Landscape Zones
Six landscape zones have been defined which address the specific land uses, soil and plant suitability characteristics of each zone.
The six landscape zones are:
Zone One: | Wetland Zone |
Zone Two: | Wetland Restoration Zone |
Zone Three: | Commercial Area Landscape Transition Zone |
Zone Four: | Open Space and Conservation Zone |
Zone Five: | Olivenhain Road Commercial Area Landscape Transition Zone |
Zone Six: | El Camino Real Streetscape Zone |
The Landscape Zone locations are illustrated on Exhibit III-3. The landscape character of each zone is described below. In each zone, plant material selection guidelines are also included which define the most appropriate species given the expected site and soil conditions.
Zone One: Wetland Zone
Encinitas Creek and its associated willow riparian woodland and marsh bio-environments are the focus for restoration efforts in this zone. The zone is approximately 12 acres in size and is a protected zone. The following plant list identifies native species and complementary plant material to be used in the revegetation and enhancement program.
Botanical Name | Common Name |
|---|
Freshwater/Brackish Marsh |
Anemopsis californica | Yerba Mansa |
Iva hayesiana | Hayes Iva |
Juncus acutus | Spiny Rush |
Juncus mexicanus | Mexican Rush |
Scirpus robustus | Prairie Bulrush |
Scirpus californicus | California Bulrush |
Willow Riparian Woodland |
For Wetter Areas: | |
Artemisia douglasiana | Douglas Wormwort |
Elymus condensatus | Giant Wild Rye |
Populus fremontii | Fremont Cottonwood |
Pulchea servicea | Arroweed |
Salix gooddingii | Black Willow |
Salix hindsiana | Sandbar Willow |
Salix lasiolepis | Arroyo Willow |
For Drier Areas: | |
Artemisia californica | California Sagebrush |
Baccharis pilularis ssp. consanguinea | Coyote Brush |
Baccharis salicifolia | Mulefat |
Encelia californica | California Encelia |
Eriogonum fasciculatum | Flat-top Buckwheat |
Festuca megalura | Zorro Fescue |
Happlopappus venetus | Coast Golden Bush |
Heteromeles arbutifolia | Toyon |
Isomeris arborea | Bladder Pod |
Malosma laurina | Laurel Sumac |
Rhus integrifolia | Lemonade Berry |
Sambucus mexicana | Desert Elderberry |
Zone Two: Wetland Restoration Zone
The objective for this zone is to restore and expand the Zone One plantings so that this zone will ultimately evolve into the same wetland character as Zone One. This area of approximately 6 acres includes a Nuisance Water Treatment Wetland area of approximately 0.5 acres. The emphasis of the landscape concept is to extend the wetland species adjacent to existing types; therefore, where there is a marsh condition in Zone One, the adjacent planting in Zone Two will also consist of primarily marsh species.
The Nuisance Water Treatment Wetland is designed to catch and hold parking lot runoff which is first passed through oil/water separators to remove oils and sediments and to catch high flow rainfall directly. Wetland plant species, acting as filtering agents, will be cultivated from healthy and mature plugs grown under the supervision of a qualified biologist or nursery person. Plant material that shows signs of irreversible degradation will be selectively removed on a biennial basis to maintain a constant filtering continuity.
To ensure water availability during months of no rainfall or low urban runoff a water-conserving emitter type irrigation line will be installed to supplement water facilitating the viability of plant life. The presence of a high ground water table and lowered elevation of the treatment area will also provide a positive biological setting.
