L.A Lines

    Las Pozas

    A mystical garden found in the heart of Mexico near the village of Xilitla, about seven hours from Mexico City.  Designed by Edward James between 1949-1984, it gives the vision of the lost city of Atlantis. 

    Edward and Plutarco Gastelum found the small valley by fluke.  The river bed running through had a large enticing waterfall, and after Plutarco swam in the pool, and slept on the rock edge, hundreds it would seem of blue butterflies landed upon him.  This is what inspired Edward to create his Garden of Eden at this very site.

    To walk through this unbelievable place, one walks through countless archways made from concrete. There are temples, surrealist art, pagodas and palaces.  It is a place beyond the imagination and amazingly enough, is engulfed more and more by the wild jungle every year making it much more mysterious. 

    As of 2007 the site will have continual restoration.     

        To get a real sense of the 50 acre garden check out this link:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzYKgVYlNSw  

    Pohutukawa   Metrosideros excelsa

    The native New Zealand tree species, is a grand tree spanning 20 meters in height, and forms a large dome shape crest, with a spread of up to 38 meters.  The flowers are a brilliant flame red that covers the entire tree. 

    The tree is mainly a cliff dweller, and survives well on lava fields.  It flowers from November to January, thus why the plants nickname of the New Zealand Christmas Tree. 

     Other variations to the flowers in other species include a light pink, and yellow flowers.  The Metrosideros excelsa grows well in other countries, and especially well as a street tree in California but is considered an invasive species in parts of South Africa.