Explore the Gardens of the World at The Huntington

If you live in the greater Los Angeles area, there is little doubt that at some point or another you’ve visited The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino. And if by chance you haven’t, it’s time to put it on your calendar. Commonly referred to simply as “The Huntington,” this sprawling property draws millions of visitors each year. As an avid gardener and hobby photographer, I visit regularly to enjoy its world class collection of botanical gardens, which are organized into sections featuring flora from several areas around the world. Of course, since all of this was originally the estate of Henry E. Huntington (1850–1927), a railroad magnate (what else?), there is also a residence on the property. Though, simply calling it a “residence” doesn’t really capture its grandeur. “Palatial” is a more appropriate adjective. Pictured above is a veranda at the east end of the home.

The library, pictured above, is an incredible research resource housing a vast collection of rare books and manuscripts (over 7 million!) with a focus on literature, art, and science from the 11th century to the present.  In the art museum visitors will find a collection focused on European and American art primarily from the 18th and 19th centuries. It also happens to be home to The Blue Boy painting by Thomas Gainesborough.  But the thing that has me returning several times a year are the botanical gardens.

Here in SoCal where drought tolerant gardens can be found on pretty much every block, people are quite used to seeing the many forms of cacti, palms, succulents, and shrubs that thrive in the desert.  Even still, as one walks along the paths of the Huntington’s Desert Garden it’s hard not to be taken aback by the variety, the colors, and the density of the flora surrounding and towering over you.  In the distance of the photo above, a canopy of yellows blossoms explode on a collection of Palo Verde Desert Museum trees.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the massive Dragon Tree (Dracaena Draco) pictured here has been in this very spot since the Huntingtons lived on the property. An extremely slow growing species, these can take up to 25 years to grow a mere 3 meters. In fact, they commonly take as much as 15 years to produce their first flowers. I planted one in my yard 7 years ago and the change is hardly noticeable. The thing that I love about them is the sculptural quality they lend to a garden.

When first glancing at the photo above, one might simply think to themselves: “oh, what a nice collection of cacti and succulents”.  But then, as your eye follows the path, the true scale of their growth is revealed by the comparison to the people also within the frame.

Of all the gardens at The Huntington, the Desert Garden has the most extensive network of pathways wending their way through it. As such, carrying one of the guide maps is definitely recommended if you’re the type that likes to make sure you’ve not missed anything.  Then again, unless you arrive when the gates first open and leave at closing time, chances are you won’t get to see everything anyway. And that’s just for the gardens. The museum and library are different journeys altogether. But that’s why it’s great to come back again and again. In just the gardens, the experience can be vastly different depending on the time of year, or even the time of day. Above, the early morning light creates a wonderful silhouette around the glowing spines of the cacti.

Adjacent to the Desert Garden are the Jungle Garden and Lily Ponds. I always enjoy the transition between these two landscapes.  Whereas the Desert Garden has a powerful visual impact and it’s quite exposed to the sun, the Jungle Garden and Lily Ponds are greener, cooler and more relaxed. It’s almost like happening upon an oasis in the desert. Who knows… maybe that was the whole idea.  I’m not sure, but I think this is a statue of Saint Francis, the patron saint of nature and animals.

In its setting of bamboo groves and conifers, the Lily Pond garden features five adjacent ponds and a grassy meadow. Lotus, koi, small waterfalls and graceful papyrus adorn the ponds.

The African Lily (Agapanthus ‘Purple Cloud’) thrives in this partially shaded setting beside the water. And the honey bees just love it.

In the Subtropical Garden, a canopy of palms act as a filter to the sunlight and provides shade for a grassy area in the center.

This copse of three towering trees with beautifully smooth trunks is located in the heart of the Australian Garden. One can walk through the Australian Garden without even realizing that you’re in a specially cultivated area because everything just feels so natural, which is precisely what I like most about it. And it’s also part of what makes The Huntington so great. You get treated to the incredibly manicured, as well as the perfectly natural.

Speaking of well-manicured areas, it’s a good time to mention the Japanese Garden, which has been around for over century and has long been one of the most popular areas of The Huntington. The garden includes several different elements to enjoy including a Zen court, a bonsai collection, a Japanese house, a ceremonial tea house, and the most recent addition, the Shoya House.  Pictured above is the iconic moon bridge spanning the pond in the stroll garden.

The Garden of Flowering Fragrance is an exquisite example of a classical style Chinese Garden which has been designed following landscaping principles established several hundred years ago in Suzhou, a city in southeastern China. Covering 15 acres, the garden features a large lake, pavilions connected by bridges, a tea house, a waterfall, and large limestone rock formations quarried in China.

Lotus flowers are in bloom on the aptly named Lake of Reflected Fragrance. On the opposite side of the lake is the “Waveless Boat” pavilion.

After passing through the entry gates of the Huntington, there is a long walkway flanked by the visitor center, a research center, an educational center, and a cafe. And along this walkway there are several little resting areas with benches enclosed by tall hedges granting a bit of privacy to those that choose to stop and relax there for a moment. These little alcoves make for a perfect spot to meet up with others in your party either before the start of your day, or at its end.

There is so much more to The Huntington’s Botanical Gardens than has been covered here, including a Rose Garden, California Garden, Conservatory, Ranch Garden, Shakespeare Garden, Children’s Garden, Camellia Garden, Orchid Collection, sculptures, fountains and more. Even the parking lot features beautiful landscaping. Above, tall, fluffy pampas grass lines the boundary of the driveway.

Much like the appeal of walking a beautiful golf course, strolling the grounds of the Huntington is a wonderful way to get one’s exercise. In fact, there are plenty of nearby residents who keep a membership specifically for that reason. If you’ve been considering moving to a new neighborhood, and this sort of activity appeals to you, I’d be more than happy to help you find a home in the area. There is certainly no shortage of dream homes in nearby San Marino and South Pasadena.

Finally, if you would like to experience The Huntington for yourself, you can visit their website here to learn more and plan your visit.