This year Southern California has had a proper winter--with double our average rainfall and temperatures lingering for months below 60 degrees, I was chomping at the bits to enjoy a typical Southern California Day and thankful with more rain forecast for this week, to have the day off in recognition of Cesar Chavez' fair labor efforts. I slept poorly on Sunday night, and ended up sleeping into the Monday morning holiday from work, but decided I couldn't waste the day completely, so I laced up my shoes, grabbed my camera and headed for Descanso Gardens, a jewel just minutes away from my apartment. Since the annual membership is only $60, and offers 8 am entrance for members, I frequent Descanso throughout the year and at times grab an early before-work walk. It is a joy to see the gardens as they progress through the seasons.
Usually, I park on the east side of the parking lot for easy exit, but yesterday with my late arrival, I drove into a filled parking lot with a couple of buses. I circled around to find parking and on the walk to the entrance, I wondered why so many people decide to come to Descanso on a Monday morning? Cesar Chavez Day was a hard earned Union negotiated
holiday for LA County employees, as is not typically celebrated holiday. But this weekend was the first truly gorgeous weekend we have had since December, and others with the day off certainly felt that Descanso was worth the visit.
The explosion of color started just past the entrance, here is a a bushy tree with with branches laden with tiny yellow flowers. As I walked on I realized the draw for the day, the tulip bulbs that I saw in stacks several weeks earlier during a drizzly visit had come to life and what an impact they had. Tulips are short lived, in cooler weather they will last up to 2 weeks but warmer weather will shorten their visit to just a few days. So I lingered to take in the variety of this transient.
guests. In Japan, cherry blossom season is celebrated with Hanami picnics. This year the rain shortened the cherry blossoms in the Japanese Garden but I decided that tulips were a fine substitution. The tulips were amazing, I took in the overview of planted tulips and felt any worries and concerns lift away, then I became incredibly engaged with looking at the individual tulips and the variety they offered--some were frilly, some more open and full in the bloom than others. Each individual, unique and beautiful. The end of this post will feature a brief gallery of some oft he individual tulips.
After spending some time, with the tulips, I wandered into the rose garden. Right now, the roses are clearly not the main attraction, but with the amount of rain we have had this year, come April they will surely be the star of the show. Several plum trees are
still in bloom although quickly passing shedding their blossoms for leaves. Yet, still full enough to enchant. I focused in on a branch that was hanging low near the creek. After a bit of time in the rose garden, I continued my stroll over to the lake. Often there are geese and occasionally either the green heron I call Harold or white egrets, but today the lake did not hold my interest and I continued along around the lake up to the California Garden. The California Garden is the newest addition to Descanso. In stark contrast to the lower heavily water dependent lower garden, the native garden offers sparser more delicate signs that spring has arrived. Flowers are smaller contrast deeply with the scrubby browns of plants waking between periods of hibernation. The wild cucumber vines appear with their tiny white flowers drape the trees and bushes almost as jewelry. The wild cucumber green now, will appear to wither on the vine once the winter rainy season departs, but this is deceptive because the roots will horde the water to sustain during the dry summer it for another growing season. As I walked along,
I took note of contrast of greens of new oak leaves against the waxier and pricklier more mature leaves begged for a moment of appreciation. Each feature is a tool for survival, the waxy feel to the leaves prevent rapid evaporation and the prickly points discourage deer from foraging which improves survival. Although, not as showy as lower gardens, the California garden offers plenty to appreciate if you look and understand that
survival in an unpredictable and at times harsh climate is about economy. Water in the west is a precious resource that modern human residents may take for granted but the native landscape never has. Each plant has become specially adapted to conserve its resources so that it can survive and thrive in the environment. These were the thoughts that I frequently visit as I walk up path to a higher elevation. Once I reach the upper part of the garden, I turn around and take in the view. This year, our mountains have had some snowfall--higher elevations into the hundreds of inches--but our relatively lower mountains still show some rare patches of white.
I continue up a bit to see one of my favorite plants-- the flannel bush. Off to the left there is a small flannel bush that offers a close look at the different stages from flower to pod. Here the
pods are sport fuzz which is another conservation tactic, in this case, water is captured by the plant. As a regular visitor at Descanso, I have become acquainted with certain plants
and look forward to visiting them. This flannel bush is one of them. As I continued up the hill, I noticed that there was a larger flannel bush tree that I had never paid attention to before. Hard to miss now with the riot of yellow blooms demanding attention from all who pass. I stopped and chatted with a couple as we took in the blossoms.
After a few words of conversation on the glorious day we were having, we continued our separate walks. I continued on up the hill to make the loop and then headed back down and into the camilla forest. The Camillas were still blooming but have are quickly passing their season. I try to make sure that I remember the hardship that went into my enjoyment. Before Descanso was owned by LA County and operated by the Descanso Guild it belonged to Elias Boddy. Elias Boddy gradually converted his acreage from a Rancho Descanso to Descanso Gardens and began working with immigrant Japanese owners of the Star and Mission Nurseries in the late 30's to
develop a camilla garden. Then in 1942 both owners had to sell their inventory in its entirety because their lives took a tragic turn as a result of Executive Order 9066 which led to the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans in internment camps for the duration of the war. As I walk through the camilla forest, I pay my respects for each life that was impacted during this dark episode in our history. With grace and elegance, the Camillas stand in homage.
Through the camilla forest to the Japanese garden, which was sponsored by the Japanese American community, I paused as I normally do and revisited some of my favorite memories from my life in Japan before moving on to revisit the tulips once again. Here I ran into my neighbors and chatted with them for a bit and spotted several people in interesting attire for for their afternoon stroll. I stopped and chatted with a woman who was dressed in a striking green kimono and sporting a very interesting belt and necklace. I love how vibrant she looks. I also spotted a young woman with an umbrella to protect against the now afternoon sun and carrying a charming mushroom wicker bag. After 3 hours at the garden, I was ready for lunch. Scroll on down for some additional photos from the day.
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