A Plant Collector's Nursery Tour: 27,000 Taxa! - Ep. 376

Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery has been a plant collector since he was 5 years old-and never lost his love and enthusiasm for plants of all kinds. I visited Tony at his nursery in Raleigh, NC and I think many viewers of this channel will vibe with his philosophy on making plants available to those who love them.
Check out our tour of Tony's Juniper Level Botanic Garden on our sister channel, ‪@FlockFingerLakes‬ here: • Tour 28-Acre PLANT COL...
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[@summerrayneoakes]

You can see the full tour of Juniper Level Botanic Gardens, which is the botanical garden arm of Plant Delights Nursery on our sister channel @FlockFingerLakes here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYSQdYKIbtOUo5I

[@socalnad]

I love the long, slow walk through the nursery videos you make after the tours. ❤

[@kristilee671]

What an incredibly kind, intelligent and interesting man. It’s always interesting to meet people who have always known what they want out of life. And plants too! Perfect.

[@Dracobear13]

In the 90s I had ma y long telephone conversations with Tony. He is kind, intelligent, talking plants with him taught me so much.

[@Milquetoast702]

He somehow made me understand who I am when he said I am not a people person but a plant person 😂

[@marthamiriam8983]

I have not heard no one say it out loud-publicly, the prospective of sharing extinct plants with “normal people” This is the TRUE LOVE FOR NATURE. I am so stoked to know more about his work!

[@alantower9659]

Lucky enough to have known Tony since before Plant Delights. Even when very young, he was a serious plantsman. Combined with Hans Hansen, the duo has brought many important plants into trade. That drill method was a bit inspired by "Rossizing" We were all big into hostas back then, and before Hans and Mark revolutionized TC (esp. Hans), we chopped the hosta crowns with sharp knives to release dormant buds. The drill is related, but an improved and more controlled method. Well done my inventive friend. I'm lucky enough to have many of these plants in my Tucson garden.

[@protographium5938]

The rarest species there is Tony Avent var. spectabilis! What an exceptional person-the wild imagination, youthful spirit, insane passion for plants leaves me in awe. And a rare wit in this business-'50 Shades of Gray torture table'-are you kidding me! So inspiring and after watching the video from your Flock channel I have so many new ideas for building new habitats on my property (the crevice garden is stunning!). One of the top episodes IMO and loving the fun vibe between Tony and Summer a joy to watch!

[@LostInThisGardenofLife]

OMG you were right here! I live nearby and I’m always going to Plant Delights. I’m so lucky to have such an amazing place minutes away. ❤

[@surgeinc1]

I’m envious!😂

[@angela86753]

What a delightful nursery he has built. The love and care he puts in shines through 🧡🌿

[@trayvixk4642]

Bless this man for his dedication. As someone who deals with international shipping, I know how many months/years it can take to get the requirements to ship to ONE country. The fact that they do it all over the world means they do it for the love and not to make money. God knows it's not worth the labor cost and that's why American nurseries can't do it.

[@pranitachuwan9385]

As a Horticulturist, I strongly agree and appreciate his view on endangered species' propagation and inclusion of folks outside of the academia. This is what my family believes and have been practicing for generations. I would like to continue it too! Also, what a wealth of knowledge he has. I feel refreshed!

[@lkawaiteacher]

The more people who grow the plant, the more likely it is to continue into the future.

[@janecurtis5726]

Tony’s vision of saving plant species is truly altruistic. Among all the character attributes given to him I would add humble. His nursery has always been one of the most amazing! I was fortunate to hear him speak at a Horticultural magazine symposium years ago.

[@AndeeKiss]

The world needs more people like Tony!!!🥰❤

[@oskarLaiho]

My question is why aren't there anyone like this man in europe?? Where are all of europes rare plant collectors.

[@ajjamung1314]

This man’s description of his neural wiring and being at odds with his dad + fascination with plants really resonate with me! I really thank you all for sharing this beautiful conversation!

[@sashastarshanti3599]

This was just magical... The tour, hearing Tony talk about his life and plants, and seeing some of his amazingly beautiful specimens! And, his "50 Shades of Grey bench!" I loved your conversations and being able to feel like I was there with you. Thank you, Summer, Tony. This was a truly enjoyable experience.

[@Prickly-Brew]

Being a succulent lover educated just enough to get me in trouble would like to say thank you for a video that I found very educational.

[@marciajackson6874]

'I have not been hungry enough to try one' LOL..Tony is the best..Very knowledgeable and witty!

