Photo - Chiapas Sage (Salvia chiapensis)

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's garden in La Mesa

1.5 Million Page Views

Last month the 2 Minute Gardener reached 1.5 million page views!  Since I started this blog 7 years ago, I have been amazed at the number of hits from all over the world.  Just last night, gardeners from Ukraine, England, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia and Australia checked out the blog.  Thank you to all of you out there!

Photo - Flagstone Patio

This flagstone is set in concrete and mortar to provide a beautiful and rustic look.  

Designed by Great Gardens Landscape Design.

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's residence in San Diego

Photo - Portable Firepit with Furniture (and dog)

This cozy set can be ordered from Costco (but not the dog).

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's garden in San Diego

Photo - Horsetail plant in Pots

Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale) is an invasive plant, but good for pots.

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at client gardens in Carlsbad and Rancho Bernardo

Photo - Water Fountain with Crocodile

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's garden in Encinitas

Photo - Oriental Meditation Water Fountain

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's garden in Tierrasanta

Photo - Rectangular Water Fountain

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's residence in Encinitas

Photo - Sleek Water Fountain

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's garden in San Diego

Photo - Tropical Patio

This tranquil patio use to be dead lawn. Now it is a personal paradise.  

Designed by Great Gardens Landscape Design.

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's residence in El Cajon

Photo - Semi Dwarf Mineola Tree

This semi dwarf Mineola Orange tree is 10 feet tall x 8 feet wide.  I planted it 15 years ago and it reached its mature size in about 5 years.  Each year it produces about 200 sweet, seedless oranges that are great for juicing.

Photo by Doug Kalal

Photo - Pool Cabana

Photos by Doug Kalal

Photo - Decomposed Granite Patio

This lovely patio was made from decomposed granite, color - Desert Gold.

Designed by Great Gardens Landscape Design

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's residence in La Costa

Photo - Retractable Shade Structure

This modern style shade structure gives the owner flexibility by mounting specialized fabric on wires.

Designed by Great Gardens Landscape Design.

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's residence in San Diego

Photo - Paver Medallion (Antique Cobble)

This paver medallion comes in kit with all the pieces precut for easy installation.  This particular style of pavers is called Antique Cobble.  Designed by Great Gardens Landscape Design.

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at client's residence in Coronado

Happy Valentine's Day!

This fragrant beauty is call Mr. Lincoln.  It is a tall Hybrid Tea Rose.

Photo by Doug Kalal

Photo - Hydrangea

This beautiful cut flower grows best with a little afternoon shade here in San Diego.

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's garden in La Jolla

Photo - Country Manor Keystone Pillar

Photo by Doug Kalal

Photo - Bocce Ball Court

This Bocce Ball court was made with pressure treated wood to form the edging as wells as level the perimeter.  The court material is crushed oyster shells.  The material on the perimeter is 3/4" crushed decomposed granite, color - Desert Gold.  The pathway material next to the court is regular decomposed granite, also Desert Gold.

Designed by Great Gardens Landscape Design

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's residence in Rancho Bernardo

Photo - Raised Jacuzzi with Polished Concrete Edging

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at client's residence in San Diego

Photo - Travertine Tile Versailles Pattern

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's residence in Rancho Bernardo

Photo - Paver Patio and Country Manor Keystone Wall

This lovely patio was made from Stone Top pavers from RCP Block and Brick.  The seating wall was made from Country Manor Keystone.  The color for both is called Gray Stone.  Wall cap units were used to make the steps.  These pieces were set in concrete for stability.

Designed by Great Gardens Landscape Design.

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's garden in Tierrasanta

Photo - Succulent Garden with Saltillo Tile Patio

Designed by Great Gardens Landscape Design

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's residence in Hillcrest

Photo - Ipe Wood Fence

This modern wood fence was made with Ipe wood, a beautiful, dark hardwood that is much more resistant to insects and water damage than pine.

Designed by Great Gardens Landscape Design

Photo by Doug Kalal

Photo - Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)

This wonderful perennial comes in various colors from pink to purple to white.  The regular Butterfly Bush can reach 8' tall & 8' wide.  The dwarf varieties are about half that size.  Both butterflies and hummingbirds love this plant.  The Butterfly Bush looks best if you cut it down to about 2 feet tall in the winter.

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's garden in Rancho Bernardo