Unique landscaping project transforms Encinitas home
- by Karen Billing
- The San Diego Union Tribune
- April, 2024
Van Slyke Landscaping recently completed a huge renovation at a two-acre Encinitas property, planting over 338 different species including large specimen trees and fully grown plantings. No space on the property went untouched—the large variety of plants and trees cover and complement the long sloping driveway and gated entrances, the front and back yards, patios and sports courts.
“Landscape is typically the last thing you do but it was the first thing I looked forward to the most…I thought there was an incredible opportunity to do something special,” said homeowner Rob Haskell, the former San Diego Surf Sports CEO and owner of Dime Basketball, a basketball league based in Encinitas and South Carlsbad. “The house doesn’t make the landscape, the landscape makes the house.”
For the succulent gardens along the driveway and around the home, they brought in the “crazy creative” and talented Samantha Owens, owner of Barrels and Branches nursery.
“Choosing plants for landscape renovations doesn’t always need to include repetitive standard varieties and drab colors,” said Owens. “Types of Aloes that boast bright orange and red colors, salvias that bloom with brilliance in shades of pink, groundcovers that bloom in color developed in Australia, and multiples of plants in bright greens, grays and blues round off the Haskell residence and make it as unique as they come.”