Photo - Moreton Bay Fig Tree (Ficus macrophylla)

This massive fig tree has been a centerpiece of Balboa Park

for nearly 100 years.  When I was a boy, children were allowed

to play in the tree and climb all over the branchs and aerial roots.

Arborists realized that the tree was slowly dying from all of the human

interaction so a fence was erected around the canopy edge to keep

humans away.  The tree has thrived so much that the fence has been

moved out to keep pace with the expanding canopy size.

Note my 2 sons standing in front of the tree for scale.

Photos by Doug Kalal, taken at Balboa Park

Photo - Arabian Lilac (Vitex trifolia)

This drought tolerant shrub has foliage that can vary from

purple to silver.  Arabian Lilac is not a true lilac, although

it does have small fragrant flowers and reaches 5' tall x 5' wide.

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at Balboa Park.

Photo - Mexican Blue Hesper Palm (Brahea armata)

This drought tolerant palm is a native of Mexico

and noted for its stunning foliage.

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken in Balboa Park

Photo - Queen Palm with a holiday reindeer

Queen Palms are the work horse palm tree here in San Diego.

They are easy to grow and cheap, eventually reaching heights

of 30 to 40 feet.  Here are some Queen Palms in Balboa Park

with a friendly reindeer in the foreground.

Photo by Doug Kalal

Photo - Concrete Stairs with Copper Hand Rail

The concrete for these stairs had the color

pre-mixed before pouring so that it would

last longer than staining.  The railing was made

from copper pipe that was heated and bent

to match the curve of the stairs.

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

Photo - Canary Island Date Palm and Santa Claus

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah and Best Wishes for a

wonderful New Year to all my readers. 

 My family and I went for a walk in Balboa Park today

 where it was a wonderful 72 degrees.

Here is the outdoor Santa from the park

 with a large Canary Island Date

Palm tree in the background.

Photo by Doug Kalal

Photo - Pink Muhly (Mulhlenbergia capillaris)

For my 400th post I decided to go back to the plant

in a client's garden that was the source of my very first post.

This ornamental and drought tolerant grass produces

beautiful seed efflorescences every fall.  This photo is from the bloom

at my client's house back in late October of this year. 

Compare this photo to the one on the right side of this page. 

That photo was the very first photo I put on this blog

and it is still the most popular of all the plant photos I have posted.

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

Photo - California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera)

This is the only palm tree native to the state of California. 

It is a close cousin of the Mexican Fan Palm.

This photo was taken at Anza-Borrego State Park,

where this grove of palm trees are growing in a canyon

hidden in the hills above the Los Cabesa camping area.

Photo by Doug Kalal

Photo - RCP Block & Brick

Here is the address of the RCP design center in Santee along with RCP’s web page.

RCP Block & Brick

8755 Magnolia Ave

Santee, CA 92071

(619) 448-2240

www.rcpblock.com

Photos by Doug Kalal



Garden Resources - RCP Block & Brick

         I love designing landscapes with Stone Top Tumbled Pavers.  The colors and textures of this material are far superior to concrete for only a little bit more money.  Whenever I present a design using pavers I like to suggest to the client to come with me to the RCP Block & Brick Design Center in Santee.  RCP has 5 San Diego County locations: Escondido, Encinitas, Santee, Lemon Grove and Chula Vista.  The Santee location is the one with the amazing display of over 100 different types of outdoor materials.  At the design center, homeowners can get different ideas for pavers, retaining walls, stone veneers, flagstone, landscape pebbles, BBQ kits and even artificial turf.

          RCP is a treasured local company that has been in business since 1947.  All of the great materials that homeowners see at these retail outlets come from right here in San Diego County.  RCP operates 2 manufacturing plants, one in Santee and the other in Otay Mesa, so you are also supporting local jobs when you shop at RCP.   Here is the address of the design center in Santee along with RCP’s web page.

RCP Block & Brick

8755 Magnolia Ave

Santee, CA 92071

(619) 448-2240

www.rcpblock.com

Photos by Doug Kalal