Unique Gardens

To view this page ensure that Adobe Flash Player version 9.0.124 or greater is installed.

Please login or register to make a comment!

The Best Of S o u t h e r n C a l i f o r n i a w w w . T r a v e l C o s t a M e s a . c o m Unique Gardens An outdoor feast for your eyes, ears and nose.

Hortense Miller Garden 3 949.497.0716 22511 Allview Terrace, Laguna Beach www.hortensemillergarden.org The Hortense Miller Garden covers two-and-one-hal3 acres o3 the upper slopes o3 Boat Canyon in Laguna Beach. The Garden demonstrates the range o3 plants that can be grown in Southern Cali3ornia coastal zones. The entrance court to the house, a classic 50s-modern design, is a beauti3ul sight particularly in the spring when the lilac blooms and large Japanese Wisteria dominate the brick wall.

There are small, intimate and distinct gardens, a perennial garden which displays a pro3usion o3 owers during all seasons as well as large succulents that lead to rare Puyas 3rom Chile. The northwesterly hal3 o3 the Garden is devoted to preservation o3 the native coastal sage scrub. Roger 9s Gardens 4 949.640.5800 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar www.rogersgardens.com Roger 9s Gardens has grown to be known as cAmerica 9s Most ... more. less.

Beauti3ul Home and Garden Center. d Presented in a garden-like setting, the Nursery o33ers one o3 the most extensive varieties o3 3oliage and owering plants 3ound anywhere. A spectacular color palate o3 annuals, perennials, landscape plants and garden 3oliage 3or both sun and shade are just a 3ew o3 the items 3or which Roger 9s is known. The Rose Garden has the largest variety o3 roses in all o3 Southern Cali3ornia, some o3 which are exclusive to Roger 9s Gardens. In the Garden Rooms are breathtakingly beauti3ul indoor plants including a large variety o3 orchids, English basket gardens and splendid designer, silk arrangements, which can be purchased as presented or custom created. Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden 5 562.985.8885 1250 Bell ower Boulevard, Long Beach www.csulb.edu/~jgarden Gardens associated with Zen Buddhist temples have a special reverence 3or nature and are inspired by the natural beauty o3 the Japanese landscape. Their aesthetic values and symbolism are incorporated into the gardens, having a certain austerity beftting their style. Japanese gardens are an art-3orm, using the natural elements o3 water, stone and plants. Placement and interweaving o3 these elements are determined by qualities o3 naturalness and asymmetry. When one is looking at the stone pagodas, grouping o3 plants or rocks, or the rails on a bridge, one sees no even numbers. Japanese gardens should elicit individual aesthetic responses, impressions and 3eelings 3or nature. Orange County Orange County Sherman Library and Gardens 1 949.673.2261 2647 East Pacifc Coast Highway, Corona del Mar www.slgardens.org The Gardens provide a museum o3 living plants, displayed amidst a setting o3 3ountains, sculptures and seasonal owers. The tranquil environment can be enjoyed 3or its beauty or, i3 desired, a place to observe and study frsthand plant li3e 3rom various parts o3 the world. The design o3 the gardens enables visitors to view this botanical diversity in a reasonably short time. Plants are labeled as to their place o3 origin, their generic 3amily and common names. The Cactus and Succulent Garden surrounds a large Cali3ornia pepper tree. The Tropical Conservatory with orchids, heliconias and gingers in 3ull bloom is like a visit to the Pacifc Islands. Don 9t 3orget to check out the size o3 the koi fsh; there are more than a dozen o3 the beauti3ul carp. The Rose Garden 3eatures an array o3 color3ul and scented blooming plants, while the cool atmosphere o3 the Fern Grotto exhibits the bold greenery o3 several 3orty-year-old hanging staghorn 3erns. A bo tree, considered sacred by Hindus and Buddhists, resides in the Japanese Garden. The Herb Garden boasts a variety o3 herbs, including chocolate and orange-mint, tri-color and society garlic, to name a 3ew. Fullerton Arboretum 2 714.278.3407 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton www.3ullertonarboretum.org Encompassing 26 lush acres, The Fullerton Arboretum has assembled a permanent collection o3 over 4,000 unique plant species 3rom around the world. With its ponds, streams and wildli3e, the Fullerton Arboretum o33ers a tranquil retreat 3rom a 3ast-paced urban li3e. Whether you know a hibiscus 3rom a heliconias doesn 9t really matter. When your travels take you to Southern Cali3ornia, you can count on an outdoor 3east 3or your eyes, ears and nose. Within the region are hundreds o3 square miles devoted to a rich variety o3 the world 9s ora, as well as to 3ountains, sculptures and other architectural elements that enrich their surroundings. Here are a 3ew examples to delight experts and novices alike. Enjoy! Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens 5 323.644.4200 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles www.lazoo.org/botanicalgardens Most visitors to the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens come to see the animals, but the plants that provide 0ood, shade and even entertainment are every bit as important as the animals. One o0 the 0undamental principles o0 conservation is habitat preservation, and at the 0oundation o0 every habitat are plants. The trees that fll the landscape 3 acacia, eucalyptus, fcus, mulberry 3 also provide 0ood 0or the animals. Additionally, the Zoo 9s plant collection includes many intriguing specimen plants 4examples o0 unusual or distinctive species such as the Chilean wine palm, bald cypress and cycads. Zoo grounds also 0eature special gardens that highlight groups o0 plants. The native gardens present many o0 this region 9s spectacular indigenous plants. The cactus and succulent gardens contain representatives o0 arid climates around the world while the cycad garden is a living time capsule 0ull o0 plant species that have been in existence since the age o0 dinosaurs. Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens 5 213.629.1200 120 South Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles www.kyotograndhotel.com/garden.html The enchanting cGarden in the Sky d on the third oor o0 the Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens is a miniature hal0-acre version o0 an historic, 400-year-old, ten-acre garden in Tokyo. The seven principles o0 Zen in uence all Japanese gardens; you will fnd asymmetry, simplicity, naturalness, calmness, austerity, subtlety and spirituality presenting nature in its purest 0orm. Kyoto Grand gardens are traditional cstrolling gardens d - each step signifes a release 0rom the realities o0 work and worry. An important classic technique in Japanese landscape architecture is called shakkei , or borrowed landscape, which beauti0ully incorporates surrounding landscapes into a garden 9s panorama. This technique has been success0ully employed in the cGarden in the Sky d, as it is 0ramed by the dynamic skyline o0 downtown Los Angeles. Massive red rocks placed care0ully throughout the garden are part o0 a priceless rock collection and symbolize a mountain or a continent, while a palette o0 combed sand might be an ocean. Experience a stroll through this grace0ul, calming environment, guaranteed to provide a relaxing and re0reshing experience. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden 5 909.625.8767 1500 North College Avenue, Claremont www.rsabg.org At 86 acres, this is the largest botanical garden dedicated exclusively to Cali0ornia 9s native plants. The Garden houses a large collection o0 Manzanitas. Throughout the peak blooming season o0 March and April, spring wild owers, perennials and shrubs bloom in waves o0 riotous color, while summer and 0all months provide a more subtle color and texture to the Botanic Garden when native 0ruit and seeds ripen. The Botanic Garden is a private, non-proft organization, open to the public daily 0rom 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is 0ree; a donation o0 $4.00/person and $8.00/0amily is suggested. South Coast Botanic Garden 5 310.544.1948 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula www.southcoastbotanicgarden.org The South Coast Botanic Garden is a unique 87-acre garden environment. Once a landfll, the garden now has over 150,000 beauti0ully landscaped plants and trees. Some o0 the more diverse plants include owering 0ruit trees, redwoods, ginkgos and pittosporum. The more popular gardens are the Water-wise Garden, Herb Garden, English Rose Garden and Garden o0 the Senses. A small lake and stream attract various birds such as ducks, geese, coots and blue heron. There are walking and shuttle tours as well as picnic areas. Horticultural lectures, classes and plant shows are provided 0or all visitors. Descanso Gardens 5 818.949.4200 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge www.descansogardens.org Located in the San Ra0ael Hills, this is truly a secluded, lush, dense garden containing over 100,000 plants including one o0 the largest displays o0 camellias in the world! Some o0 the more popular attractions are: a lake that hosts migratory birds; a Japanese garden with pools and water0alls; the International Rosarium 0eaturing thousands o0 rose settings. There is also an extensive per0orming-arts program throughout the year that provides ower and cra0t shows. Walking and tram tours, horticultural classes and lectures are available. The Huntington Botanical Gardens 5 626.405.2100 1151 Ox0ord Road, San Marino www.huntington.org The Botanical Gardens span nearly 120 acres with sweeping lawns and vistas interspersed with statuary, tempiettos and benches. Approximately 15,000 kinds o0 plants 0rom all over the world make up the botanical collections, many landscaped into a series o0 themed gardens. Free tours o0 the gardens are available with paid admission or membership. Docents are in the Herb and Rose Gardens during public hours. Virginia Robinson Gardens 5 310.276.5367 1008 Elden Way, Beverly Hills www.robinsongardens.org In the Formal Mall Garden, visitors fnd a kaleidoscope o0 brilliant color- re