Botanical Name | Common Name |
|---|
Freshwater/Brackish Marsh |
Anemopsis californica | Yerba Mansa |
Iva hayesiana | Hayes Iva |
Juncus acutus | Spiny Rush |
Juncus mexicanus | Mexican Rush |
Scirpus robustus | Prairie Bulrush |
Scirpus californicus | California Bulrush |
Willow Riparian Woodland |
For Wetter Areas: | |
Artemisia douglasiana | Douglas Wormwort |
Elymus condensatus | Giant Wild Rye |
Populus fremontii | Western Cottonwood |
Pulchea servicea | Arroweed |
Salix gooddingii | Black Willow |
Salix hindsiana | Sandbar Willow |
Salix lasiolepis | Arroyo Willow |
For Drier Areas: | |
Artemisia californica | California Sagebrush |
Baccharis pilularis ssp. consanguinea | Coyote Brush |
Baccharis salicifolia | Mulefat |
Encelia californica | California Encelia |
Eriogonum fasciculatum | Flat-top Buckwheat |
Festuca megalura | Zorro Fescue |
Happlopappus venetus | Coast Golden Bush |
Heteromeles arbutifolia | Toyon |
Isomeris arborea | Bladder Pod |
Malosma laurina | Laurel Sumac |
Rhus integrifolia | Lemonade Berry |
Sambucus mexicana | Desert Elderverry |
Zone Three: Commercial Area Landscape Transition Zone
This area of approximately 9 acres includes the developed home improvement center site (including the parking lot) as well as area of Planning Area 4 on the south side of Encinitas Creek which could in the future accommodate commercial or light industrial uses. Planting will occur in bands, with cottonwood and sycamore species used along the northern portion of Zone Three, reflecting high-moisture site conditions due to high groundwater levels and species planted along the southern boundary echoing the drier environment of the chaparral area. The central band will be an area of transition and will include native as well as ornamental tree species.
The objective is to develop a primarily lush, green landscape that provides shade for the parking lots and adds year-round color interest in other areas. However, the related objective is that this be a water-use efficient landscape. Plant material identified as appropriate will tolerate high water table levels (with associated expected high salt content) as well as the high stress and drought conditions associated with parking lots.
Botanical Name | Common Name |
|---|
Trees |
Albizia julibrissin | Silk Tree |
Cupaniopsis anacardioides | Carrot Wood |
Koelreuteria bipinnata | Chinese Flame Tree |
Melaleuca quinquenervia | Cajeput Tree |
Metrosideros excelsus | New Zealand Christmas Tree |
Pinus spp. | Pine Tree |
Platanus acerfolia | London Plane Tree |
Populus fremontii | Fremont Cottonwood |
Tristania conferta | Brisbane Box |
Shrubs and Groundcovers |
Arbutus unedo | Strawberry Tree |
Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Howard McMinn' | Howard McMinn Manzanita |
Baccharis pilularis 'Twin Peaks' | Twin Peaks Coyote Bush |
Bougainvillea sp. | Bougainvillea |
Ceanothus 'Concha' | California Lilac |
Ceanothus 'Frosty Blue' | Frosty Blue Lilac |
Ceanothus 'Joyce Coulter' | Joyce Coulter Coast Lilac |
Eriogonium fasciculatum 'Dana Point' | Dana Point Buckwheat |
Festuca californica | California Fescue |
Festuca megalura | Zorro Fescue |
Iva hayesiana | Hayes Iva |
Nolina parryi | Parry's Beargrass |
Oenothera berlandieri | Mexican Evening Primrose |
Prunus lyonii | Catalina Island Cherry |
Rhus integrifolia | Lemonade Berry |
Stipa pulchra | Needlegrass |
Zone Four: Open Space and Conservation Zone
This zone consists of approximately 25 acres of dense chaparral vegetation on north- and west-facing slopes. Both topography and vegetation promote the diversity of local fauna in this habitat.
This zone is protected by an open space easement in Planning Area 2. There are two objectives for the establishment of this zone. First, most of the area in this zone is to remain in an undisturbed condition and is to provide a natural area for wildlife. Second, enhancement of the chaparral environment is proposed for any areas that are to be disturbed within this zone. Graded slopes shall be planted with species typically found in the chaparral plant community and with an appropriate seed mix to establish native grass and flower species. Since the Del Mar Manzanita is a sensitive plant found in limited numbers, emphasis shall be on reintroducing this species. Re-introduction of the Coast White Lilac shall also be emphasized. Temporary above-ground irrigation systems shall be installed for a period of about two years to promote the establishment of native plant materials.
