Thursday, May 30, 2019

Photo - Mat Rush (Lomandra longifolia)

Here's a great ornamental grass for San Diego.  Soft to the feel but tough enough for most soils, Lomandra reaches about 18 inches tall and wide.
Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's garden in University City

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Photo - Outdoor kitchen with a view

How's this for a view at the BBQ?
Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design,
taken at a client's residence in Rancho Santa Fe

Monday, May 27, 2019

Photo - Shade structure

This lovely wooden shade structure has 50% shade coverage.
Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's residence in University City

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Photo - Butterfly Bush (Buddleja sp. 'Hot Buzz')


One of my favorite butterfly plants is the Hot Buzz Butterfly Bush.  This beauty will reach 5' tall x 5' wide.  To get the biggest blooms, cut this plant down to 12 inches in the winter and you will be rewarded with butterflies from April to August.
Photos by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's garden in San Diego

Monday, May 20, 2019

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Photos - Sacred Heart Meditation Garden





I have been designing gardens for 14 years and this is one of my favorites.  This public garden was designed for Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Coronado, California.  It is located at 650 D Ave and is open to the public during daylight hours.  It features a guided pathway through the stations of the cross.   The garden also has 3 focal points. One is dedicated to fallen veterans, one to children who returned to God too soon and one to Mary, the mother of God.  Plants and landscape materials are used symbolically throughout the garden.
Photos by Doug Kalal

Photo - California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum)


This California native is also a great hummingbird plant.
Photos by Doug Kalal

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Photo - Rock Retaining Wall

This rock retaining wall was built with 8 tons of Baja Cresta boulders by Dandy Landscape Construction.
Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's residence in Rancho Santa Fe

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Photo - Rock Purslane (Calandrinia sp.)

This tough ground cover succulent explodes with pink blossoms in the spring.
Photo by Doug Kalal

Monday, May 13, 2019

Photo - Glass Fence

Here's a great way to preserve the view and protect against the wind.
Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's residence in San Diego

Friday, May 10, 2019

Photo - Pavers



These are examples of the 3 most popular types of pavers sold at RCP Block and Brick.
Photos by Doug Kalal

Monday, May 6, 2019

Photo - Preen

Preen is great way to stop future weeds.  Combine this with 3" of mulch will help keep a landscape looking great.
Photo by Doug Kalal