It was a very nice surprise to discover roses still in bloom at The Brooklyn Botanic Garden. I couldn’t help but stand and take in the sweet fragrance knowing it would be the last time until they bloom again next year. The pastel pinks and yellows stood out against the brown color tones that are taking over for winter. I found a late blooming Foxglove which reminded me of spring when the carpenter bees would would be gathering pollen from the bell-shaped flowers. Some roses in the garden now bore fruit or rosehips which will serve as a food source for birds and squirrels. Many plants have gone to seed and the garden puts on a different kind of display. While some may think this is not a very interesting time to go to a botanic garden, I beg to differ. This living museum holds an abundance of dried flowers, seeds and plants. There are different shapes and textures to explore and discover. The birds are easier to spot as they dart in and out of the leafless trees, plants and shrubs. It is now time for the conifers to take centerstage, with their wintergreen needles and boughs.
I wandered through the different conservatories impressed by a magical display of Bonsai trees (which I should have photographed but did not - perhaps next time.) I entered the Desert Pavilion and came upon a Creosote Bush whose aromatic leaves took me back to my days hiking in the Mojave in Joshua Tree National Park. In that moment I felt grateful and happy knowing I can come here and visit this plant whenever I want to be reminded of my home in Southern California. The desert holds may wonderful memories. If I close my eyes and inhale the aroma of Creosote I can travel back to that beautiful landscape and dream of desert rain.
These days I’m finding myself being drawn more to the native California landscape. Since I’m from the east coast where gardens are much different, and because I also love the look of the English style cottage garden, I was constantly trying to replicate some smaller version of that at home. But but this year I switched gears. I started to incorporate native plants, spend more time learning about them and introduce them into my garden. The Oak Woodland and California Native Garden at Descanso have a completely different kind of beauty and I am seeing it through different eyes. I recommend taking a walk through them and I guarantee you will fall in love with our California landscape.
Woke up to a very cloudy morning with some slight drizzle. I’d already planned on going back to the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants to pick up a few more items for my butterfly garden and also take another trek up Wild Flower Hill. Along the nature trail all the plants are tagged with their names, so it’s a It’s a great way to learn about them. After a short hike up the hill, I spent some time in the nursery contemplating what additions to add to my garden. I came home with a few selections: red fairy duster, aster chilensis 'point saint george' and verbena lilacina. I’m sure the butterflies are going to enjoy them! Here are some images from my short hike today.
This past weekend I visited the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants. It’s a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and use of California native flora. The Foundation preserves the lifetime work of Theodore Payne who was a horticulturist and conservationist. He is considered to be the founding father of the native plant movement in California.
At my home I have a garden dedicated to butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. One of the biggest complaints I’ve had since starting my garden is that it can be difficult to find native plants at the local garden center. Nowadays plants are bred to be showy. They look lovely with their double flower heads and sound charming with their fancy names, but these varieties have been cultivated by breeders and you would never find them growing naturally in nature. Tampering with a native plant can comprise the benefit it has for wildlife. For example, a flower that has been cultivated with a double flower head will make it difficult or perhaps even impossible for a butterfly or bee to get to the nectar or pollen. The Foundation was the answer to my problem! The retail nursery at the Foundation has the largest selection of California native plants in the region. What a better way to sustain my butterflies, bees and hummingbirds then with the beautiful native California flora!
After perusing the nursery and purchasing some great additions for my garden. I made my way up Wild Flower Hill. You can gain access to this ¾ mile nature trail from the nursery. The trail takes you on a journey through the common plants we have here in our area, and it is also home to an abundance of wildlife and birds. Here are some of the images from my trek.
Spring and Summer are my favorite time of year to explore the California Native section of Descanso Gardens. This garden was designed by Theodore Payne, an English horticulturist, landscape designer and botanist. The California Natives Garden hosts the majestic Matilija poppies as well as sticky monkey flowers, sacred datura, California poppies, woolly blue curls, California buckwheat, and Cleveland sage just to name a few. There is always something new to learn and discover here.
