Whether you have a large yard or a small garden, there will be plenty of inspiration sprouting for those on the Bernardo Gardeners Club’s annual spring garden tour.
The self-guided tour will be held rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3. There are six featured gardens — three in Rancho Bernardo, one in Poway and two in Rancho Peñasquitos.
One is at the Rancho Bernardo home of Pam Dunlap, who designed her garden with the assistance of a landscape contractor and created it mostly in 2020.
“I provided … three pages of design notes, three pages of design comments and a seven-page plant list,” Dunlap said. “He provided me with the plan of my dreams and expertise to get it implemented.”
The garden includes water-wise plants, cacti, grasses, grevillea shrubs and unique succulents, which Dunlap researched while belonging to various horticultural societies. There is a large waterfall with recirculating water, a gazebo and hidden butterfly garden on the back slope obscured behind a wall.
“My house faces south-southwest, so the front gets full sun most of the year except next to the house,” she said. “The back is north facing and is in shade up to the trees during the winter. The back can get 10 degrees hotter than the front in the summer.”
Dunlap said she began gardening in 2001 after she retired while living in San Luis Obispo. She moved to San Diego in 2016 and bought her RB home in 2018. After its interior was completely renovated, her focus turned to transforming a bare yard into a garden oasis.
Mostly-self taught, Dunlap said she had a few goals for her garden. She wanted it designed so she can age-in-place, accommodating her potential future need to use a walker or wheelchair. She also wanted it to be Mediterranean drought-tolerant and waterwise.
“I’m not a big fan of California natives for various reasons … (so) most of the plants are from the four other Mediterranean regions of the world — Mediterranean, Southwest Australia, Chile (and) Southwest Africa. I also have plants from New Zealand.
“Although parts of the garden are not drought-tolerant, most of the front, back and hillside gardens are,” she said.
Water sustainability was also important to Dunlap. In addition to permeable hardscape in front, she has included four 256-gallon water tanks that store rain runoff from her roof. The tanks are plumbed to overflow into the 6-foot deep working swale created in the front of her property with gravel and the brow ditch in back.
“I rarely have overflow onto the sidewalk and the swale serves to replenish groundwater in the front main garden,” she said.
Dunlap also has two pondless water features. The one in back has a 600-gallon underground tank that stores the recirculated water used in the waterfall. A smaller feature has a 30-gallon barrel.
“Both serve to eliminate mosquitos, plant growth and other problems associated with above-ground ponds,” Dunlap said. “The gravel in the tanks … filter the water.”
Visitors will also want to note the special gardens. The east side hill has been transformed to create “Roy’s Succulent Garden,” a tribute to her late husband who loved succulents and introduced Dunlap to them. There are also specialty succulents under a covered area that Dunlap encloses with shade netting when temperatures get too hot or cold for the delicate plants. There is also an area Dunlap has dubbed the “Blue Succulent Garden,” a name inspired by the pottery assembled for that area.
As for other special areas, there is an Aeonium garden that also features Echeverias and Sedums; a butterfly garden with native milkweed, butterfly bush and other plants that attract butterflies; and her newest area, the shade garden on her property’s west side.
“I love learning about plants … and it keeps me active,” Dunlap said. “I just love creating.”
Dulap said she agreed to welcome visitors to her garden because she enjoys seeing what other people have created in theirs.
“I like that the Bernardo Gardeners tour mostly features tract-home gardens or condos because it gives people ideas for what they can do in their own garden,” Dunlap said. “Some tours feature massive landscapes, but this is a more common (person) tour.”
As for other featured gardens they are:
• The Browning garden in Poway covers a half-acre that was renovated to serve as a backdrop for the homeowners’ daughter’s wedding and remains a peaceful and serene environment.
The front garden has been planted with aloes, succulents, sedum and other water-wise plants for the area’s arid climate. An inviting pool in the back is surrounded by fruit trees, a dragon fruit vine that has wound its way onto the arbor, a designated area for growing vegetables, a potting area and numerous specimen plants. Color is added through glass flowers that were made by the homeowners.
• The Cashion garden in Rancho Peñasquitos features a charming Mexican-inspired patio garden. It was imagined to provide a relaxing place for the retired homeowners to enjoy.
The garden features water-wise plants and succulents, all encased in built-in raised containers and Talavera pottery. There is also an elevated garden area with a gazebo and mosaic tile bench, along with numerous roses and fruit trees. Before leaving, be sure to notice the potting bench that has interchanging soil containers built into the table. Everything about this patio garden says “this is my little bit of heaven here on earth,” according to its description.
• The Cornell garden in Rancho Bernardo has an espaliered wall (an ancient agricultural practice where branches are tied to a frame) that directs visitors’ eyes to view the rest of this large, bright and colorful garden.
It is filled with water-wise plants, dozens of colorful bulbs and some cacti interspersed throughout. There are also interesting topiary, birdhouses, numerous whimsies like a little green stone caterpillar and totems designed and made by the homeowner. In the front is a bicycle that serves as a container for trailing pink geranium plants. There is also a purple potato vine pruned into a heart shape and dozens of red geraniums and other plants throughout the front yard.
Complimentary refreshments will be served at this garden.
• The Dickinson garden in Rancho Peñasquitos depicts the artistry and creativity of the gardener who considers “any time in the garden is a moment of joy” and wondering “what can I do next?” according to its description.
Upon entering, visitors will notice the colorful chandeliers and so many plants, such as violets, arctotis, ferns, milkweed, stag horns, jade and succulents. A lot of creativity has been utilized through containers not typically used for plants. Even the stepping stones and tile walkways were made by the homeowner. There are also colorful ceramic totems and little vignettes throughout that provide charm.
• The Teagno garden in Rancho Bernardo is hidden on a side street and backs up to a golf course. One section is a pool area surrounded by numerous plants, delightful statuary and sculptures, as well as colorful wind spinners.
The garden is planted with seasonal bulbs, grasses, succulents and perennials. Being mindful of the environment, the homeowners have added wildflowers to attract birds and bees. They’ve also found a space to incorporate a seasonal vegetable garden with all the favorite vegetables and herbs this family enjoys.
The left side yard of this two-part garden is planted with citrus trees such as tangelos, navel oranges and kumquats. While this garden has a lot going on, it also is designed to provide a peaceful and tranquil space for the family and their dog to enjoy.
Master Gardeners will be at this garden to answer questions.
Tickets — $30 per person — can be purchased through May 3 at Walter Andersen Nursery, 12755 Danielson Court in Poway; El Plantio nursery, 1322 San Pasqual Valley Road in Escondido; or online through BrownPaperTickets.com.
On tour day only they can also be purchased at 15230 Penasquitos Drive in PQ or 12858 Abra Drive in Rancho Bernardo with cash or check only.
The tours are not handicap accessible, flat shoes are required, no pets or children under age 12 and there is no restroom use at the homes.
There will be complimentary refreshments; unique crafts, jewelry and plant vendors at some locations; and Master Gardeners available to give expert advice.
For more details, call 858-405-2051 or email [email protected].