[@lkawaiteacher]

Seems Summer wants to eat or taste everything no matter where she goes.

[@southofthesticks]

WOW ! 🤯 And what a GREAT man ! 💜💚💜

[@mevh6601]

I absolutely LOVE Plant Delights! Their plants are so big and healthy and packaging and shipping is uniquely sturdy and careful. I could spend a gazillion dollars there every year. I've never met Tony, but his catalogs are hilarious and I love how conscious he is of ecology and the world. I really admire him as a business owner.

[@jennyromano6398]

Love this guy! He knew at 5 yrs old that plant’s were his passion.

[@wandashaw3551]

Mr. Tony is my plant spirit animal. ❤

[@michellewolf2659]

This guy is awesome 😊 it’s cool when you seem to meet kindred spirits and people who are so thoughtful. Let’s share and not hoard these wonderful plants!

[@careyjohnston4176]

By far and above my favorite video and content of anything I have seen in years . Tony Avent is one of the most important people in botany. ❤❤. Thank you so very much Summer for giving us this opportunity. 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@nancytorricella4040]

What a wonderful tour , his passion and dedication is out of this world.

[@Michael-ln7us]

Great man, what amazing work him and his team are doing.

[@LeTangoNoir]

Aw, we barely got a glimpse of all the cool cultivars he's created! Totally love his approach to conservancy via consumerism and helping to make "rare plants" more accessible to the masses! I hope you'll go to one of his open houses to shop and bring us along before it's all transferred to the school.

[@richardm239]

PLANTS ARE POWERFUL ,ILOVE THAT ,THEY ALSO FEED SOUL

[@jamescarr2156]

20:00 might be controversial, but Tony Avent is right. 22:40 should be said louder for the snobs in the back. Conservation of what is left is very important, but growing and cultivating should be open to the public!

[@gjsoriano1]

Hooray new video from Summer. Thank you for the regular updates. Really loving all the plant tours.

[@산림치유]

You have a passion for collecting plants.

[@MrTheWaterbear]

Wait, this is the Plant Delights guy?! Man, I wish he had some of the amazing Amorphophallus konjac varieties he has archived on his website :) The archive function is so awesome but so painful, knowing there is no longer any way for me to get those plants.

[@deannahaworth7666]

What a wealth of knowledge! Love listening to Tony Avent !

[@joet6619]

Wow Tony's passion is truly unmatched. I would love somewhere and someone like him in the UK to go to and pick my own. Truly Truly amazing!

[@jonstfrancis]

I love this tour, Tony has a gorgeous set of plants! and is so passionate about it. I have an Agave american Variagata that I took when I was 16 as a pup from a mother plant at a garden I was working in and now I'm 49, and this plant produces its own pups that I'm happy to give away, so these plants are worth looking after! Thank you Summer and Tony!

[@2prettyfunnythings736]

I live in Greenville SC. Have ordered several plants from Plant Delights. Love all the varieties and would love to make an open house, like you I may need to rent a uhaul 😂😊

[@izaihpaponette4366]

I'm obsessed with the Agave genus. This was enjoyable.. and right up my alley.

[@judymckerrow6720]

Seems like a VERY knowledgeable man. I still think his shipping prices are too high, add a few extra dollars to the plants themselves so I can decide whether or not I want to pay the price of the plant . I know my logic is probably not reasonable to a lot of people. 💐💚🙃

[@surgeinc1]

Tony’s place is so magical yet informative! The drill bits and Ginsu knife process. Packing and shipping the plants to arrive like a gift. The greenhouses so organized and tidy.. Wonderful video and heading to the Plant Delight Nursery website now!💚🌿

[@raquelita172]

Pure joy listening to Tony, one of the best episode on plants, love, care and education, thank you all !!!

[@pattivermeersch7348]

Wonderful tour and such an interesting man and place…Definitely a plant candy store…

[@marthamiriam8983]

Summer Rayne Oak! I just want to applaud you for your great work and your camera man.

[@jeddrob2542]

This is just amazing ❤

[@olliepinetree82]

Fantastic video, Summer, Sander and Mr. Avent! And yes, mindblowing prop technique...who'd of thought? Your content is excellent and I look forward to whatever comes next.

[@christopherkenyon1256]

What an interesting video

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

Sometimes it's just better to let the professionals grow the plants and get a memberships to visit the gardens as often as you can. Depending on your living situation of course. Being in townhome with no land and no practical window space.... The moral of the story is simple. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@TheeChocolateGoddess]

This was a really great one to watch! Now I am off to Flock for the follow up!

