San Marcos Company Survives Wildfires: Sells Fire Retardant and Water-Wise Landscaping Products

Geranium Street Floral of San Marcos survived the devastating wildfires that threatened much of the  North County, San Diego suburb over the past 48 hours. The company has been in business in the area for over four years and sells artificial plant products, including artificial boxwood hedge, artificial topiaries and other items used for interior and exterior design. Friday, employees at the company were busy putting together orders of their products as the fires raged on just across the freeway.

Ironically, the company has been gearing up for this. “We have done a lot of research into this drought, and I predicted there would be terrible wildfires this summer. Everything is so dry,” said Geranium Street President, Bob Smith. “Californians are going to be made aware of just how precious water is in the coming months. We have been stocking up on water-wise products for that reason,” added Smith.

One of the items Geranium Street sells is fire retardant artificial boxwood hedge. Though, not completely fire proof, the artificial hedge can be put on a retaining wall or fence, for instance, will not easily ignite like many other materials. The artificial boxwood hedge is also UV rated and will not fade in the sun.

Artificial hedges seem to be popping up everywhere and can be seen in hotels, restaurants, office buildings and apartment complexes. People are using artificial hedge panels for privacy barriers, sound proofing, and to add color and texture. The new Savoie Restaurant in Chula Vista used artificial boxwood hedge throughout their restaurant and it looks fantastic. Truck Stop and Avenue in Pacific Beach also used fake boxwood hedge in their bars.

“Fake plants are not what they used to be. There is something cool, something hip about these new products they’re making. I finally found material that was fire retardant and I bought as much as I could get my hands on,” Bob Smith said. “All of us in California have to realize we are extremely vulnerable during this terrible drought,” Smith said as he watched a helicopter dumping water on the fire across the highway. “It’s only May, what’s August going to be like” Smith wondered aloud. As of Friday afternoon the San Marcos fire had burned several structures and was only 10 percent contained.      

Contact Information

Bob Smith

President

Geranium Street Floral

geraniumstreet@gmail.com