Why don't we all grow an abundance of jasmine in our gardens? I just got back from Rancho La Puerta, the oldest health spa in North America.....south of San Diego, just across the border in Tecate, Baja. Located at the foot of a mountain sacred to the native peoples, the Ranch gardens have been developed over 60 years as one of the great joys of the place. Right now jasmine is blooming on every arbor, draped over walls, climbing pergolas and the whole place is steeped in that warm, glorious perfume. The gardens are genius - drought-tolerant foliage plants mixed with hollyhocks and self-seeding annuals in a cottage garden tumble, with plenty of structures overhead, sculpture, stone walls for a hard edge, and destinations like hammocks and benches and gazebos. The effect is casual, fragrant, charming and because all is organic,it's intensely alive with the rustlings of birds, hummers, lizards......here are a few photos, taken by Debbie Loudon and me....
The top image is the organic vegetable garden that helps to feed the Ranch's guests, the second photo is Skull Rock, a hiking destination high on sacred Mt. Kuchumaa, and the rest are the Ranch grounds.....