Plant material most suitable for this zone consists of the following:
Botanical Name | Common Name |
|---|
Trees |
Pinus torreyana | Torrey Pine |
Quercus agrifolia | Coast Live Oak |
Shrubs |
Arctostaphylos glandulosa | Del Mar Manzanita ssp. crassifolia |
Artemisia californica | California Sagebrush |
Baccharis sarothroides | Broom Baccharis |
Ceanothus tomentosus | Woolly Leaf Ceanothus |
Ceanothus verrucosus | Coast White Lilac |
Encelia californica | California Encelia |
Eriogonum fasciculatum | Flat-top Buckwheat |
Heteromeles arbutifolia | Toyon |
Lonicera subspicata | San Diego Honeysuckle |
Malosma laurina | Laurel Sumac |
Quercus dumosa | Scrub Oak |
Rhus integrifolia | Lemonade Berry |
Yucca schidigera | Mohave Yucca |
Container plants specifically chosen for revegetation of the cut slope directly south of the Home Improvement Center may include:
Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. crassifolia | Del Mar Manzanita |
Ceanothus tomentosus | Woolly Leaf Ceanothus |
Ceanothus verrucosus | Coast White Lilac |
Elymus condensatus | Giant Wild Rye |
Heteromeles arbutifolia | Toyon |
Marah macrocarpus | Wild Cucumber |
Quercus dumosa | Scrub Oak |
Xylococcus bicolor | Mission Manzanita |
Yucca schidigera | Mohave Yucca |
Zone Five: Olivenhain Road Commercial Area Landscape Transition Zone
This zone of approximately 1.5 acres requires buffer planting along Olivenhain Road, transitional riparian planting along the southern boundary, and appropriate transitional species for the intermediate areas, which could be used for parking lot and foundation planting. Predominantly mesic plant material is recommended for use, and the following list identifies the most suitable species:
Botanical Name | Common Name |
|---|
Trees |
Acacia baileyana | Bailey Acacia |
Koelreuteria bipinnata | Chinese Flame Tree |
Metrosideros excelsus | New Zealand Christmas Tree |
Platanus racemosa | California Sycamore |
Populus fremontii | Fremont Cottonwood |
Pyrus kawakamii | Evergreen Pear |
Robinia ambigua 'Idahoensis' | Idaho Flowering Locust |
Robinia pseudoacacia | False Locust |
Salix gooddingii | Black Willow |
Salix lasiolepis | Arroyo Willow |
Shrubs and Groundcovers |
Ceanothus 'Joyce Coulter' | Joyce Coulter Coast Lilac |
Ceanothus 'Frosty Blue' | Frosty Blue Lilac |
Elymus condensatus | Giant Wild Rye |
Encelia californica | California Encelia |
Eriogonum fasciculatum | Flat-top Buckwheat |
Festuca californica | California Fescue |
Festuca megalura | Zorro Fescue |
Isomeris arborea | Bladder Pod |
Iva hayesiana | San Diego Marsh Elder |
Oenothera berlandieri | Mexican Evening Primrose |
Rhus integrifolia | Lemonade Berry |
Scirpus californicus | California Bulrush |
Zone Six: El Camino Real Streetscape Zone
This area of approximately 1.5 acres adjacent to El Camino Real is to function as a buffer. Therefore it shall be fairly densely planted in order to filter traffic noise. This edge is important to the continuation of the landscape character developed in the interior portion of the site as well as being compatible with the natural character of the viewshed. Suitable plant material consists of the following:
Botanical Name | Common Name |
|---|
Trees |
Cupaniopsis anacardioides | Carrot Wood |
Eucalyptus spp. | Eucalyptus |
Koelreuteria bipinnata | Chinese Flame Tree |
Melalueca quinquenervia | Cajeput Tree |
Pinus spp. | Pine Tree |
Platanus acerifolia | London Plane Tree |
Platanus racemosa | California Sycamore |
Populus fremontii | Fremont Cottonwood |
Pyrus kawakamii | Evergreen Pear |
Shrubs and Groundcovers |
Acacia redolens | Prostrate Acacia |
Arctostaphylos spp. | Manzanita |
Ceanothus 'Concha' | California Lilac |
Coprosma kirkii | Creeping Coprosma |
Elymus condensatus | Giant Wild Rye |
Iva hayesiana | Jayes Iva |
Pittosporum tobria 'Wheelers Dwarf' | Dwarf Mock Orange |
Rhamnus californica | Coffeeberry |
Stipa pulchra | Needlegrass |