come.  It's a lot quicker for you to merely drop by and let us guide you.  We'll educate you and show you to the best plants for your locality.  In some cases we can even give you referrals to planting services.  But, if you want to do it yourself, we can teach you the best way to plant and care for your new plants.     

Knowledgeable cultural advice

Selecting the right plants for your needs is critical.  How many times have you gone to a nursery and left thinking that you knew more about the plants than did the person helping you?  That is usually not the case at our nursery.  We pride ourselves in giving accurate and knowledgeable cultural advice and in offering you high quality plants right for your locality.  If someone at your local chain store says "Sure, you can grow Coconuts in Southern California", think twice because this is a near futile challenge in Southern California.  And yet, many local chains sell thousands of Coconuts in Southern California every year.  Outdoors, they in time just become garden mulch.  Or, a clerk may tell you "I don't know" and to "go on the Net" because he just doesn't have answers for you.  Daily we get calls from frustrated customers who know nothing about what they purchased or how to grow their new plants.  Hopefully, after visiting our nursery, you'll have a good idea of what you bought, how to grow it, and the conditions each plant likes.  And, if you forget, we are just a phone call away to assist you.               

Why our plants do well

We are positive that no nursery around offers the vast array of species that we do.  But, we are equally proud of the fact that our plants are typically locally grown and not imported "wimps" that will melt with our local colder and drier weather.  And, because of our excellent conditions and growing techniques, our plants are top quality and beautiful as well.  We don't pamper our plants.  All have seen winter temperatures as cold as the 30ºs F or lower.  So, when you take them home, they have a "sturdiness" that recently imported plants simply don't have.  Over and over we hear customers saying "I always come back because your plants do so well".  It's true; they do grow well. All you have to do is give them the conditions they want and offer sound cultural care.       

Why our customers continue to visit our Nursery

Because of all these factors over the years, our Nursery has developed a very loyal following of customers.  This is because customers notice that our plants do so well in their gardens and we have such a great selection of species.  Our typical customer, by survey, returns five to ten times.  And, we try to give each and every customer the same professional assistance when visiting.  And, as you grow new species, you'll find you develop an interest in the plants like you've never had before.  It's more than landscape; it becomes fun! Customers tell us how they now really enjoy their gardens; how they love looking at their yard and coming over to the nursery to pick up "just a few more plants".  You'll be showing your friends your new species.  You'll be pointing out the colored new leaves, the clean green trunks and that spiny blue cycad.  You'll be pointing out the towering Fishtail Palm that was just planted a few years ago.  But, most of all, you'll really love what you have accomplished.  We hear such stories all the time.         

There's something for everyone

Like no other nursery around, we specialize in different.  If you are just looking for the cheapest common Queen Palm around, we are not your nursery.  In fact, we grow very few Queens.  This is why there are chain stores.  But, if you want to really get excited over new and different plants, then maybe we can help you.  In addition to the the vast selection of palms and cycads, we also grow many Alocasia, Colocasia, Philodendron, Heliconia, Pandanus, Cordyline and Ti, Croton, ornamental Musa (banana), Schizolobium, assorted Aroids, and many other tropical companion plants. 

Please visit us
Please take this as an invitation to visit our nursery.  We are always at the Nursery on Saturdays, and typically there Monday through Friday. However, during the week you should call first to make sure we're not away on deliveries.  We really enjoy helping customers and making new friends and watching their gardens grow.  A real sense of satisfaction occurs when, over the years, a customer just beams with pride about his now gorgeous tropical garden.