Enough already with the topiaries and palms

Thank you for the wonderful article on gardens and their influence on Southern California (“Where the World Is Abloom,” April 24). Our lush and varied landscapes, both public and private, are a true joy of living here. There are two areas, though, where I believe our gardening heritage is being challenged: the ever-encroaching “topiary” style as a result of trimming shrubs by power tools and the overuse of palms in public landscapes. How often has one seen a group of New Zealand flax after they’ve been given a flattop by a hedge trimmer? Or a hibiscus shaved into a sphere? As to the palm mania, much of Orange County now looks more like Indio, as the traditional mix of sycamores, pepper trees and eucalyptus gives way to row upon row of palms.

John Maloney

Anaheim