Huntington Gardens!

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

This New Jersey guy had a recent opportunity to visit and see the Huntington Gardens. I was out in LA area for work-related activity (not typical of me) and had a free day (even less typical). Of course I used my free time to visit the Los Angeles Arboretum and the Huntington Gardens the same day. The LA Arboretum was nice but the Huntington is above and beyond anything I could have imagined. It is absolutely incredible.....every inch of the place is well manicured with well placed, well grown plants. The Japanese Garden and the Desert Garden are Wow!! A huge conservatory has amazing plants and there is an incredible Children's garden too (very interesting for the adults to see too). Oh and the Bonsai....etc. etc. There is also the library/museums on the property that were well done and worth seeing. I can go on and on. A greenhouse contained a lot of smaller and unusual cactus, Haworthias, Lithops etc. and includes some Sansevieria!! There was a very well-grown 'Forescate' among the potted group and a huge S. kirkii 'Coppertone' in bloom in the ground (and int he greenhouse). I wonder if Norma Lewis had a hand in starting that 'Forescate' or other Sans there......a shame she is not able to be on the forum any more.... I know how much she loved volunteering there. These gardens are a must see for anyone in the area (or get yourself in that area). Even your non-plant-loving friends or family should enjoy this. The beauty of the place is mind blowing (and a large group of Golden Barrel cacti each the size of fire hydrants are impressive to anyone!)!

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vitorama

8 years ago

Huntington is on my must see list! I have only ever heard great things about it. I love that shot of the barrel cacti, incredible. I’m so happy you had the opportunity to visit, Chris. I think Norma will always be there in spirit.

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Comments (20)

barbmock
8 years ago
Wow Chris, what a wonderful highlight to your trip. Did you take pictures?
woodnative
Original Author
8 years ago
Part of the desert area..... my battery was low I didn’t take as many as I would have liked.
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woodnative
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
To keep on the forum topic some Sans.
barbmock
8 years ago
I see that Forescate tucked in the back row! Beautiful Golden Barrels in the top photo.
woodnative
Original Author
8 years ago
Barb those barrels were not even n the big ones!!
barbmock
8 years ago
We toured a beautiful desert garden in Walnut Creek, Ca., one time. It is the Ruth Bancroft Garden. I just looked at their website and I see that Mrs. Bancroft, the founder has recently passed away. If you are ever in that area, you should try to see it. I love to see these plants grown to maturity.
Rockdale (RI Z6)
8 years ago
Woodnative

do you know what is the yellow one on the sans picture. Is that forescate? And the silver on to the left front of it? And the broad leaf one to the right back of the 'coppertone'? Sorry for all the I'd questions :)

-rockdale
Mary978
8 years ago
What a great experience Chris... wish I was there...!
woodnative
Original Author
8 years ago
It is really a wonderful wonderful place......beyond what I thought it would be and I thought it would be good. If you are anywhere in the area do check it out. Rockdale no problem though I am not sure I can answer them except yes that is a 'Forescate' in the back right. Hard for me to grow here in winter but they have the right climate for all of these succulents in LA!
Stush2049 Pitts. PA, zone 6
8 years ago
Chris, I am so jealous of you. How wonderful to have gone there. Thank you so much for the pictures. Way way back around 1987 or so we were at LA and only went on tours of the parks and attractions. Wish I knew about this then and would have gone there. Now when we travel we always stop at garden centers and arboretums. Most however don't have a very large Sans display if any.
barbmock
8 years ago
I’m jealous too. Wouldn’t it be fun if we could all meet up out there and have a tour.
woodnative
Original Author
8 years ago
Stush this photo is for you!
Stush2049 Pitts. PA, zone 6
8 years ago
Looks like my basement shelves under lights.

Barb, Maybe we could host a go fund me page to support our habits.
Laura F (z9FL)
8 years ago
Huntington is on my bucket list.
barbmock
8 years ago
That’s funny Stush!
Stush2049 Pitts. PA, zone 6
8 years ago
Chris, this ones for you. Not as neat as Huntington's but works.

This last one is under LED grow lights. Looks this way all the time.

They were badly beat up from the wet summer we had but are slowly responding.
woodnative
Original Author
8 years ago
Stush- You have a botanical garden's worth of Huernia there!! Very cool!!
vitorama
8 years ago
Do your Stepeliads bloom, Stush? I would love to see pics if they do!
Stush2049 Pitts. PA, zone 6
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Lori, Check on other site 'Cacti & Succulents Forum' I posted pictures of my seedlings as they bloomed. Might be back a few pages now. Also title 'Living with a Huernia'.