Long Beach Lawn to Garden Tour

Today was the Long Beach Lawn to Garden tour, showcasing the results of the city's program to pay homeowner's $3 per square foot to convert lawn to garden, presumably with drought tolerant plants.  There were 34 properties on the tour, which was from 10 til 2 today, but I selected the nearest 7 and toured with my bike!

The first one on MY list was 320 Argonne Ave.  That would be up the hill behind church. 

The owner was very talkative, and had color printouts of the plants. 

I don't see red kangaroo paw on the plant list, but this looks like it to me.  But the picture is an attempt to capture it in front of white lilac!  A surprise around here. 

Not sure what this is...

Next I noticed some blueberries...

Turning around from here was a challenge, because the hill was steep. 

But I headed back UP the hill to Vista, looking for 4503.

Somehow I got sidetracked and ended up with pictures of a "non-contender".  There were 3 big Spanish stucco's on this block, and I couldn't find any addresses.

This one had sweet peas just flat in the parking strip.  Interesting.

And then I found the REAL 4503 Vista.  This one warranted an extended stay.  The large corner lot was covered with decomposed granite, and the focal point agaves and cactus were outstanding. 

The first thing I noticed was that each agave had a softer "friend" right next to it.  

It turns out this wasn't even planted this way.  The owner relocated the agave, but the rock purslane was volunteer.  As the flowering plants flower, they reseed themselves.  His explanation was that as the wind blows seed, it stops at the big plants.  To a very good effect. 

Agave with cosmo wildflower.

One of the problems with the decomposed granite was run-off after a rain.  He solved the problem by building trenches that followed the run-off lines, and paved them with river rock.  The effect looks like it was planned that way.

Rock Purslane
Mexican Feather Grass

Red Bird of Paradise

Crown of Thorns

Lions Tail

Butterfly Bush

Cosmo

Sea Lavender (what I call Statis)

Perennial marigold

 I guess I didn't get a picture, but I liked the way he had good-sized rocks with a smattering of smaller plants around it.

I enjoyed talking to this owner, who shared that besides butterflies and hummingbirds, he's seen a skunk in his bush, and a coyote strolling past at 9 in the morning.

This was the second owner that said he wouldn't do Mexican Feather Grass again.  It spreads everywhere!

256 Mira Mar

I like the use of planters.  It bring focus and height to the garden.  But then I wonder how much extra watering the pots require. 

A nice grouping with some sort of century plant succulent in bloom.  

Provence Lavender

Sticks on Fire
Agave
Bouganvilla

Next door was very interesting also.

This is what a Mexican bush sage is supposed to look like.

I think these are dracena.  And more feather grass.

I followed Mira Mar north towards 7th street, to avoid too much riding on Redondo.  

That took me to

710 N Newport. 

This one had really grown up from the photo for the tour!  You really had to look to find the garden bench!

This was the one with the interesting driveway design. 

"The  driveway  is  composed  of  saved  concrete  sections  with  decomposed  granite  and  Mondo  grass  planted  to  accent  the  geometric  shapes."  

They had installed pavers and done some planting, but it was all very faint.  Interesting effect. 

These might be treasure flower. 
Or African Daisy. 
Or Blanket Flower,
None were on the plant list.

There seemed to be a big discrepancy between what was on the list and what was visible.

Nice little grouping.

Redbud?

Palo Verde?

Don't see a tree listing on the plant list.

Do you see the garden bench?

This area has gone from full sun to shade. 

This photo doesn't do it justice, but three were two pine cones tucked under the shade. And the bush behind the yellow flowers had a distinctly piney appearance.  Very different for southern California. 

Across Redondo, north on Obispo, west on 8th. 

3119 E. 8th St. 
This was the one with the big wooden fence.

More soft and light against big and spikey.

Now I can recognize Lion's Tail.

They had neat-looking pots on the porch.

Gerbera daisies.

Then down Redondo to the bike shop.  He removed the sticky inserts on my brake handles, and polished off the residue.  Simple!

Turn right (west) on 3rd and here's this little church. 

Seems like an oxymoron, but I guess it's possible. 

This is where I wished I'd noted all the different churches I'd see. 

2556 E. 3rd Street.  

Fountain grass

Solar powered accent light.

A huge Mexican sage on the corner was a big bang of purple. 

 I liked the look of the pots.  

The succulents were interesting.  

A Felt Plant.

Finally!  The plant list says Bronze Sculpture, but I'm guessing it's really a Kalanchoe - Paddle Plant. 

 

Aren't these cute?  

The plant lists an echivera, but not sure these are those.  are them?  ???

 

I liked the ground cover under the tree.

Thyme?
Salvia Terra Seca?

Riding back down 3rd was a treat, back across Redondo to 

304 Loma. 

The strong purple is
Homestead Purple Verbena

I recognize 

Blue Fescue

Double Sunburst Corepsis

Is the brighter yellow monkey flower?

Desert marigold?

But I really liked this succulent looking mounding one.

Autumn Joy Sedum

Not on the plant list.

Note to self: flowering plants need to be deadheaded

Notice the artistic photography!  That's me on my bike!

Agave

More verbena

I think this might be

Red Mirror Plant

 Nasturium Mahogony Red

My last stop.

Back up to Vista, and east on Vista all the way to to the street past Corona.  Vista has been renamed Bike Blvd, and has the big roundy-rounds for traffic.  Very nice for a slow bikerider on a windy day!

Mapquest says 8.4 miles and 38 minutes, but I took 3 and a half hours to do it.