Polyphagous shot-hole borer beetle

A new beetle/fungal complex was recently detected on avocado and other host plants in Los Angeles, Orange,  San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties.  Photo shows symptoms to look for on the trees. Contact Steven Smith Landscape, Inc. for a consultation.

"The two fungal species are  Fusarium euwallaceae and Graphium sp., which form a symbiotic relationship with a recently discovered beetle that is commonly known as the polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB, Euwallacea sp.) (Fig. A). Together, they cause the disease Fusarium dieback (FD). When the beetle burrows into the tree, it inoculates the host plant with the fungus (Fig. D), which is carried in its mouthparts in a structure called mycangia. The fungus attacks the vascular tissue of the tree, blocking the transport of water and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the tree, and eventually causing branch dieback. The beetle larvae live in galleries within the tree and feed on the fungus.  FD has been observed on more than 110 different plant species in California, including many species common in urban landscapes and on such agriculturally important species as avocado, olive and persimmon." From Akif Eskalen PhD, UC Riverside www.eskalenlab.ucr.edu

ASLA Workshop on Bioswales and Bioretention, featured speaker: Chris Cutler

Chris Cutler from Steven Smith Landscape, Inc. will be one of the featured speakers, on the subject of Bioswales and Biorentention. Free event, Mesa Community College, 03/14/14. For more information and to download the flier: http://www.asla-sandiego.org/events.html

Heritage Garden Christmas Tree

The Heritage Garden Christmas tree fully trimmed.  Steven Smith Landscape installed and maintains the park in the City of Escondido, at the corner of Grand and Juniper. Photo credit: Debra Moore

 Merry Christmas to All!

Christmas Tree Lane 2013

We attended (Thank you Steve!) the Annual Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego's Christmas Tree Lane event held at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido.  The event  raised over $72,000 for the BGCGSD, and featured 10 designer decorated holiday trees, a boutique, luncheon and fashion show.  The theme for the afternoon was "Vintage Glam Wonderland."  Guests were able to get some of their holiday shopping done, while having a great time in one glorious afternoon of fun, food, fashion and champagne. 

Lucky Gigi won one of the gorgeous wreaths that were raffled off!

Heritage Garden

Another perspective from today, of Heritage Garden Park in the City of Escondido, at the corner of Grand and Juniper. Steven Smith Landscape, Inc. installed and currently maintains this park.

Meanwhile, stay tuned for photos at the park of the completed Christmas tree with all the trimmings!

Heritage Garden Christmas Tree

 Today we stopped by Heritage Garden,  the park Steven Smith Landscape installed and maintains in the City of Escondido, at the corner of Grand and Juniper.  This park is an ongoing collaborative project and the beautiful Deodar tree was donated by Evergreen Nursery and use of the lift courtesy of G. Weir .  Rosemary Duff Florist was on hand to get the trimming underway!  We plan to stop back in a day or two to get photos of the completed tree in all its splendor.

Our own  Debra Moore and Gigi Golden-Smith with some of the shiny "tree bling"

Consider the Cyclamen for Your Holiday Plantings

The holidays are right around the corner and we get a lot of requests for winter color changes for entryways and beds that speak to the season. Poinsettias are one logical choice, but a beautiful alternative is the Cyclamen.  A mix of the red and white varieties are perfect for this purpose.

Cyclamen, a tuberous perennial,  with orchid-like flowers, is a genus of the Primulaceae or primrose family.  They have large heart-shaped leaves and are available in many colors and bi-color combinations.
Cyclamen are surprisingly hardy as outdoor winter plants.

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