Coastal Gardens is one of the oldest orchid nurseries in Texas. It has been an orchid production facility in continuous operation since the early fiflies.

The facility was originally built by Red Austin and then purchased by Bill Barfield in the mid fifties. Mr. Barfield, an oil field geologist by trade, was a prolific hybridizer. Mr. Barfield specialized in cattleyas for the cut flower industry and provided blooms for florists around the world. He imported plants such as Blc. Norman's Bay from England and used them as breeding stock in many crosses. Mr. Barfield used selected species plants and wonderful parents such as C. Edithae, C. Bow Bells, C. Henrietta Japhet, and others to produce long lasting flowers on plants that would not only thrive in the South Texas heat but would also bloom repeatedly through the year.

Mrs. Barfield helped in the orchid business and together they cared for hundreds of thousnads of plants. Mr. Barfield was active in the local, regional, and national orchid societies. He participated in the AOS Judging System, achieving the rank of Judge Emeritus in 1991. Mr. Barfield was known for his expertise in the cattleya alliance. Mr. and Mrs. Barfield championed orchid art, commissioning many orchid paintings by Ola Forbes Wickham in the early sixties. Nineteen paintings were completed before Mrs. Wickham passed away in 1963. Lithographs have been made of eight of the paintings in the collection and are currently available.

In the late eighties Mr. Barfield became ill. His condition deteriorated and in the two years immediately before his death most of the plants were sold. In 1999 the facility passed to the current owners along with the few thousand that remained. Repair and restoration of the facility is currently under way.

Coastal Gardens no longer specializes in the cut flower trade. We are currently offering a selection of vintage plants. Quantities of these divisions of wonderful old crosses is very limited. As restoration progresses we will provide a wide selection of orchid plants. Hybridizing continues with a focus on conservation and propagation of quality species plants. Flasks and seedlings will be listed as available.

Coastal Gardens is located near the coast of South Texas in Corpus Christi, 'The Sparkling City by the Sea'. At this time, visits may be scheduled by appointment only. Orders are taken by phone and email.