The Coastal Gardener:

Way back in the ’70s, in what seems like ancient history today, I figured I’d be a landscape architect. I was enrolled in college, studying landscape design, irrigation design, etc., and immersed in soil science, botany and lots of horticulture. While in school I was working part time at a successful Newport Beach landscape architecture firm, doing plot plans and some junior drafting.

Sounded good. I had loosely laid out a long-and-winding career path. I’d finish college, get my landscape architecture degree, and then do a couple of years as an intern at another firm. After that I would apply to the states Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Board, take and pass the Landscape Architects Registration Examination, pay my fees, get my landscape architecture license, do five more years with a firm and finally become an American Society of Landscape Architects member. Hmm. Ten or 12 years down the path and I would be a full-fledged landscape architect.

Never happened. Gardening got in the way. The path became overgrown with plants, and I lost my way. A part-time job at a Costa Mesa nursery took me down a new path and changed my career plans forever.

But one person who didn’t change his path was Paul Comstock. Paul is not just any landscape architect, but one who works at the highest level of his craft.

Paul was in the nursery two or three times this week. So between selecting almost $20,000 of plants and pottery for a big landscape project in Malibu, I had a chance to talk to him; a bit like an altar boy talking to the Pope.

For nearly 20 years Paul Comstock was the director of landscape design for Walt Disney. His design influence spans the globe. During his Disney tenure he was responsible for creating innovative landscapes at every Disney theme park and resort worldwide. To accomplish this, he has made botanical expeditions to more than 50 countries. During these travels he collected rare and hidden wonders of the plant kingdom, to authenticate the environments he was creating. From Himalayan peaks to equatorial jungles and expansive deserts, Comstock’s explorations have made him widely known as one of the most renowned horticulturists in the world. He estimated he has planted nearly 20 million trees and shrubs during his storied career.

Among his most significant accomplishments, Comstock was the chief landscape architect and designer of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a world-class park in Florida that has recreated the natural beauty and wonder of African and Asian environments. The project, which Comstock spent 10 years of his life perfecting, showcases a vast horticultural collection from his worldwide expeditions.

Comstock was also the principal behind Disney’s Hong Kong project, including the resort, hotels, a regional park, an arboretum and the newest Disneyland theme park. His vision and influence is seen throughout the Disney resorts and theme parks in Paris and Tokyo. Locally, Paul redesigned large portions of the original Disneyland and led the design of both Downtown Disney and California Adventure in Anaheim.

Outside of his Walt Disney work, Comstock has designed gardens for private residences across the country and around the world, including landscapes for the Los Angeles County Arboretum, Universal Studios in California and Florida and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Two weeks ago Paul stood at the American Horticultural Society’s Virginia headquarters, the recipient of the national Landscape Design Award. Now, he is standing here, in Newport Beach, selecting plants, contrasting their textures, combining their colors and creating yet another world-class landscape.

Like a well-designed garden path, the path to landscape greatness is often unclear, not seen at first glance. The path may be overgrown or obscured. But if one continues down the path, somewhere, out of sight, around a corner, lies a reward; either an emotional reward or a tangible reward. Congratulations, Paul Comstock: You not only walked the path, but designed it as well.

Ask Ron

Question: I read somewhere that staghorn ferns can be given bananas as a fertilizer. Is this true?

Jim

Newport Beach

Answer: Generally staghorn ferns are fed moderately with an organic fertilizer that is high in nitrogen, such as fish emulsion. Another good trick, that I do periodically with mine, is to place a banana peel (peel only) behind the staghorn, between the fern and the board. Or you can press pieces of the peel between separations in the fronds, but as near to the roots as possible. As the peel decomposes it slowly releases a dose of nutrition, especially potassium.

ASK RON your toughest gardening questions, and the expert nursery staff at Roger’s Gardens will come up with an answer. Please include your name, phone number and city, and limit queries to 30 words or fewer. E-mail stumpthegardener@rogersgardens.com, or write to Plant Talk at Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, CA 92625.

RON VANDERHOFF is the nursery manager at Roger’s Gardens, Corona del Mar.