This past summer I made a trip to California and had the pleasure of spending an afternoon at the San Diego Botanic Garden (then named The Quail Botanical Gardens) with two of my favorite people. Of course, I love botanic gardens, but I really adore seeing plants from climates other than my own (Austin, TX, zone 8a). Southern California has such a mild climate that it’s possible to grow incredible specimens without a real threat of freeze or harsh weather. I’m happy to share with you some pics I took on that trip–my only regret is that I didn’t write down the botanical names of some of these plants, so we’ll have to be happy with simply having a feast for the eyes today! Of course, if anyone identifies any of these plants, you’ll get the Yet-To-Be-Named-Doorprize!
This bromeliad (Portea petropolitana) was so captivating, it was one of the first pics I took. I’ve never seen it before, certainly not in these parts. I love the flame red branches tipped with those purplish buds. Thanks to Dave Ehrlinger, director of horticulture at SDBG, for identifying this one for me!
This waterfall was one of the most beautiful sights at the Garden–so lush and tropical with a hint of perfectly clear blue sky peeking through. Heaven.
This was right around the children’s garden–notice the wide paths and absence of spiky or prickly plants so kids can run wild and not hurt themselves. If you’ve reared scampy ones like mine, you’ll appreciate this feature! I also love the rows of grasses and the leaf-prints in the walkways. 
Anyone know what this is? I love, love, love that tangerine color in the garden. I had pity on Dave Ehrlinger and didn’t ask about this plant; I figure I should keep my botanical requests to one per month.
I’ve become so fascinated with green roofs of late–the structural integrity, the use of space, the plant selection, the thought of surrounding oneself in green–amazing. This one was on a structure near the Children’s Garden, if I remember correctly.
Looking at this was liking having dessert before dinner. Or maybe dessert in place of dinner. The red grass ( I thought it might be Japanese bloodgrass, but now I’m reconsidering) just commands all the attention here, but the addition of the flowering perennials, the evergreen backdrop, and the boulder placement just blows me away. I usually use grasses en masse or as accents, but this one beautiful specimen scoffs in the face of that design notion.
Golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) is one of my favorites. Of course, I like all the expensive plants. Sort of like how I made a beeline for the $110 Hunter rainboots at Nordstrom’s today, bypassing the knockoffs. I’m thinking this is, oh, about several thousand dollars in Golden Barrel. I love the differing sizes, though–like they got all cozy-like and had golden barrel babies one after the other.
This was the grooviest cactus garden–the clumps of Mammillaria bocasana all over the place almost look like rocks from a distance. Must try.
There was a wonderful bamboo grove towards the end of our tour–it’s hard to see, but people had carved their initials and names into the culms (“KC” in that center one). I’ve kind of gotten into bamboos this year due to a big project we started over the summer, so this grove was particularly interesting to me. I dig how they can look either Zen, mod, tropical, minimalist or lush–a very versatile plant!
The last area on our visit was a quirky little topiary garden, and being from Texas, I was partial to the ivy-covered mariachi band! They didn’t play very well, though; the trumpet player was a little sharp. I hope you enjoyed the pictorial tour–check back soon for photos from my trip to the Self-Realization Fellowship Retreat & Hermitage in Encinitas, CA. Everyone now, assume your lotus position and get your Ohm on!
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Thanks for the tour!
The tangerine colored mystery plant looks like lion’s tail (Leonotis menthifolia). I grew it in my old garden, and it required absolutely no care and bloomed all summer. I actually saw it growing wild in Tanzania a few years, which was a treat. The red grass looks too big to be blood grass. Could it be a phormium?
a few years ago, I meant
Thanks Pam! I knew I could count on you for some good IDing! I was kicking myself after I left the gardens that I got so caught up in picture-taking that I didn’t take any notes. Live and learn!