Most clients are on the hunt for a small flowering tree while considering a new landscape design. We are all aware of Crape Myrtles, Evergreen Pears and Yellow Bells. While there is nothing wrong with these trees there is another one that I would like to introduce to you today.

The Cape Chestnut Calodendrum capense is a beautiful soft pink flowering tree that loves to be planted in neighborhoods such as Point Loma, La Jolla or even slightly more inland areas. Hailing from coast of South Africa up into Tanzania this tree can will be happy when planted in loam soil without intense winds. This tree will typically grow to about 20’ish feet tall with a slightly more wider spread here in San Diego. It does love full sun and some irrigation during expended periods of heat in the summer.

This tree will add some nice shade and a slight fragrance while demanding very little from the homeowner. If you are looking for a nice sized tree but what something a bit different I would highly recommend you consider the Cape Chestnut tree.

If you are in need of any landscape design services please feel free to call Cleator Landscape Design at 619-917-3644 to schedule a meeting as we would love to assist you.

We all love Agaves for the bold forms, low water use and hardiness they bring to the landscape. It doesn’t matter if your garden is in La Jolla or North Park, the Agave Snout Weevil can and effect the health of your plants. However we need to be on the look out for the Agave Snout Weevil which can decimate your Agave right before your eyes.

When your Agave is under stress from the Agave Snout Weevil you will see signs of deformed overall shape, soft or weak leaves on the tissue, small bore holes, and general lack of plant vigor. When you suspect you have a Agave Snout Weevil infestation you need to soak the soil around the base of the plant with an ornamental insecticide. Hopefully is the Agave hasn’t been too badly damage it may recover and regrow new roots.

To prevent Agave Snout Weevil we recommend treating all your Agave once in the spring and then again in the fall. This should help to protect your Agaves from the Agave Snout Weevil.

If you are in need of a landscape design please contact Cleator Landscape Design at 619-9174-3644

Hello and welcome back to our blog post. I know in this heat gardening isn’t something that we are all to keen to get into but its vital we care for our gardens during times of stress. I wanted to give a few tips on how we can help reduce the stress to our landscapes during challenging times regardless if you are fortunate to live in Point Loma and are enjoying the slightly cooler temps or in Del Cerro where the temperature is much warmer.

For larger areas of the garden look to replace your older irrigation heads with ones that rotate such as Mp Rotators as the can reduce your water usage by up to 20 percent while improving coverage.

Adjust your irrigation, often longer but less frequent cycles help plants grow deeper roots which helps during drought stress.

If your lawn is beyond repair consider replacing it with low water use ground covers or if you must have a lawn take a look at UC Verde buffalo grass. This winter dormant fairly low growing grass will only use a quarter of the water a standard lawn would.

Trees need deep monthly waters during times of excessive heat. Water the trees from the trunk out to the drip line and let them dry out between. Adding mulch helps to hold in moisture while adding nutrients to the soil and suppressing weeds.

If you have a landscape design project please feel free to call Cleator Landscape Design at 619-917-3644 for to speak with our staff about transforming your landscape into something more drought tolerant.