A sort of homecoming

THE GARDEN FANATIC

“Home is where the heart is ... “

-- ANGELA CARTER

“I hied me off to Paso --

And all along the pleasant way,

The morning birds were mad with glee,

And the flowers sprang up to see.”

-- WITH APOLOGIES TO LOUISE

CHANDLER MOULTON

The trip to Paso Robles was undertaken with some urgency. I

received a call that my friend, Georgie Van de Kamp, had fallen ill.

I took the message seriously as Mrs. V. was to celebrate her 96th

birthday the following week. A homecoming, so to speak, was in order;

I had designed her garden nearly 15 years earlier, and had been

absent for a few years.

The road to the north was eventful. California poppies and lupines

blazed brightly over the Grapevine, while overhead, hawks and ravens

soared in search of their breakfast. A few miles from Mrs. V’s home,

the newness of what had become of the past, collided with my memories

-- vast acreage of vineyards and homes covered the rolling hills,

where fields of native grasses once provided nourishment for my eyes.

I paused to briefly ponder my return and answer questions about

gardening in May ...

Q: What is the origin of May Day?

A: May Day originated from the fertility festival of Flora, Roman

goddess of spring. It was traditionally observed in England with

dancing around the Maypole.

Q: What can I grow under my tall eucalyptus?

A: The smothering and toxic effect of eucalyptus leaves and the

tree’s demand for food and water can create problems for most plants.

A shade-tolerant grass (like St. Augustine), which is heavily

fertilized and watered, will work, as debris can be easily raked off.

English ivy is often used, but handpicking of litter is required.

Q: Hello. Do I need to do anything special for my lawn?

A: Lawns need regular mowing. Remember to set the mower higher as

the weather warms. Your lawn will respond favorably to monthly

applications of fertilizer throughout the summer. Scotts Turf builder

or Best Turf Supreme are good choices.

Q: What flowers can I use that won’t grow taller than 12 inches?

A: I would suggest lobelia, ageratum, dwarf marigolds, alyssum,

portulaca or phlox for the sunny days of May and beyond.

Q: Plantman. What do you know about Mother’s Day?

A: Anna May Jarvis conceived the idea of an annual day to honor

mothers after attending a memorial service for her mother. She

inspired President Wilson to proclaim the first national Mother’s Day

in 1913. The second Sunday in May has become the biggest business day

of the year for U.S. restaurants and florists.

Q: My plants and trees are growing too fast. How can I slow them

down?

A: Plant selection is important. Fast growers should have been

avoided. You can slow them down by reducing fertilizer and watering

just enough to keep plants from wilting.

Q: Why do the blooms always fall off my avocado?

A: The tree may still be immature; drainage may be poor; over

watering or feeding before the fruits set may have been the problem;

or heavy rain or wind may have physically caused flower drop.

The gate to Mrs. V’s home was open in anticipation of our arrival.

The poplar trees still reflected off the pond and the stately oaks

framed the entry -- exactly as I envisaged 15 years earlier.

Catharine and I walked, hand in hand, to the front door. A caregiver

led us to Mrs. V., who whispered, “So good to see you.” And so it

was; I’ll cherish that memory forever. See you next time.

* STEVE KAWARATANI is the owner of Landscapes by Laguna Nursery,

1540 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. A “local” guy, he makes his

home with wife, Catharine Cooper, an artist and writer, and their

three cats. He can be reached at (949) 497-2438, or by e-mail at

Landscapes@ln.coxatwork.com.