Nearby

 

A visit to a lovely property nearby, home to a house, swimming pool, and garden.

Behind the house, on one side of the swimming pool, a xeric area with bird bath fountain:

 Earlier in the morning, before sun rose enough to hit the area: 

 
The garden has an interesting layout, near the top of a hill.  The home and front garden are on a flat area adjacent to the street.  Behind the home is a swimming pool and deck on the same level as the home, and behind the pool is a slope with two sets of stairs leading down to another flat, gardened area.  Below the lower flat area is another slope, beyond which are other properties.  The lowest slope has a few more large trees and shrubs, for areas of shade and screening alternating with views of distant hills.  
 
This geography creates a fine mix of flat and slope, all facing roughly south east. 

Slope below pool.

Happy healthy bee-mobbed Rosemary:
The property hosts several very large (50'+) Eucalyptus trees.  These are in the front yard.  The xeric plant area, seen in the second and third photos above, is in the lower portion of this photo: 
The lower flat area has two large airy Grevilleas, 'Long John', perhaps..  There's a pool equipment house supporting the poolside deck behind them: 
Opposite the Grevilleas is a Pomegranate tree that predates the current homeowners.  It has developed a picturesque, rough-barked structure:
The fruits are just as ornamental:
A wider view of part of the lower flat garden, with the Grevillea on the left, and the Pomegranate just out of the frame, on the right: 
An atypical Clivia flower, part of a large clump growing on the slope that leads downward from the pool area: 
Low maintenance Bromeliads, Agapanthus, succulents, and Clivias on the slope: 
The stairs leading down from the pool area, past the massed Clivias, to the lower flat gardened space.  A large Eucalyptus on the right of the stairs, a large Erythrina on the left:
The deck behind the pool is also the roof for the pond equipment room:

The front yard is challenging to garden because of the two monumental Eucalyptus.  Their roots and litter make growing all but shallow-rooted succulent plants difficult.  Bolders have been added for interest where plants simply can't grow:

The front yard foundation plantings on the north, street side of the home, are a mix of Asparagus 'Meyeri', bromiliads, Phormium, and a variegated Agapanthus.  A camellia or two remain from a former owner. 


A walkway, then out from the foundation bed are succulents and stone.  My hat to indicate size.  I'd like similar boulders on my front slope to add contrast and give me a flat place to stand while maintaining plants or pulling the occasional weed:
A Cercis (maybe 'Forest Pansy') has turned gold as it prepares to drop its leaves:
Lovely withe light striking them:
Monumental Eucalyptus are expensive to maintain, but must be maintained.  A tree this size can crush a house, block a street.  Some of them have been removed over the years by the current owners due to pest damage, including borers and for safety reasons.   

The owner would no doubt say the garden is not at its best at this moment, and that some areas are a mess and need work, but we gardeners always seem to say that to visitors, don't we?  

 It was wonderful to visit, refreshing, inspiring, a breath of fresh air in this time of anxiety and worry.  My own garden is not at its best at this moment, and some areas are a mess...

Comments

  1. Yes, all gardeners do say that but it seems truest at the end of our long, hot, dry summer. The Clivia is remarkable and I'm impressed by all the healthy bromeliads growing in the ground. One can never have too many large rocks - I could use some really big ones myself. As to the Eucalyptus, while removing our 60-foot tree was painful at the time, I'm pleased it's gone.

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    1. Yes, at the end of summer everything looks tired, but why does it seem as though visitors always visit right before or after garden perfection, and never during? ;^)

      Incredible boulders for sale in AZ, but its getting them back here that's the issue.

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  2. Looks like a wonderful garden, to me! You are right that we're always our own worst critics.

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    1. We need to give ourselves a break in that regard.

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  3. What a beautiful property! And your photos really do it justice. I love the mix of the front yard foundation plantings--great combinations! And the pomegranate reminded me to pick some up at the store soon. They are so tasty!

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    1. The morning light was really good. That is what makes for good pictures.

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  4. I like the both color and shape of Asparagus, but then I read its too vigorous, even thuggish, so I wonder how it's being kept in line: that front foundation bed (Asparagus, bromiliads, Phormium, variegated Agapanthus) is masterful.
    Gorgeous Eucalyptus trees! I hope they remain pest free.

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    1. Extremely thuggish, yes indeed, though this clumping version is somewhat less so. Reseeds a lot, too. Can be grown as a houseplant, according to the always valuable San Marcos website.

      The Eucs though regularly cared for unlike most Eucs in the area, show signs of borer infection.

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  5. I like the both color and shape of Asparagus, but then I read its too vigorous, even thuggish, so I wonder how it's being kept in line: that front foundation bed (Asparagus, bromiliads, Phormium, variegated Agapanthus) is masterful.
    Gorgeous Eucalyptus trees! I hope they remain pest free.

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  6. Looks like a lovely garden and quite large. Despite the heat and drought it still seems quite lush. How very nice to actually be able to visit someone elses' garden. Season is almost at an end here but lots of bulb planting to get ready for the next.

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    1. It was a treat to visit! I see it once a year or so, and it's always a treat.

      Bulb planting, I need to get out there and do some myself. :)

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  7. Love that shot with the Asparagus 'Meyeri' and bromeliads! Looks like a lovely place, although I think those eucalyptus would keep me up at night.

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    1. That Asparagus though too potentially aggresive for me also looks fabulous with Agaves.

      The Eucs are regularly checked for safety reasons, but, yeah...they could do some damage if they fell.

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  8. It's actually refreshing to see a garden that isn't as stuffed to the gills with plants like mine.

    Those eucalpytus, though, they scare me a little bit.

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    1. Some plants seem to do better crammed in together, and others, the opposite. I like both kinds of gardens--though more open seems more natural in a drier climate.

      Yes, those trees are monumental!

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  9. Thanks Hoover Boo for always giving me a fresh look and inspiration to keep-on keeping-on!

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    1. We all need a fresh looks at the familiar, no?

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