Friday, December 4, 2015

Huntington Fridays from 2014, a sequel

On December 22, 2014, I made my third visit to the Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA. The front entry was torn up for a remodel so we entered the garden from a point unfamiliar to me.

It was wonderful, to be forced to get my bearings again in a garden I thought I knew.

This visit was also special, in that it was the first time I would be wandering at my own pace, seeing what I wanted to see as I wanted to see it. Andrew was there with me but he chose to visit the museums rather than the gardens, and we'd purposely visited alone, with no family in tow.

I believe this may be Tupidanthus calyptratus aka Schefflera pueckleri? No, thanks to a comment below I know this is Schefflera actinophylla.

And this!

A kind of poinsettia?

Being up on the balcony afforded a view I hadn't seen before.

Dombeya wallichii, aka Pink Ball Tree

As you probably gathered from the title of this blog post I am, once again, dedicating successive Fridays to writing about my visit to the Huntington (I did it first back in 2012: Ch 1, Ch 2Ch 3Ch 4). Today we're looking at the entry as well as the Palm and Jungle Gardens. Next week and the week after we'll be in the Australian Garden, and the following two weeks the Desert Garden. Too much of a good thing? Well, I certainly don't think so.

Just like I can never get too much of this Bismarckia nobilis...

A view with a very different feel than the Desert Garden, so lush and tropical in feel...

I sat for a moment on that bench and made a phone call, I remember it was warm even in the shade (on December 22nd!).

Phlebodium pseudoaureum?

Billbergia 'Huntington'

Aechmea cylindrata Aechmea gamosepala

I don't think I've actually paused to appreciate the pond on previous visits.

Or noticed that crazy Bromeliad (Puya?)

Next week, Australia! (or at least a California version)

All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

30 comments:

  1. So lovely! I really want to spend 3-4 days at the Huntington some day, not only to explore the gardens but also the library and museums.

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    1. That (3-4 days) would be wonderful. What a luxury!

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  2. My neighbor has a tree-sized Poinsettia like that in her back garden. I can't say I like it but it is colorful this time of year.

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    1. The plant is so etched into our brains as a sign of Christmas I can't imagine living with it in July. Is it in bloom then?

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  3. Thank you for a lovely uplifting SUNNY walk , with terrific planting, which has brightened this dreary UK December day considerably!

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    1. Glad I could help! It's a bit dreary here in Portland, Oregon, too. I love having sunny photos to edit on days like this.

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  4. I haven't been there for 20 years, so I am looking forward to your posts.

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  5. Very impressive as always.

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  6. Ohh that bromeliad next to the pond!!! and the views from the balcony are impressive!

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  7. Thanks for continuing the tour, Loree. I love every photo and every plant. That blue-silver palm is so great and I'm in love with that silver bromeliad-like plant, sunning itself on the rock. On my must-visit list!

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    1. As I mentioned above I've visited 3 times, yet there are huge parts of the gardens I've never seen. Someday I hope to see it all...

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  8. It's a Schefflera actinophylla, S. pueckleri blooms aren't as colorful or showy, and yes it's a Poinsettia, they get tree sized if they don't freeze. The bromeliad isnt Ae. cylindrata, but Aechmea gamosepala.

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  9. So gorgeous! Having never been there, I love your posts about the Huntington! Like you, I can never get enough of Bismarckia nobilis and so wish we could grow it here. Thanks for the warmth on such a chilly day.

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    1. You're so welcome...and you really need to get yourself down to visit in person!

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  10. Thanks Loree for your post. It feels like a birthday present to visit the Huntington again. Frequenting this place is one of the few things I miss about LA and surely the magical world where I could revel in many of my passions: art, books, architecture and an orgy of botanicals…especially succulents! So happy you're sharing your experience

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    1. If I lived near I wonder if I would start to take it for granted? I can't imagine...

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  11. We go quite often, and I haven't tired of it yet. I notice now what has grown, been removed, newly planted. It is a luxury indeed to make regular visits. Met a lady last I was there who walks there every day to docent. Can you imagine?

    Doesn't that Bismarkia take your breath away?

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    1. I can imagine! That would be heavenly. (and yes, breath taken - every time)

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  12. Never too much of a good thing when we're talking about a botanical garden! Whenever I travel, I make it a point to visit as many botanical gardens and "plant places" as possible. If I get to San Marino, I'll check out this one. Thanks for sharing the highlights!

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    1. We're planning a trip to Nebraska in late spring. It's where Andrew's from and he wants to share it with me. Since I too believe in visiting local botanical gardens where ever we travel I mentioned that I'd better start researching the area. His facial expression told me I'd better not get my hopes up.

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  13. Beautiful! Dream of volunteering there when I retire. SoCal is so lucky to have a place like the Huntington.

    There are two Bismarckias around the corner from me, but not that breathtaking color.

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    1. Interesting, not all that lovely powder blue? That's too bad.

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  14. Hmmm...if you can post a 2014 visit there, I can post my 2014 visit...even if that was Jan '14. I might never get tired of the Huntington, and I enjoyed most parts. I remember the pond, but not as you showed that one...worth a re-look there, too.

    In fact, I intend to spend at least 1 full day at the Getty in all the garden spaces.

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    1. Yes, share! Your commentary will be fabulous I'm sure. I've never managed to make it to the Getty, someday!

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  15. You weren't REALLY alone, cuz all of us were tagging along.

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  16. This looks like my kind of heaven.

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