Tassajara Nursery, Danville

In 2005, DanvilleExpress.com profiled Matt Akabane, whose family has run Tassajara Nursery for more than 30 years. At the time, he was preparing to appear on HGTV's Landscape Smart. On the show, he helped revitalize a dull patio with the flora of a French garden, a wine-barrel fountain, and a flagstone patio.

This creative approach to landscaping shines through at the family’s nursery, where a wide range of shrubs, trees, and tropical plants all jostle for attention, their leaves making a hushing sound in gentle breezes. Organic fertilizers keep grasses lush, and bonsai specialists can help clients select a new, tiny tree from several species available. They also give tips on how to trim the plant and encourage cookie-baking elves to colonize it.