Balboa Park in Bloom: June

Take a break from Netflix and enjoy a look at Balboa Park’s flowering trees. You’ll learn a few fun facts about each and get a couple surprises along the way.

The Balboa Park trees in bloom during June are:

• Tipuana Tipu
• Gold Medallion
• Beestill
• Mexican Palo Verde
• Markhamia
• Australian Willow
• Crepe Myrtle
• Cockspur Coral
• Jacaranda
• Magnolia
• Sweetshade
• Australian Flame Tree

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Tipuana Tipu

https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/tipuana-tipu

Location(s) in Balboa Park: EVERYWHERE, but especially in South Park. Huge specimen south of Juniper and 6^th.

• Native of Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina.
• Partly Deciduous (leafless)
• Aliases: Tipu Tree; Rosewood; Pride of Bolivia

I’m partial to these trees because they make the little village of South Park (San Diego, not the cartoon) so quaint. Don’t believe a tree can make that kind of difference? Check out my post: “The Trees of Fern Street.”

https://southparksdblogger.com/2020/01/28/south-park-sd-the-trees-of-fern-street/

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Gold Medallion

https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/cassia-leptophylla

Location(s) in Balboa Park: Morley Field Parking Lot; Lawn Bowling Greens.

• Native of Brazil
• Partly Deciduous (leafless)
• This is a common street tree around San Diego.

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Beestill

https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/cascabela-thevetia

Location(s) in Balboa Park: Lawn Bowling Greens; Prado Restaurant lawn.

• Native of Mexico and Central America.
• Evergreen.
• Aliases: Yellow Oleander; Lucky Nut.

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Mexican Palo Verde

https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/parkinsonia-aculeata

Location(s) in Balboa Park: Desert Garden; Balboa Park Club.

• Native of Southwestern United States and Mexico.
• Deciduous (leafless)
• Aliases: Jerusalem Thorn.

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Markhamia

https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/markhamia-lutea

Location(s) in Balboa Park: Museum of Natural History; Former Hall of Champions.

• Native of Tropical Africa.
• Evergreen.
• Aliases: Gold Markhamia; Yellow Bell Bean Tree.

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Seen enough yellow flowers yet?

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SURPRISE! The Lily Pond is in Bloom.

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Australian Willow

https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/geijera-parviflora

Location(s) in Balboa Park: President’s Way.

• Native of Australia.
• Evergreen.
• Aliases: Wilga.

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Crepe Myrtle

https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/lagerstroemia-indica

Location(s) in Balboa Park: Plaza de Panama; Old Globe.

• Native of China.
• Deciduous (leafless)
• Aliases: Crape Myrtle; Pride of India; Queen of Flowers.
• Varieties: Glendora White, Near East, Seminole and Watermelon Red.

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Cockspur Coral

https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/erythrina-crista-galli

Location(s) in Balboa Park: Model Railroad Museum parking lot.

• Native of South America.
• Partly Deciduous (leafless).
• Aliases: Crybaby Tree; Fireman’s Cap Tree.

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Jacaranda

https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/741

Location(s) in Balboa Park: EVERYWHERE. Also El Prado just east of 6^th Avenue.

• Native of Brazil.
• Partly Deciduous (leafless).
• Aliases: Blue Trumpet Tree; Blue Jacaranda; Mimosa; Fern Tree; Black Poui; Blue Jacaranda; Blue Trumpet Tree.

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Guess Who?

Details in next month’s Balboa Park in Bloom!

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Magnolia

https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/magnolia-grandiflora

Location(s) in Balboa Park: West of Balboa Drive from Quince to Grape Streets; Morley Field; Palm Canyon.

• Native of Southeastern United States.
• Evergreen.
• Aliases: Southern Magnolia; Bull Bay.

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Sweetshade

https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/hymenosporum-flavum

Location(s) in Balboa Park: Marston Point; Redwood Circle.

• Native of Australia
• Evergreen.
• No known aliases.

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Australian Flame Tree

https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/brachychiton-acerifolius

Location(s) in Balboa Park: Carousel parking lot.

• Native of Australia.
• Partly deciduous.
• Aliases: Flame Bottle Tree; Flame Tree; Illawarra Flame Tree.

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Fascinating and funky trees from around the world have been a constant in Balboa Park ever since 1892, when Kate Sessions leased some space there for her nursery business. They provide an ever-changing display of color and form on a scale you won’t find anywhere else.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned!

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References

1. https://selectree.calpoly.edu/

2. Kathy Puplava and Paul Sirois, Trees and Gardens of Balboa Park, (San Diego, CA: Tecolote Publications, 2001).