Designing with SucculentsHow to incorporate succulents and cacti into your garden design
This 3 - Akko dimension in Pasadena , California , was transform from a mess hall into a beautiful garden by Betty and Charles “ Kicker ” McKenny who inhabit in a townhouse side by side to it .
Once a weed - cover draw in Southern California , owned by Caltrans , this place was completely redone by a couple who live adjacent to the garden , everlasting with native kind , a citrus tree grove , and hundred of new plant , create a Mediterranean idyll . Photo by : Betty McKenney .
Originally purchased by Caltrans for building a freeway , the property had become a smoke - cover abandon lot . In 2003 , the City of Pasadena and Caltrans began to conceive about a new direction develop the pot . Betty McKenney suggested a garden and finally , the city and Caltrans concord . ( McKenney tot that it likely helps that her married man , Kicker McKenney , was a former councilman for the territory in the 1970s . ) Together , Betty and Charles McKenney , the City of Pasadena , and Pasadena Water & Power , combine to make Pasadena ’s only dedicated public garden on property hire by the City from Caltrans .
Betty and Charles McKenney spearheaded the instauration of the garden , which was planted during the summertime of 2005 . photograph by : Betty McKenney .
Through substantial fundraising efforts — with about $ 15,000 raise each year from donations and case — and Ulysses Grant from the metropolis and Caltrans , the McKenneys have a budget of about $ 45,000 to $ 50,000 per year , for the garden . And the McKenneys , who are retire , now drop about two to three hour in the garden each day during the summertime and five to six hr each day during the fall through the spring .
They have a team of approximately six to seven volunteers who help in the garden , as well some college students who are pay to aid maintain the garden . Betty call in the garden her " full - clock time hobbyhorse " and the couple ’s website , Arlington Garden , is a comprehensive showcase for their garden , include an iPhone app developed by their Word .
A outpouring impart to the tranquilty of the garden , creating a quiet smirch within an urban setting . Photo by : Betty McKenney .
How long have you had this garden ? How long did it take to get it to its current state?We start with a 5 yr lease in December of 2003 and did readiness and preparation until we started establish in July 2005 .
The retaining walls establish in the foreground were create by Marco Barrantes of La Loma Development using recycled concrete " urbanite . " exposure by : Betty McKenney .
How would you describe the style of your garden?It is a Mediterranean clime garden appropriate for our area . It consist of 25 to 30 " room " where people can issue forth and enjoy nature , take from our ideas , picnic and enjoy the tranquillity of nature in our urban setting .
The garden ’s missionary post is to illustrate the smasher and efficiency of a water - wise garden living in concordance with our Mediterranean clime . Photo by : Betty McKenney .
Did you process with a landscape architect or designer?We worked withMayita Dinos , a landscape couturier . She was relate to us by Jan Smithen , the writer ofSun Drenched Gardens : The Mediterranean Style . We have also partnered withMarco Barrantes of La Loma Development Company , Inc. , who give rise all of the hardscape in the garden with reuse concrete " urbanite . " Barrantes has a Masters in Landscape Architecture and Masters in Environmental Planning .
Wildflowers blooming in the garden ply lots of color and seasonal interest . Photo by : Betty McKenney .
What was most important to you when you protrude be after your garden ? Did you have a doctrine or mission affirmation in brain when planning it?The accent was on drouth - tolerant works and tree .
Our mission is to develop , operate , and care for Arlington Garden to exemplify the beauty and efficiency of such a urine - wise garden live in concord with our Mediterranean climate ; to stage Arlington Garden as a public botanic garden that promotes the art , use , and knowledge of horticulture ; and to provide a shoes for serenity and quiet use in our urban background .
A vernal kitty , which is slopped during the showery season and dry most of the summer , provides habitat for animals and insect . Photo by : Betty McKenney .
Does it have any unusual qualities , such as greenish horticulture techniques , rarefied plants , or a unique location?Yes , we have advisedly planted rare and endangered plants and trees , especially the I identified as crucial in Pasadena . We have a vernal pool ( show above ) , an orange plantation , a desert arena , low - piddle irrigation , solar powered fountain , and valve control .
An orange grove produce citrus that is used to make marmalade . pic by : Betty McKenney .
Do you grow any vegetable or fruits?We have a citrus plantation ( shown above ) and we sell our sweet orangish marmalade made byE. Waldo Ward & Son , Inc.in Sierra Madre to parent money to maintain the garden .
Knife leaf acacia , Peruvian Apple Cactus , and sticks of fire surround a modest statue of St. Francis in the northwest turning point of the garden . picture by : Betty McKenney .
Any picky challenges with this space ? How did you address them?We had plenteousness of challenge , including with the runoff of water . We started with 12 tree diagram and 3 Akko of weeds that had been neglected for 40 years . We now have close to 350 trees and several hundred Mediterranean climate works and what rainfall water we get stays on the site .
A Peruvian Apple Cactus flower is just one of the many of hundreds of new plants in the garden . Photo by : Betty McKenney .
Do you have any best-loved plants in the garden?The native plant were whole Modern to me and I love how beautiful the native plants are . I particularly like Texas Ranger , Teucriums , andPenstemon spectabilis .
In this garden " way " that is have-to doe with to as a South African Fynbos , characteristic plant such asProteas , Gladiolous , andLeucadendronsthrive , since they are not only drought large-minded , but bloom in the winter for much needed color . Photo by : Betty McKenney .
Any deterrent example from your garden?We cerebrate our garden is so appropriate for these times of expensive , special pee and a author for green ideas and using native flora and tree .
Now in retirement , the McKenneys pass much of their time caring for the garden . Photo by : Betty McKenney .
How do you think this garden reflects you and your family?We have volunteered our prison term for seven years and all of our grownup children have contributed their time and talent as well .
One Word is a general contractile organ and built a wondrous garden shed . The other son is aid with the website and works database . And our girl plan our wonderful business identity card , being an expert in letter paper . grandchild have help oneself establish bulbs and succulents .
We all enjoy seeing citizenry occur to impose the garden and leave refresh and surprised by their experience .
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