La Cañada Valley Beautiful has taken on the project of re-landscaping the grounds of Lanterman Auditorium and the La Cañada Unified School District’s headquarters using a low-water, low-maintenance approach.
“We are not using any new water, just amending the current irrigation system,” said Carolyn Hanna, project manager for La Cañada Valley Beautiful, the nonprofit organization that has been encouraging a beautiful, clean community since 1964.
Many existing plants and trees will be saved in their original location or replanted nearby to preserve vegetation of beauty or sentimental significance, such as the deodar tree that was planted and marked by a plaque to celebrate the 50th anniversary of La Cañada High School.
The drought-tolerant landscaping around Lanterman Auditorium has been completed, and Hanna plans to use many of the same plants around for the school district’s buildings across the street.
In front of the school district office, where the deodar tree stands, La Cañada Valley Beautiful plans to have podocarpus “icee blue” trees lining the circular building, asparagus and dietes “variegata” plants tastefully scattered throughout the lawn, and a dry river bed running by the tree.
La Cañada Valley Beautiful regularly recognizes outstanding residential and commercial gardens that reflect efforts to have landscapes be more water-wise, adding a Green Award to its monthly awards in 2012.
The organization also is responsible for maintaining the La Cañada Flintridge library’s gardens, post office, some trailheads and, now, beautifying Lanterman Auditorium and school district offices. Reliant on community donations for this maintenance, the group accepts contributions at facebook.com/lacanadavalleybeautiful.
