San Diego Reader

Winter's Intermittent Warm Spells came and went, and in doing so triggered the early emergence of bright green leaves on sycamore, liquidambar, and other decorative deciduous trees around San Diego. Cruise down Highway 163 through Balboa Park to appreciate the vernal splendor of the sycamores growing in the landscaped center divider. Or walk across the El Prado bridge and look down upon the same.

March Is the Proverbial Windy Month here in San Diego, as in most places. From midday to late afternoon, sun-warmed air expands and rises over the county's interior, drawing in an influx of cool air from the coast to replace it. These afternoon sea breezes will continue at peak strength until well into the summer, providing dependable conditions for such sports as sailing, kite flying, and hang-gliding.

African Daisies are bursting into bloom around San Diego, especially along the freeway embankments. The name refers to a wide variety of species belonging to the genuses Arctotis, Dimorphotheca and Osteospermum, with flowers ranging in color from yellow, orange, and white to purple. These hardy ground covers require little water except when in active growth, and help to hold soil in place during heavy rains.

Ornamental Peach Trees, with radiant white and pink blossoms, are lighting up the manicured landscape around Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street in Balboa Park. These and other "stone-fruit" trees, with and without edible fruits, belong to the genus Prunus. Several native Prunus species contribute to San Diego County's natural vegetation as well -- among them, hollyleaf cherry, choke cherry, desert almond, and desert apricot. The desert apricot, now beginning to bloom on the rocky hillsides of the Anza-Borrego Desert, attracts swarms of bees with its sweet-smelling nectar.