The Story Continues - Part 2

Bougainvillea- Almost synonymous with thoughts of San Diego
Originally from West Africa and South America

Then the building begins.  The sun drenched flat areas, the gorgeous bluffs overlooking ocean, canyon, and valley.  Places were ocean breezes kept the nights cool and comfortable.  Where the conditions were ideal for the native plants to grow were the perfect places to start building.  Personally, I have often dreamed of living in the cottage overlooking the Pacific that is surrounded by lush San Diego native plants with a stately Torrey Pine, but alas that is not part of this story.  

The plants were cleared, the topsoil was stripped, the patterns of erosion, and drainage were changed. The houses were built and then landscaped.  Irrigation, lawns, and all manner of ornamentals. Plants were put back in, but maybe not the plants that were there before.  Those plants didn’t grow fast enough, weren’t showy enough, and were less desirable in front of the model home, and EVERYONE needed the landscaping of the model home!!  What was planted?  Plants that grow FAST!  Plants that grow DENSE!! Plants that COVER SPACE!!    Plants that provide PRIVACY!!  Plants that retain water and densely cover hillsides and “prevent erosion and fires.” Showy plants, bright plants, the plants from somewhere else to make San Diego a “PARADISE.”  The HOA was there to ensure consistency, ensure conformance, and most importantly ensure a Pampas grass by every shared mailbox.  The BUILDERS REPLACED the plants!

A FAST, DENSE, PRIVATE Juniper Hedge, all the rage circa 1970s

The EARLY HOMEOWNERS moved here, more and more people.  The climate, everything grows in the climate!  The possibilities were endless. The people brought their favorite tree, shrub, flower, etc. to remind them a little of home.  Some gardens were well managed, some gardens weren’t.  No judgement, it just happened.  When they realized maybe there wasn’t quite the water they needed, they brought in other plants.  Plants that didn’t need the endless rain of their previous locales.  Plants that could still give a lush green jungle environment.  Plants that grew in the desert, plants that grew on the Canary Islands, South Africa, Australia, South America, EXOTIC PLANTS, plants that in the coastal region would GO and GROW CRAZY!!!

Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)  EXOTIC (AND VERY TOXIC!)
Originally from Japan

To be concluded.....