Research Garden DesignBrowse photos, get design ideas & see the hottest plants
The Botanical Gardens at The Huntington have been enthrall visitor for generations . Some of the original landscape have become iconic , including the 103 - year - old Nipponese Garden and the immense and botanically diverse Desert Garden . But newer and less well make out domain of the garden are well worth explore too . Scott Kleinrock , landscape plan and planning coordinator at The Huntington , percentage with us his own lean of must - see . For new and rejoin visitant , these sometimes off - the - beaten - path excursion reveal great illustration of low - water - use plants , plentiful cultural experiences , and more .
1 . Modern entry gardens
Six and a half landed estate of new entering garden open this outpouring in the Steven S. Koblik Education and Visitor Center . come visitors are welcome by masses of colored drought - tolerant plants ( replace athirst lawn ) , offering inhalation and ideas for landscaping with humble - water - habit plants and California aboriginal . Kleinrock worked closely with landscape architect Cheryl Barton and her team on the excogitation of the new entry garden , which reflect the natural chronicle of the area and the place ’s agrarian ascendant as well as the estate ’s more stately European landscape tradition .
2 . Hands - on scientific discipline
Inside the immersive and wonder - filled space of The Rose Hills Foundation Conservatory for Botanical Science , children and families can engage in scientific exploration of plant from around the world . The 16,000 - hearty - understructure nursery contain three different habitats — a lowland tropical rainfall forest , a cloud timberland , and a carnivorous industrial plant bog — and a plant lab with experiment Stations of the Cross focusing on the routine of leaves , staunch , roots , flowers , and other plant parts . visitor can measure and compare the percentage of sugar in different nectars using a refractometer , subject field algae under a microscope , take a peek inside the digestive organisation of a carnivorous pitcher works , and more .
3 . industrial plant from “ Down Under ”
Somewhat off the beat out course in the lower part of the garden , the Australian Garden ’s naturalistic 5 - Akka expanse of trees and inflorescence shrubs offer a pleasant dividing line to the manicured flower beds located elsewhere on the grounds . Many of the Australian natives planted here — callistemon ( bottle brushwood ) , acacia , grevillea , kangaroo paws , and others — are well suited to Southern California ’s juiceless climate , offering a wonderful root of ideas for local gardeners .
4 . A Classical Taiwanese Landscape
visitant will think they ’ve been delight to another time and place after just a few minutes in Liu Fang Yuan , the Garden of Flowing Fragrance . revolutionize by the Ming dynasty scholar ’ gardens of Suzhou , China , this classical landscape painting feature a complex of pavilions work up by artisans from China , situated around a tumid and picturesque lake . The landscape highlights plants native to China , including pines , plum tree and peach trees , Egyptian water lily , camellias , willow , bamboo , and many others . The garden is frequently animate by public presentation of traditional Chinese music and opera . Chinese tea and other refreshments can be enjoyed in the teahouse overlook the lake .
5 . An Experiment in Urban Agriculture
raise sustainable horticulture practices is the mission of the Ranch Garden , an urban agricultural project that explores optimal approaches to garden in Southern California ’s regional ecosystems and clime . Part classroom and part inquiry laboratory , the Ranch Garden draws breathing in from The Huntington ’s agricultural heritage , while making connections with nurseryman , aboriginal plant enthusiasts , landscape professionals , educators , and research worker throughout Southern California . The Ranch is not open to everyday visitors but can be self - toured during open sign events on the 4th Saturday of most months . See thewebsite calendarfor item .
For more info , visithuntington.org .
