NEXT SHARING GARDEN: Vista/Bonsall Sharing Garden: Sunday, September 27, 2026, With Group Tours From 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
Registration for members to open soon: https://sdhort.org/FeaturedGarden
Sunday, September 27, 2026, Group 1 - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Group 2 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Group 3 - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Cycads and bromeliads and succulents – oh my! Robert Kopfstein is a past president of the San Diego Bromeliad Society (and also of the Palomar Cactus and Succulent Society), and in 2018 the World Bromeliad Conference featured a tour of his outstanding 3-acre hilltop garden in north Vista. In addition to a huge collection of hundreds of species, the garden which Robert and his wife Karen have created over the past 30 years at about 800’ above sea level includes a 360-degree panoramic view, and on clear days you can see mountains near Palm Springs! Near the bottom of his hillside is a low-water 1+ acre garden of exotic cycads from Mexico, Australia, China, Vietnam, and Africa, plus other fascinating plants. Like the hundreds of succulents at the top of the hill many of these plants were grown from seeds and/or tiny specimens (some of which Robert collected on his travels). The steep driveway up the hill is lined with Australian Brachychiton trees with swollen water-holding trunks. There are many special trees near the house, including a huge 40–50-year-old Araucaria, a gold-flowered African Tulip Tree, a Chilean Wine Palm, three male French Gingko trees (from seed collected in France), a sturdy Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree), the Mexican Boojum tree, and so much more.
Surrounding the c-shaped home there are plants from all over the world, including those Robert collected during his five trips to Mexico. Hundreds of plants are in pots, in part because Robert regularly exhibits them at the Bromeliad Society and the Palomar Cactus & Succulent Society meetings, and partly to restrict their growth so he has room for more specimens. One of the first things he did when he moved into the house was to build an expansive shade house, mostly for his every-growing collection of bromeliads. Gravel paths curve through the garden and there is a wealth of uncommonly-seen plant matter plus a gorgeous view at every turn. Don’t miss the above-ground koi pond behind the house with a dozen enormous fish. It is unusual because there is no mechanical water filter. Instead, yellow iris planted in gravel in the pond keep the water crystal clear. This is a garden you won’t want to miss.
Registration for members to open soon: https://sdhort.org/FeaturedGarden
Sunday, September 27, 2026, Group 1 - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Group 2 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Group 3 - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Please Note:
By attending you agree to waive all claims against SDHS and any entities associated with visiting the garden.
No pets or strollers are allowed in the garden.
Please wear closed-toe shoes and bring a hat and water. This garden is not handicapped accessible. Restrooms are not available.
Carpooling is very strongly encouraged. Only cars driven by SDHS volunteers will be allowed on the long driveway up to the top of the property due to how narrow it is. Park ONLY on Kellyn Lane and after checking in you may walk up (or ride with one of our volunteers) to the top of the long driveway to see the large garden surrounding the house. If you walk up (or down) the long driveway you may also stroll through the richly planted cycad garden.