[@lkawaiteacher]

Same here.

[@lkawaiteacher]

Oh and off to the website to buy plants.

[@everthe_optimist]

This is a wonderful video. I learnt so much, not least because he was happy to share his knowledge. What I particularly enjoyed though was your mutual respect for one another. You spoke and listened without competition, just passion. Brilliant

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thank you Ms. Summer and Sander. I was hoping to maybe see more of the other plants they offered, maybe next time ? 💐💚🙃

[@summerrayneoakes]

You can check out the second tour on our sister channel @FlockFingerLakes here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYSQdYKIbtOUo5Isi=3RMDOJBoo_oRAutc

[@judymckerrow6720]

@@summerrayneoakes I did watch both 😊💐💚🙃

[@siarlbychan]

Wow. I had no idea you were featuring this plant nursery. I have yet to visit it and should have by now. When I go home to visit family I stay with a brother in Hillsborough and have other siblings in the area. Grew up in VA a few miles north. I live in far west Texas but order plants from this nursery. And what a fantastic website. The power drill to the agave heart...I had to sit down for a minute. But mind-blowing technique to say the least.

[@DebraProctor-pw6tn]

This video was very informative. It also made me feel very relaxed when when I watched it. The variety of plants is always interesting. I look forward to the next video.

[@Tminus89]

Ah yeah, that video you already warmed us up to at Flock :) Lovely

[@marshaharwood8883]

Great video!! So interesting

[@wilfredwilfred5974]

I love him, he’s so funny… officially@old”😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@moradmoradi8518]

Thanks!

[@philliesphillips6346]

I've seen tutorials that do that with barrel cactus to make it create pups or offsets. I've never tried it but been very curious about it

[@Alwaysherethere]

I really enjoyed this video! Thanks Summer!❤😊

[@loriedmundson782]

Omg!❤❤❤

[@Prickly-Brew]

10:40 Great information. Thank you

[@OnlyRemedynz]

Love these. So insightful. Keep the videos coming, can’t get enough.

[@phunk8607]

good luck shipping to Australia

[@Tminus89]

Magnificent that they found a way to produce more Agave by basically operating on it, perhaps something that could help in preservation if spreading through seed isn't enough? EDIT: commenting before finishing the video isn't ideal, could have expected you to mention the latter haha

[@ceciliapleshakov4626]

Summer, yes agave stalks are eaten. One of the landscapers I work with said it is common in Mexico. If you are interested I can ask him how they prepare it. I seem to remember him saying it is cut just as it is emerging. But I forget exactly what he said about the preparation.

[@matteomarasco8655]

I totaly agree with the ex-situ plant conservation for everybody, more people that can keep a rare plant. I had the fortune of getting started a Welwitschia mirabilis from seed, I feel like it's a good way for contributing positively to the future of that species. Great video, cheers from Italy

[@kingjoekur]

I was here last year! Awesome

[@hjkhkjgjhk5710]

Love it

[@nuthatch24]

agave heaven❤

[@judymckerrow6720]

So I should take a drill to my mangave if I want it to continue to grow or put out pups ? 💐💚🙃

[@kellydahlin9212]

Wow

[@apextroll]

I was gifted a mangave with offsets. I separated them out then the mother plant got spider mites and bloomed. Then mice ate the offsets.

[@StillTheJackyBear]

TY...

[@gasperkanoni8838]

You may go to olt nurseries

[@lhspirited]

Their minimum shipping charge for 1-6 plants to the west coast is $75. ugh

[@grannyplants1764]

That is amazing!😱💰

[@loreleyyyy]

As always, love these videos. Just a small thing, sometimes it feels like you're interrupting a bit mid sentence the other person and they don't always seem to finish what they're saying.

[@laurenjohnson5880]

🤩💚

[@christinelarkin8054]

Wars and roomers of wars!

[@wiwingmargahayu6831]

crime pays but botany doesnt youtube channel

[@sdqsdq6274]

lol , still waiting for them to do a colab

[@grannyplants1764]

Years ago Tony’s catalogs were such a treat, the covers were wicked funny,and the selections of Hosta and Arisema were amazing. I have not seen a catalog in quite a while, time to do some research…Thank you so much Summer, Sander, and especially Tony…for a not people person you are a joy to listen to! 🪴💚🤗. Summer, Talk about deer eating asparagus family plants- Hostas are like crack for deer 🦌