One of the more delightful acquisitions of our new house in 1974 was a mature garden. Along the western wall was a 10 foot high hibiscus hedge which sported hundreds of bright redblossoms. In the far corner of that western wall stood a double pink camelia, reaching 15 feet into the air. This was especially favored because it matched the bouquet Toby carried in our wedding. In the center of the yard, in a well made for it, stood another hibiscus, this a 12 foot tall tree/bush with yellow/orange blossoms the size of dinner plates. Closer to the house was a spectacular “sea hibiscus” bush as compliment to a wonderfully bountiful Meyer lemon. We thoroughly enjoyed time amongst these gorgeous plants until a whitefly epidemic wiped them all out – and any other hibiscus within five miles. Re-establishing a pleasant garden space continues to this day.
Out front stood a pair of large, Chinese elms, lovely, leafy trees, but eventually removed by the county as a “hazard to traffic”. Their replacement with a single Indian fig laurel has become another chapter in the urban jungle saga. The small plot in front was an unremarkable scrabble of grass and weedswhich were replaced with an assortment of drought resistant native plants and a hedge.
Hedges became a hot topic when the city was pushing its Neighborhood Watch program. Authorities felt that hedges provided shelter for potential criminals plotting a break-in or other unlawful acts. That was a plausible concern buttoo many eyes on the inside of the hedges prevented the assembly of criminals. However, my ow assessment of hedges nearby found that many of my neighbors had a fondness for those leafy barriers, some reaching 12 feet or more. As I got to know more people I found also that there were many delightful gardens sheltered between the hedges and the residences. (Speaking of tall hedges, a trip through adjacent Beverly Hills will expose the extent
to which some people will grow hedges.) Properly designed hedges do provide a degree of privacy on many of our small house lots. I believe that the city has material advice for growing hedges. I put in a hedge some 25 years ago. I would chose a different plant had I to do it over.
In the course of visiting neighbors I discovered quite a few unusual, what architects called ‘specimen trees” behind the tall hedges. This was a contrast to the trees chosen by early city planners to take up space on our streetsides. Ubiquitous giant Indian fig laurel, eucalypts of various forms and the much favored jacaranda, gloriously adorned for a few weeks each year. All imported species, under the excellent care of our4 city arborist, Sam Estrada. At the conclusion of one of my early CERT classes, trainee Angie Beckett told me that she had formed The West Hollywood Tree PreservationSociety. Would I be interested joining?
Over the following years the Society formed the Heritage tree program and worked in league with stater and county outdoor agencies. Angie was adept at procuring grants to make several public service announcements (PSAs) regardingthe value of trees amid the growing awareness of climate change. Just recently, the Luskin Center at UCLA published its very important Shade Map of the US showing the shade produced by trees in hundreds of cities. Trees are the front line in reducing ambient heat in cities. Just recalled conversations with a young man taking a tree inventory – before cityhood. More lost tales.
It’s a generation-long quest, but more and better use of native plants in city would be a wonderful enhancement of our urban jungle.
