Lecture on Kate Sessions and Balboa Park Gardens

Speaker Introduction

• Researcher and writer on horticulture history
• Associate editor of California Garden
• Board member of San Diego Floral Association
• Long-time member of Mission Hills Garden Club

Key Topics

1. Kate Sessions' Influence on Balboa Park

   • Not a landscape architect but planted 1000+ trees
   • Influential voice in park development

2. Three Specialty Gardens in Balboa Park

   • Gardens are not well-known despite Sessions' involvement
   • Gardens: Aloe and Agave Garden, Cactus Garden, San Jose Hesper Palm Garden

Aloe and Agave Garden

• Established in 1931
• Kate Sessions' initiative as an alternative to a community dinner in her honor
• Developed with San Diego Floral Association and Chauncey Jarabek
• Location mystery solved via 1936 aerial photo
• Neglected and eventually destroyed in 1971 for parking lot

Cactus Garden

• Kate Sessions advocated since 1899
• Created for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition
• Contributions from various sources, including University of Arizona
• Neglected over the years but recently revitalized by Balboa Park Conservancy
• Potential renaming to honor Kate Sessions

San Jose Hesper Palm Garden

• Created in 1914
• Result of an expedition to Baja California with Brandeighs
• Contains rare San Jose Hesper Palms
• Forgotten garden, now largely ignored

Key Figures

• John Morley: Superintendent of Parks
• Chauncey Jarabek: Balboa Park horticulturalist
• Brandeighs: Famous botanists, collaborators on the San Jose Hesper Palm Garden
• Carl Purpus: German plant collector

Current Initiatives

• Balboa Park Conservancy working on revitalizing the Cactus Garden
• Public signage and directional improvements planned for 2021

Questions and Answers

• Maintenance efforts for cactus and palm gardens
• Historical significance of non-native plants in San Diego
• Impact of land use decisions on historic gardens

Conclusion

• Explore Balboa Park with new insights into its horticultural history
• Recognition of Kate Sessions' contributions through proposed garden renaming and improved signage