Huntington's Botanical Gardens

Strolling around the lush and alluring gardens was the elixir Lori and I needed.

Encompassing about 130 acres, the botanical gardens feature living collections in 16 stunning themed gardens (we began in the Chinese) with more than 83,000 living plants including rare and endangered species, and a laboratory for botanical conservation and research.
In 1903, Mr. Huntington (1850–1927) purchased the San Marino Ranch. His superintendent, William Hertrich (1878–1966), was instrumental in developing the various plant collections that comprise the foundation of these botanical gardens. The property—originally nearly 600 acres—today covers 207 acres, 130 of which are open to visitors.
Lunch was in a quiet alcove within the garden at The Jade Court Café.
Liu Fang Yuan 流芳園, or the Garden of Flowing Fragrance, is one of the finest classical-style Chinese gardens outside of China. Filled with Chinese plants and framed by exquisite architecture, the landscape is enriched with references to literature and art. "Visitors can find both physical relaxation and mental stimulation when exploring the dramatic 15-acre garden."





The pavilions, paths, and rockeries in Liu Fang Yuan are the product of years of international collaboration. In the early 2000s, a master plan for the garden was developed by designers in Suzhou; American architects ensured that it would be seismically sound and wheelchair accessible. All of the garden’s visible building materials—wood beams, roofing tiles, granite terraces, paving pebbles—were sourced in China and installed by teams of Suzhou artisans.
An exhibition showcased the craftsmanship needed to make these gardens so magnificent. Hand-placed stones, set on their sides- amazing. I couldn't stop looking down.
"Each step through the garden’s pathways and pavilions reveals a new view as if a painted scroll were being unrolled scene by scene."


What a treat that the library was offering many hands-on activities (the reward for going on a weekend).
Chinese characters, also known as Hanzi, are one of the earliest forms of written language in the world, dating back approximately five thousand years. Nearly one-fourth of the world's population still use Chinese characters today. I felt I did pretty well on tree branch.
The nine-acre Japanese Garden, completed in 1912, was inspired by widespread Western fascination with Asian culture. As was fashionable at the time, many wealthy Americans and Europeans added exotic gardens to their estates. Mr. Huntington decided to build his own Japanese garden, and acquired many of the garden’s plants and ornamental fixtures from a property in nearby Pasadena that had failed as a commercial venture. Purchased in its entirety by Huntington, the materials also included the Japanese House. The moon bridge, commissioned by Huntington, was built by Japanese craftsman Toichiro Kawai.


There is one specific garden I plan to return to as everything comes to bloom. In As You Like It, William Shakespeare describes the Forest of Arden as having "tongues in trees, books in running brooks, Sermons in stones and good in every thing". That's also an apt description of The Huntington, where literary treasures (including a world-class collection of the Bard's own works) flourish in the midst of nature. The Shakespeare Garden features a broad variety of plants; some cultivated in England during Shakespeare's time, some mentioned in his plays and sonnets, plus many whose ancestors trace back to plants of his Renaissance writings.
From Hamlet, there are pansies, fennel, a willow tree, and rosemary; from Romeo and Juliet, a pomegranate tree; from A Midsummer Night's Dream, violets and thyme; from A Winter's Tale, daffodils and and carnations; and, of course, daisies from Love's Labour's Lost.
In 1910, Henry E. Huntington began acquiring a large collection of outdoor sculptures, personally deciding on the exact location for each piece of garden statuary. Some of the statues were moved as many as three times until Huntington was satisfied. Love is a common theme among the garden sculpture, most of which dates from the late 17th and early 18th centuries. My goal is to try to find them all one day!


Three out of 16 gardens. We'll have to do better next time. And just as there is no way to see everything here in one day, there really isn't a way for me to share all we did see.

Part 3 will showcase some of the treasures found within the walls of the Huntingtons' home.

posted under |

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Newer Post Older Post Home
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Get new Blog Posts to your inbox. Just enter name and email below.

 

We respect your email privacy

Blog Archive


Recent Comments