A soft rain was falling early this morning, but that never keeps me away.  In fact, being at the garden in the rain is one of my favorite times to visit.  It's peaceful, quiet, the air is fresh and the colors appear more saturated.  Today my husband joined me to walk and enjoy each other's company before breakfast at Maple, Descanso's weekend-exclusive restaurant.  If you have the opportunity to go, you must try the beignets.  Dipped in Vermont Maple Syrup, they are absolutely heavenly!  Today I saw the first blossoms on the cherry trees.  Soon they will will be covered in dainty pink flowers.  Nature is gearing up for her springtime spectacular and she never disappoints.

The garden is never the same on any given day.  Each visit brings a new experience and today the warm Santa Ana winds swept through the oak forest enabling them to "talk" in an audible language.  I was enveloped in a symphony of rustling leaves and birdsong.  Every time I visit Descanso, I always experience something magical.  Today, just on the edge of the camellia forest, I spotted a beautiful swallowtail butterfly flitting about from flower to flower.  She was a bit far away, but I stood quietly and gently asked her if she would mind coming just a little bit closer.  Within a moment, she flew onto some green leaves right in front of me, spread her delicate wings and held still long enough for me to take her photo.  When she was ready to go, she flew away to continue about her business of nectaring on the sweet camellia flowers, and I thanked her for her graciousness.  Besides my encounter with the magical butterfly, I came across a colorful heart made out of camellia flowers.  When the camellia trees drop their flowers, you can usually find messages hidden throughout the gardens made out of the fallen flowers.  I am sure they were created by the fairies who inhabit this enchanted garden!

The rains bring a unique kind of beauty to the gardens.  The flowers bow their heads heavy with water droplets, and the oak trees create a sprinkle of showers below as the wind blows through their rain soaked leaves.  Underneath the oaks, graceful calla lilies have started to emerge unfolding in an ethereal vision of pure white against the earth toned backdrop of the forest.  This is an enchanted time to walk through the camellia trees which are canopied by magnificent oaks.  The camellia forest is in full bloom and displays pure white flowers along with vibrant shades of pink and red just in time for Valentine's Day.  It's like walking through a fairy tale!  Throughout the rose garden bright yellow daffodils are popping up everywhere spreading their message of new beginnings, rebirth and an introduction to mother earth who is now beginning to burst forth with new life.  

Signs of spring are everywhere in the garden and I can already see the change in the morning light.  We are now at the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.  The hellebores are blooming and the daffodils are popping up out of the ground.  Mother earth is awakening with new life.  It's a time to celebrate the passing of winter as we prepare to make way for the magic of spring and the return of the sun.  

It's almost February and the time of year when the days are starting to become longer and the earth begins to awaken from its winter slumber.  The gardens are already starting to show signs life and we anticipate the beauty of what is to come.  These are some images from Descanso Gardens and the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, January 28 & 29, 2017.

Images from Descanso Gardens, January 21, 2017

Listening to the rain falling down through the oaks at Descanso Gardens today.