Others go to see the library or the famous art collection, but gardeners go to the Huntington to view the amazing desert garden, sit in the rose garden or marvel at the formal design of the North Vista camellia garden, which includes hundreds of camellias along flanked rows of 17th- and 18th-century statues of mythological figures.

The Huntington was founded early in the 20th century by railroad tycoon Henry Edwards Huntington. It’s in an old Pasadena neighborhood, which is full of stately homes, although not far off a traffic-laden street. Amazing that in this built-up area of Southern California, 120 acres were saved as gardens. There is a garden to every taste: a bonsai collection, a Japanese garden, a conservatory, a palm garden, and a rose garden. Visit the Australian garden and learn what grows down under, and stroll through the Shakespeare garden — just in case you want to see all the plants mentioned in his writings.

Of all the gardens, the desert display, 10 acres alone, is one of the most talked about. It dates back to 1907 and contains significant collections of, among other plant groups, agaves, aloes and euphorbias (euphorbias that are native to Africa look just like cacti).

It would be difficult to see all the gardens in one day, so it’s best to pick and choose.

Written by  Marty Wingate.

Add comment

Comments, reviews and questions

There are no posts. Why not be the first to have your say?

Add a comment, review or question

Make a comment Ask a question Write a review

Review title

Your comment

Your rating

Choose rating... Don't go Go Must go

Your name

Your email address