Vancouver BC nursery visits

Some would feel it's a form of torture, to visit a nursery knowing that you can't take anything home with you, and while I certainly prefer to be able to buy, I see it a little like visiting a botanical garden where the plants are still in containers. Plus I find it endlessly fascinating to see what's available at the nurseries in the cities I visit. In that frame of mind I kicked off my long weekend in Canada with a stop at Phoenix Perennials in Richmond, BC.The nursery layout was intriguing. You walk in and are faced with a high wall of shrubbery that moves you along to the right. I imagine this entry area is changed out quite frequently as different plants of interest arrive or move through their life-cycle.
Did I take a photo once you round the wall and can see more of the nursery? No, of course not! I was busy looking at the plants, like this substantial Syneilesis aconitifolia...
Polygonatum odoratum 'Ruby Slippers' (that red stem!)...
and Tricyrtis macropoda (those spots!).
Lots of treasures in there...
And out there! (another curvy wall of shrubbery!)
Callistemon citrinus
There was a nice selection of succulents, including quite a few spikes...

Mangave 'Praying Hands', the first time I've seen this one in person!
Agave bracteosa 'Monterrey Frost', I've never seen such a substantial amount of these offered for sale.
New to me Crassula orbicularis var. rosularis
Good ol'Echeveria agavoides 'Lipstick'
And last up, Aeonium 'Emerald Ice'
My next nursery stop (on Friday morning) was at Art's Nursery in Surrey, BC. I wish I would have paid more attention to how they attached those plants!
I like a double decker planting.
The cactarium did not disappoint!
Trichocereus grandiflorus hybrid (torch cactus)
This had me rethinking the idea of a stock tank pond, after all I love those leaves and the flowers that follow. I wonder if the evil little masked bandits of destruction would bother an oblong tank in the driveway? (the answer of course it yes)
One more shot at Art's...
And next up Southlands Nursery, where the Study Weekend Saturday night dinner gathering was held. This "fantastic handmade zine agave plant from France" could be yours for just $1,495.
I didn't catch the price on this faux bois planter.
...but had fun imagining what I might do with this $1,500 French wine bottle drying rack.
Fun fact; back in 2010 when Schefflera taiwaniana were just hitting the market and very hard to find, I saw my first plants here at Southlands, it killed me to not be able to buy one (due to crossing the border). Now I was able to just walk on by since I've already got a few schefflera (or whatever they're calling them now) growing in my garden.
Nice healthy Pyrrosia hastata.
This luscious hibiscus was blooming in the greenhouse—a great summer patio plant. I might not have been able to refuse it at home.
OMG... I wanted this cart so bad! They had several, it wasn't a display item but rather a functioning nursery cart. I could make very good use of this in my garden...
Finally, Magnolia sieboldii
I was trying to get a decent (in focus) shot and didn't much succeed, but thought it was fun that the white chair showed up in the background.
Do you enjoy visiting nurseries when you travel? I used to think all gardeners did, but have learned that's not necessarily the case.