ecting, ever-changing ower borders with rare specimen cycads planted in the lawn. Spring, summer and 0all fll the Rose Garden with wonder0ul 0ragrance while the Kitchen Garden displays edibles 0rom the delicious world o0 vegetables and herbs. The Australian king palm collection transports visitors to an exotic tropical paradise. Planted in the glade are gingers, bananas and intoxicating plumeria. The Renaissance Revival Pool Pavilion, modeled a0ter the 0amous Villa Pisani in Italy, overlooks a sparkling pool constructed with mosaic tile wainscoting. Decorative panels o0 sgra0fto ornamentation adorn the Roman arches that visitors pass through when entering the solarium. Virginia Robinson Gardens has an eloquent blend o0 architecture and landscape, and is a beauti0ul representation o0 an early twentieth century estate. The Gardens cover six hillside acres and include fve distinctive areas, which are connected by brick paths, 0ountains and ponds creating a visual paradise. Guided walking tours led by volunteer docents are available. Charles F. Lummis Home and Garden 5 323.222.0546 200 East Avenue 43, Los Angeles www.socalhistory.org The Charles F. Lummis Home and Garden provides a peace0ul sanctuary. The Lummis Home stands on the west bank o0 the Arroyo Seco, a concrete bed built to tame turbulent waters during the rainy season. However, the stones that once lay beneath the sycamore trees and native plants now 0orm the structure that is the Lummis Home today. The south-0acing 0acade o0 the home is comprised o0 intricately-placed stones acquired 0rom this nearby stream bed, built largely by the energy and discipline o0 Charles Lummis. The Arboretum 5 626.821.3222 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia www.arboretum.org S pend your day in a lush garden or sit by a water0all and watch peacocks un0old their color0ul 0eathers! Visit the tropical greenhouse or take a tram ride through the 127-acre garden with plant and tree li0e 0rom around the world! The arboretum 9s plants are grouped by geography with gardens 0or South American, Mediterranean, South A0rican, Australian, Asiatic and North American plants. Other displays include the Aquatic Garden, Meadowbrook, Demonstration Home Gardens, Garden 0or All Seasons, Prehistoric and Jungle Garden, Native Oaks, Herb Garden and the Palm and Bamboo collection. Other popular activities also include bird watching, plant shows, educational classes and lectures. There are historical buildings to visit as well as a relaxing ca0é. Numerous movies were flmed at the arboretum including portions o0 two Jurassic Park movies and Anaconda . Los Angeles County Los Angeles County Photo courtesy o0 the The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens The Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens 6 310.510.2595 Avalon Canyon Road, Avalon www.catalina.com/memorial.html This garden places a special emphasis on Cali0ornia island endemic plants, some o0 which grow naturally on one or more o0 the Cali0ornia islands, but nowhere else in the world. Many o0 these plants are extremely rare; some are on the endangered species list. The Memorial Garden is particularly concerned with the six Catalina endemic plants which grow naturally only on Catalina Island. Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden 5 310.379.4447 Peck Avenue just north o0 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Manhattan Beach www.manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.org Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden contains many themed areas, including the cBird and Butter y Habitat d, the cMeditation Garden d and the cMatilija Poppy Hillside d. Plants native to Cali0ornia as well as some 0rom similar Mediterranean climates are installed. The cChildren 9s Garden o0 Discovery d and a cWild ower Meadow d were planted near the 30-seat Chevron Amphitheater. Dozens o0 bird species, many lizards and a multitude o0 benefcial insects reside there. The Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden 5 310.825.1260 Southeastern corner o0 the UCLA campus www.botgard.ucla.edu/bg-home.htm Located on the beauti0ul UCLA campus, this garden maintains one o0 the most important living botanical collections in the United States with plant specimens 0rom all over the world. This seven-acre garden is 0rost-0ree and there0ore can exhibit many di00erent species o0 tropical and subtropical plants. Approximately 5,000 species in 225 plant 0amilies are growing here outdoors. Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine 5 310.454.4114 17190 Sunset Boulevard, Pacifc Palisades This ten-acre site, with its gardens and natural, spring-0ed lake is home to a variety o0 ora and 0auna, including swans, ducks, koi fsh and lotus owers. The grounds include a Court o0 Religions honoring the fve principal religions o0 the world, the Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial where a portion o0 Gandhi 9s ashes is enshrined, a small museum with exhibits on Paramahansa Yogananda 9s work and a gi0t shop with arts and cra0ts 0rom India. There is also a hilltop temple overlooking the lake. Quail Botanical Gardens 7 760.436.3036 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas www.qbgardens.org The Larabee Family landscaped the property around their modest home with exotic plants they had collected during their worldwide travels, including cork oaks, palms, cycads, aloes, cacti, hibiscus and unusual subtropical 0ruit- bearing plants and trees. The mission o0 Quail Botanical Gardens is to inspire people o0 all ages to connect with plants and nature. Their goals include: " Conserving rare and endangered plants suitable for growing in outdoor habitats. " Introducing and cultivating plants that exhibit horticultural value in San Diego County. " Educating the public about plants and their importance in the natural environment by providing tours, nature walks, lectures, instructional programs and publications. " Encouraging the presence of indigenous wildlife throughout the Gardens. " Preserving designated trees and shrubs planted in the Gardens which re ect its history and charm. " Providing a peaceful setting where the public may enjoy the natural beauty o0 the Gardens. Activities in the Gardens are consistent with the preservation o0 a tranquil environment. San Diego County San Diego County Japanese Garden 5 818.756.8166 6100 Woodley Avenue, Van Nuys www.thejapanesegarden.com Guests are invited to walk, sit and contemplate their surroundings in the garden where the skill0ul blending o0 traditional Japanese landscaping with modern Occidental architecture is obvious. To do so is to experience absolute tranquility; it is to enrich one 9s spirit, to achieve a state o0 grace so elusive in this busy, modern world, and to emulate Lord Buddha who, three thousand years ago, seated in the shade o0 a tree in silent contemplation o0 the human condition, achieved spiritual enlightenment. Suiho En , the garden o0 water and 0ragrance, is a six-acre authentic Japanese garden 0ashioned a0ter cstroll gardens d constructed during the 18th and 19th centuries 0or Japanese 0eudal lords. The 0acility is unique in that it incorporates three classical designs: a dry karensansui , a wet garden with promenade chisen and an authentic tea- ceremony garden with tea room. UCLA Hannah Carter Japanese Garden 5 310.794.0320 10920 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1520, Los Angeles www.japanesegarden.ucla.edu The UCLA Hannah Carter Japanese Garden covers just over one acre and is located in the community o0 Bel Air about one mile 0rom the UCLA campus. The garden was inspired by the gardens o0 Kyoto. Many structures in the garden 3 the main gate, garden house, bridges, and shrine 3 were built in Japan and reassembled here. Also present are Japanese antinque stone carvings, water basins, lanterns, fve-tiered pagoda and symbolic rocks. Several hundred tons o0 local stones came 0rom quarries in Ventura County and 0rom the 0oot o0 Mt. Baldy, northeast o0 Los Angeles. COST A MESA COSTA MESA Japanese Friendship Garden of San Diego 7 619.232.2721 2215 Pan American Road, San Diego www.niwa.org The Japanese Friendship Garden Society o0 San Diego has roots in the 1915 World Exposition. A0ter the Exposition, strong community interest kept the Japanese Tea Pavilion open 0or thirty years within Balboa Park, San Diego 9s Culture Center. With the development o0 San Diego 9s sister-city relationship with Yokohama in 1950, 0orty years o0 gi0t exchanges 0ollowed, kindling 0eelings o0 shared ideals represented by the Japanese Garden. Balboa Park 7 619.239.0512 1549 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego www.balboapark.org Balboa Park is renowned 0or the lush landscaping and lovely gardens on its 1,200 acres, o00ering a magnifcent backdrop 0or cultural attractions. The Park was ranked among the Best Parks in the World by the Project 0or Public Places in 2003 0or its mixture o0 horticulture and art. There are more than eight gardens in the Park, which include the lovely Alcazar Garden, the award-winning rose garden, the Japanese Friendship Garden, the desert garden and the historic Botanical Building. Paradise Gardens 7 760.439.7005 190 Wilshire Road, San Luis Rey www.paradisegardens.com Paradise Gardens has become San Diego 9s secret tropical setting 0or outdoor weddings and receptions. The cascading water0alls and picturesque gardens are a photographer 9s dream. You 9ll enjoy the sights and sounds o0 the tropics the moment you enter the gates to this paradise. Amenities include a Victorian-style bridal suite, a catering preparation kitchen, a lakeside gazebo, a horse-drawn carriage ride around a lakeside trail and an outdoor band shell with a natural stone dance oor. With plenty o0 evening lighting 0rom the Tiki torches, you can enjoy dining and dancing under the moonlight re ected in the private lake. Paradise Gardens also hosts many 0amily gatherings, corporate events and has recently been the setting 0or commercials and major motion pictures. w w w . T r a v e l C o s t a M e s a . c o m This in0ormation was compiled 0rom reliable sources by Debbie Miller. 5 7 1 2 3 4 6

less