The legacy of Kate Sessions’ efforts in helping develop Balboa Park’s beauty is the reason three floral organizations will conduct a birthday salute this month to the horticulturist who began her planting in 1892. Next time you’re driving along Sixth Avenue, look to the east and view a mixture of grand trees, propagated from Kate Sessions’ nursery from long ago. There’s an array of cypress, pine, oak, pepper, eucalyptus trees grown from seedlings imported from around the world. Sessions struck a deal with the city of San Diego to lease 30 acres of land in Balboa Park — then called City Park — for her growing fields. In return, she agreed to plant 100 trees a year in the mostly barren park, as well as 300 trees a year in other parts of San Diego. The San Diego Floral Association, Save Our Heritage Organisation and Friends of Balboa Park, organizations each with strong ties to Sessions and the park, are in charge of this month’s gathering to honor Sessions and her work. Activities include a park tour and a visit to Sessions’ statue One of the featured speakers will be Nancy Carol Carter of the Floral Association, who points out that Sessions was a charter member of that group when it was formed in 1907 “Where you see most of her work is in the northwest part of the park, near Sixth Avenue and Upas. That was the sight of her nursery,” Carter said. “Miss Sessions popularized the cork and Brazilian pepper, and you’ll notice a grove of palm trees north of the lawn bowling area,” Carter said. “She went on an expedition to Baja to introduce that tree to the United States. As a test grower, she brought in a lot of exotic plants because of her connection with the Department of Agriculture.” The celebration honoring Sessions will begin at 11 a.m., Nov. 6 at Marston House in Balboa Park.