Descanso Gardens, December 23, 2019

Descanso Gardens, December 23, 2019

It was a wonderful, rainy day to visit Descanso Gardens. I haven’t been getting here as often as I did over the past several years since I have been spending more time in the mountains. But I do miss coming to this garden and photographing it through all seasons of the year. Descanso has changed quite a bit since I became a member in 2010. Right now they are set up for Enchanted Garden of Light which is a seasonal, holiday light display that draws in large crowds. The garden isn’t as peaceful as it once was, but I do still enjoy coming here when I’m able. There’s always a bit of magic to be found.

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Descanso Gardens, September 2, 2019

Descanso Gardens, September 2, 2019

Today was my birthday and if I’m not hiking on this day, I’m usually at Descanso Gardens doing my photography. My husband and I had a lovely walk around the garden this morning and then breakfast at the Maple café. I can tell the seasons are getting ready to change. I’ve been coming here since 2010 and can see the subtle changes in the light, the plants, the smells. I can feel a hint of autumn in the air even though the weather is still warm. Also, in mid to late August, the spiders make themselves known. It’s as if they’re making themselves visible to let it be known that the wheel of the year is turning towards the darker days. It’s a wonderful time of year. I love liminal times and I’m always excited for autumn. It’s my favorite season.

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Descanso Gardens, January 27, 2019

Descanso Gardens, January 27, 2019

Today was a beautiful day to visit Descanso Gardens. As always, it was full of magic. Hellebores were blooming and the daffodils were right on schedule. It’s such a fairytale-like feeling walking through the camellia forest. What a wonderful Sunday morning!

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Descanso Gardens, December 23, 2018

Descanso Gardens, December 23, 2018

I woke up Sunday morning feeling inspired. It had been a while since I’d last visited Descanso Gardens. I used to go there every weekend to take photos of the flowers, the trees, the plants, and through the years, I’ve come to know the garden with it’s changing seasons quite intimately. Now that I’ve been spending most of my weekends hiking, I just don’t have as much time to spend visiting the garden. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed being here until my walk this morning. It felt so refreshing and it was, as usual, beautiful. I’m going to make it a plan in the new year to create a balance so that I can still set aside some time to visit this enchanted place.

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Descanso Gardens, March 30, 2018

Descanso Gardens, March 30, 2018

I had the day off on Friday so I headed out to Descanso Gardens to do some photography and catch the tail end of the tulip bloom.  I haven’t been getting there nearly as much since we started hiking every weekend, but I did want to at least check out the spring bloom.  Here are just a few photos from my trek around the gardens.  Not nearly as many images as I took last year when we had the big super bloom, but still very pretty and always an enjoyable way to spend an hour or two.
 

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Descanso Gardens, Oak Woodland, August 5, 2017

Descanso Gardens, Oak Woodland, August 5, 2017

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.  
 

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In the spirit of Lughnasadh, Descanso Gardens, July 29, 2017

In the spirit of Lughnasadh, Descanso Gardens, July 29, 2017

As the wheel continues to turn, August 1st marks the halfway point between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox.  At this time of year, my home garden is full of blooming flowers and an abundance of butterflies.  It’s a beautiful time of year and I’ve been blessed by the nature spirits with a modest, but healthy wildlife habitat for hummingbirds, butterflies and other critters who have been enjoying the garden.  With Lughnasadh only a few days away, I paid a visit to my favorite magical garden, Descanso.  I walked down the promenade and made a quick pass through the rose garden.  But I spent most of my time in my favorite section, the native plant the garden.  Here is where you can best appreciate the warm tones of summer with the buckwheats starting to brown and the intoxicating fragrance of sage.  I also found many spider webs nestled in the trees.  It is this time of year when I usually begin to see more intricate webbing in the oaks.  They know the days are slowly beginning to shorten, and although it is still hot, the summer will soon be coming to a close.

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Welcoming Summer, Descanso Gardens, June 24, 2017

Welcoming Summer, Descanso Gardens, June 24, 2017

We've now reached the peak of the solar year.  The wheel is turning and the days, although warmed by the power of the sun will gradually become shorter as it begins to wane.  For those in tune with nature, we hear her whispering her promise to return to darker days.  But there is plenty to celebrate at this time.  The natural world is full of activity.  Butterflies and bees grace our blooming gardens and the earth changes her colors to shades of golden yellow, bright orange and soft, sable brown.  Summer is in full swing and there is much time to be spent outdoors enjoying the warmth of the sun by day and gazing at the endless stars in the night sky.

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