Sustainable landscapes can come in many different sizes, shapes, flavors and colors. The quirky homes that line Cuvier St. in La Jolla embrace an eclectic culture while pushing the envelope for a truly sustainable way of life. With a strong focus on less irrigation, natural mulching and delicious ground covering; we can all step back and take a look at how easy it is to transform any landscape into an organic haven of treats and beautiful natives.
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Cruising by you might not think anything out of the ordinary was taking place within the streets of La Jolla, but if you stop and smell the roses (literally) you might find your senses on overload. Drought tolerant Dymondia is the first thing to greet your feet as you approach this particular buzzing landscape. Dymondia is a great ground covering and alternative to grass in between stones or as a barrier from your plants and the curb. Acting as a barrier it is very drought tolerant and can handle most soil conditions. Moving along the landscape beautiful vibrant yellow flowers attract your gaze. These yellow oleander trees are more than just a beautiful face. They also act as a great natural screen that adds bursts of color to your sustainable landscape.
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Zipping along down the street you might notice another great landscape that begs to be questioned what is inside. Meeting you upon arrival you will find bottlebrushes acting as a natural screen and fence for the entire yard. Sneaking a peek between the brushes you will find a plethora of native plants and ornamental coverings. Perennial kale lines the beds of veggies that have been created by found objects like branches from trees.
If you have a keen eye you might be able to recognize a familiar tree among the natives, the delicious avocado. As an avocado is getting its start it is very sensitive to sunlight. Find a shaded area by your house that will allow for some sunlight to gaze through as the avocado begins to mature. A great way to shade avocados is to plant natives around the tree, CA sunflower, white sage, and other bushing plants provide enough shade so the avocado tree can begin to build its roots. Make sure that your avocados trees are in well drained soil as they are susceptible to root rot. This, however, does not mean they are drought tolerant – without proper watering, specifically in our hot climate they would not do well.
Next time you’re taking a stroll down your favorite street take a look to see what native plants are hidden from your gaze and imagine the possibilities for your own space. Wouldn’t it be lovely to grab a lemon from your backyard or smash up avocados to make delicious guacamole from your own tree?