Author: Daydream Under The Stars

Summer Series: the Japanese Garden

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The Huntington Botanical Gardens Summer Series

The Japanese Garden

The Tea House and Pagodas

The 9-acre Japanese Garden was created in 1912. At this time, some World fairs – like Philadelphia’s Fair in 1876 and Chicago’s Fair in 1893 – sold the Asia culture to the West. It became fashionable to have a Japanese Garden.

Henry Huntington didn’t start buying one plant but an entire commercial tea garden, the Marsh Tea Garden located in Pasadena. It included the Tea House, varieties of plants, and stones. Then, he hired, Toichiro Kawai, a Japanese carpenter to developed it. Hence the Torii gate, the tower holding the bell, and the Moon Bridge were added.

Japanese Garden’s gateway with half-dog, half-lion statues

Did you know?

The Bonsai Garden includes an oak tree from actress Gloria Stuart (Titanic)

During your promenade, look at some traditional, aesthetics, and spiritual elements like the pair of half-dog half-lion at the entrance, the Moon Bride, the Zen Court, and the Seifu-An tea house (Arbor of Pure Breeze).

Did you know?

The wisteria and Sago Plants were planted in 1912
Sago Plants

SPOILER ALERT: A 320-years old house from the Yokoi family will be moved from Marugame (Japan) to the garden in early 2021. I’m thrilled to discover this historic and traditional residence! Stay tuned!

Ready to explore the Japanese Garden?

*COVD-19 update as of October 2020*

  1. Online reservation required (every Tuesday at noon).
  2. The gardens are open and the galleries remained closed.
  3. All visitors must respect health and safety protocols.

Tips:

  • Location: The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
  • Hours: 10am-5pm. Closed on Tuesday. Summer evening walks: 4:30 pm- 7pm.
  • Admission: $25 on weekdays and $29 on weekend for adults.
  • Duration: from 2 hours to the day
  • Parking: Free on-site lot
  • You can’t bring food inside but the Café provides dining options
  • More information available at https://www.huntington.org/

Article based on my visits in 2019 and 2020

If you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment and share it with a traveler visiting Los Angeles.

Summer Series: Liu Fang Yuan, the Chinese Garden

Published on by Daydream Under The Stars3 Comments

The Huntington Botanical Gardens Summer Series

Liu Fang Yuan, the Chinese Garden

Waveless Boat (Bu Bo Xiao Ting)

The 3.5 acres soon to be 12 acres Chinese Garden was created in 2008. After its extension in 2020, it will be the largest Chinese-style gardens outside China (total cost estimated $53 million).

The Garden of Flowing Fragrance – Liu = Flowing, Fang = Fragrance, Yuan = Garden – is based on a Suzhou style garden.

Isle of Alighting Geese (Luo Yan Zhou)

Suzhou is a city located West of Shanghai which includes 60 gardens recognized by UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Jade Ribbon Bridge (Yu Dai Qiao)

Suzhou gardens are mini-scale of nature featuring waters, plants, and stones to represent mountains, rivers, and flora.

Over six months, more than 60 artisans from Suzhou worked to create Liu Fang Yuan using a lot of materials directly sourced in China.

Yu Ming Tang: Hall of the Jade Camellia

As you enter, the Wall of Colorful Clouds (Jing Yun Bi), discover Ying Fang Hu, the Lake of Reflected Fragrance surrounding by pavilions, bridges, and rocks.

Did you know?

Like Japanese Bonsai, the Penzai are mini-scale potted trees but they are stylistically different.

Ready to explore the Garden of Flowing Fragrance?

Lake of Reflected Fragrance (Ying Fang Hu)

*COVD-19 update as of September 2020*

  1. Online reservation required (every Tuesday at noon).
  2. The gardens are open and the galleries remained closed.
  3. All visitors must respect health and safety protocols.

Tips:

  • Location: The Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
  • Hours: 10am-5pm. Closed on Tuesday. Summer evening walks 4:30 pm- 7pm.
  • Admission: $25 on weekdays and $29 on weekends for adults.
  • Duration: from 2 hours to the day
  • Parking: Free on-site lot
  • You can’t bring food inside but the Café provides dining options
  • More information available at https://www.huntington.org/

Article based on my visits in 2019 and 2020

If you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment and share it with a traveler visiting Los Angeles.

The Huntington Botanical Gardens : Nature Show Time

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1 minute read

Stroll over 120 acres of gardens and marvel at 15,000 different varieties of plants. Welcome to the Huntington Botanical Gardens!

I discover this botanical garden in 2019 and WOW. It is an explosion of colors, diversity, and varieties of flora. Every time I step in, its a new exploration. New paths, new blooming flowers, new hidden spots, new species.

This article is a quick introduction to the 16 gardens.

To continue the exploration, check out the summer series of short articles highlighting some of my favorites gardens: the Desert Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden, and the Chinese Garden.

A pinch of history

  • In 1903, Henry Huntington purchased a 600-acres ranch for $240,000.
  • Henry Huntington and superintendent William Hertrich developed the gardens.
  • The musical Mame with Lucille Ball (1974) was the first movie shot in the garden.

Back in 1905, Henry Huntington hired William Hertrich as a landscape gardener. Together, they transformed the ranch and created most of the gardens we are enjoying today.

First, William started a nursery and developed an irrigation system. Then he purchased a large variety of plants from nurseries, public parks, and private residences. He also traveled, especially to Mexico to complete the collection.

Did you know?


There is a cryopreservation lab to preserve rare plant germplasm in liquid nitrogen (-196°C).

Today, the Huntington Garden encompasses 16 different gardens: Desert Garden, Australian Garden, California Garden, Camellia Garden, Children’s Garden, Desert Garden, Herb Garden, Japanese Garden, Jungle Garden, Lily Ponds, Palm Garden, Ranch Garden, Rose Garden, Shakespeare Garden, and Subtropical Garden. Wow!

Did you know?


Monet’s Giverny home in France inspired the lily ponds.
The Chinese Garden: Liu Fang Yuan

Did you know?

There was
a private railroad on the property to deliver Mr. Huntington’s plants and art purchases.

Ready to explore the Huntington Botanical Gardens?

*COVD-19 update as of September 2020*

  1. Online reservation required (every Tuesday at noon).
  2. The gardens are open and the galleries remained closed.
  3. All visitors must respect health and safety protocols.

Tips:

  • Location: The Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
  • Hours: 10am-5pm. Closed on Tuesday. Summer evening walks 4:30 pm- 7pm.
  • Admission: $25 on weekdays and $29 on weekends for adults.
  • Duration: 2 hours and more
  • Parking: Free on-site lot
  • You can’t bring food inside but the Café provides dining options
  • More information available at https://www.huntington.org/

Article based on my visits in 2019 and 2020

If you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment and share it with a traveler visiting Los Angeles.