UCR Holly Tree from Dad's collection planted by Oscar Clarke

On the 12th of July Oscar and I took a hike up to the UCR Botanic garden to check on a a very unusual Holly tree( Ilex Latfolia,Trajo) that he planted some 5-7 years ago in the gardens which he acquired from Dad's collection....We were both pleased to find it doing quite well and is approx 10-15 feet tall now ... and will do better now that the very large weed trees have been removed and it can breath and get some real sun! this Holly tree will grow to 60 ft tall...the mature one on the Farm property is in the back north/west corner and is approx 40ft tall… we studied many things that lovely morning and enjoyed ourselves immensely..I learned quite a few new plant names from Oscar i just wish that i could remember them as well as he!

Oscar was pointing out how the wall was leaninga nice sitting spot in the Gardens

A view for the top of the Gardens of the Campus and Jurpa hills in the background i believe...

Oscar was pointing out how the wall was leaning

Here is a picture of the mature Holly Tree on the Farm property... it is in the back north/west corner and is approx 40ft tall…standing between the Eucalyptus and Jacaranda trees...

A Kindred Spirit!

Not all fun is had on the Farm....Memorial weekend, my dear friend Odette from Santa Rosa in Northern Calif came to the Farm for a visit..... while strolling through the lovely neighborhoods of Clairmont on our way to have lunch in the Village, we stumbled across a Kindred Spirit....Ms. Barbara Beretich who emerged from her magical home and garden and much too our delight, invited us in to have look around....a gardener's dream!! Low and behold, she is an accomplished Artist too boot! I Felt funny to snap too many pics but let me just say that is was charming! she has been there since the early 70's and Art abounds in every corner and detail as does the amazing flowers in her front and back gardens. When entering Barbara's home I could not help notice that it shared many design style likenesses to Sam Malof's home. Well, as it turns out they were great friends, his picture included in the very large collection on the fridge!!! what a small world...The resident curators are 2 very sweet and attentive cats! wow! what a real and special treat! hey, think Barbara would like to see the Farm?  Humm... have to ask her. You go Barbara!!! Thanks for the tour! Barbara's front yard the side of Barbara's garden wall

Odette in Clairmont ...i cut off the head of the giant topiary Elephant...oops!back at the Farm, the Trumpet flowers are exploding!!!