2011 Sea Cliff Back Yard

 Here's an update  of the previous posting.  You can see that the purple Loropetalum hedge has filled in nicely along the driveway.  The 'Rodgers Red' grapevines blanket the arbor and follow the fence.  Their vigorous growth requires regular pruning to maintain just a few main branches. 

At the back of the garden is a hedge of Loropetalum x Ralphii.  This wonderful evergreen shrub is about 3'x8' and has very fine texture (tiny white flowers in spring).  It is flanked by Fremontodendron.

2009 Sea Cliff Back Yard

This is a design I did a few years ago that started with a meandering flagstone path that eventually became a green path irrigated by sub-surface irrigation.  Sub-surface irrigation is drip that is layed below ground instead of on top (requiring a flush system to prevent roots from clogging the emitters while the lines sit full).   This eliminates overspray and uses less water.  Curbstone stairs are meant to replicate the historic S.F. curbstone at the clients request.  A nearby former property of Ansel Adams provided the inspiration for the stair/paver combo set into the lawn path.   The property is lined with a 90' redwood fence and ends with an 8' tall arbor with 2 levels.  Initial plantings look minimal here.  Stay tuned for update photos!

October Rains

Periodic rains are beginning, and with it come crucial garden assessment decisions.  Left to their own devices, pests will overwinter and multiply come spring.  Easily noticed are the Ants marching in the house, not so easily noticed are the ones that are herding aphids.  Some species of ants "farm" aphids, protecting them on the plants they eat, eating the honeydew that the aphids release from the terminations of their alimentary canals. This is a "mutualistic relationship".  A similar relationship exists with scale as well.  If this infestation persists the health of the plant will surely fail.  One solution is a product called "Tanglefoot", which is a sticky resin you put in a ring around the base of the infected plant (especially check those citrus!).  This prevents the line of ants from ascending the affected plant.

Other pests such as spider mites can be kept in check with this organic concoction; 2 tbsp dish soap, 2 tbsp white vinegar in 1 gallon of water (non-edibles can use 1 tbsp of Murphy's Oil Soap as well).  Regular application deters the pests, while a simple hard spray with water once in awhile helps as well. 


More to come on Pest Control!