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Joy Us Garden | Care, Propagation, and Pruning

Blog, Travel · 12/22/2014

Some Of The Many Gardens I’ve Visited

Nell Foster garden Tour

I love visiting gardens, any style or any size!

 

The chilly days of winter have set in . Anyone dreaming of their summer garden? Then cozy up and please let me take you on a virtual tour of some of the many gardens (13 to be exact) I’ve visited. All happen to be in California and Connecticut – I guess I’m stuck on 2 of the “C” states for this one.

We’re all overstimulated and worn down by the Christmas madness so this last post of 2014 is easy on the brain.  You’ll find lots and lots of pictures, a line or two about each garden, its link and where it’s located.  I tried to limit the pictures to three per garden – it didn’t always work!

SOUTH COAST BOTANIC GARDEN  Palos Verdes, CA. 

87 acres.  This garden, called “The Jewel of the Peninsula”, has many mature trees and shrubs with a large water feature in the middle.  The mountains in the distance were covered in snow as we stood in the rose garden with many still blooming.

South Coast Botanic Garden

Gorgeous plants in South Coast Botanic Garden

Cactus in the South Coast Botanic Garden

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Hummingbird crossing

LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARBORETUM & BOTANIC GARDEN  Arcadia, CA.   

170 acres.  We got our exercise here as we walked from the tropical greenhouse to the Cycad forest and all points in between.  There are lots of different gardens, 200 Peacocks roaming wild and the house which was used in the opening scene of Fantasy Island (dee plane!).

Flowers at Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden

Unique plants at Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden

Peacock at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Canadian Geese in the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden

Peacock in Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden

THE GETTY CENTER   Los Angeles, CA.  

The central garden, designed by an artist, is modern in style to compliment the lines of the building.  There are many sculptures on the grounds along with fabulous views of LA and the Pacific Ocean.

Garden maze at The Getty Center

Gorgeous sculpture at The Getty Center

Pathway at The Getty Center

THE SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN Santa Barbara, CA.   

65 acres.  This has a beautiful canyon setting with many native plants and serves as a role model for sustainable practices.  Plus, it’s just a few miles from home!

Gorgeous Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Greenery at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

THE SANTA BARBARA NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM  Santa Barbara, CA.   

The Butterfly Garden is a permanent netted enclosure which is home to over 1000 butterflies and all the plants they love.  The exhibit runs for 4-5 months every year.

Gorgeous butterflies at the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum

Monarch butterfly on a flower at Santa Barbara Natural History Museum

Butterfly in a flower at Santa Barbara Natural History Museum

 WHITE FLOWER FARM   Litchfield, CT.  

This has a beautiful rural setting nestled in the rolling hills of Litchfield County close to where I grew up. Yes, this is the iconic nursery with a huge online presence.

Hydrangeas at Santa Barbara Natural History Museum

Field of red flowers at Santa Barbara Natural History Museum

Large pottery in Santa Barbara Natural History Museum

GLEBE HOUSE  Woodbury, CT.  

This is also very close to where I grew up.  The effigy in the wheelbarrow is Gertrude Jekyll, the famous British garden designer and author who did the plans for this small but sweet garden.

Gardens at the Glebe House

Statue in the garden at the Glebe House

BELLAMY-FERRIDAY HOUSE & GARDEN   Bethlehem, CT.  

Another beautiful rural setting with a small formal garden, sweeping lawn views and gorgeous stonework.

Beautiful stone work at Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden

Garden statues at Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden

FLORENCE GRISWOLD MUSEUM  Old Lyme, CT.   

This lovely riverside setting was home for artists (many painted “en plein air”) who were part of the bustling Lyme Art Colony of the early 20th Century.  The beds were full of flowers, and like at the LA Arboretum & the SB Botanic Garden, we got to see a Patrick Dougherty creation.

Outdoor sculptures at Florence Griswold Museum

Florence Griswold Museum

Wildflowers at Florence Griswold Museum

 

STUDIO 80 + SCULPTURE GROUND  Old Lyme, CT.   

This garden, which is next door to the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, has many diverse pieces of sculpture and is the working space of Gilbert V. Boro.

Large shell sculptures at Studio 80 and Sculpture Ground

Studio 80 + Sculpture Ground

Wall art at Studio 80 and Sculpture Ground

SHERMAN LIBRARY & GARDENS  Corona Del Mar, CA.  

This garden is on California’s famed Pacific Coast Highway right in the middle of town. Lots of color, bromeliads, wall ferns, wide walkways & an artistic succulent succulent garden all add to its appeal.

Wall garden at Sherman Arts

Sherman Library & Gardens

Gorgeous plants at Sherman Library & Gardens

Beautiful purple flowers at Sherman Library & Gardens

Sherman Library & Gardens

ALTA VISTA GARDENS  Vista, CA.  

This garden, set on a hillside, incorporates nature and art – most of which is for sale.  It is a garden for the community and often hosts events.  As quite a bit is unfinished, it seems to be a work in progress.

Sculptures at Alta VIsta Garden

Flower sculpture at Alta Vista Garden

Sherman Library & Gardens

Banana tree at Sherman Library & Gardens

SAN DIEGO BOTANIC GARDEN  Encinitas, CA.   

37 acres.  The diverse topography and numerous trails take you from the bamboo grove to the tropical rainforest to the undersea succulent garden.  You will also find numerous pieces of sculpture here as well.

San Diego Botanic Garden

Bamboo in San Diego

San Diego Botanic Garden

San Diego Botanic Garden flowers

Sherman Library & Gardens

Sherman Library & Gardens

Nell in Sherman Library & Gardens

May 2015 find you joyfully, and organically, in your garden or someone else’s!

Signed by Nell Foster

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Hi, I’m Nell, and this is where I celebrate all things garden and share my passion for plants, flowers and the great outdoors. Oh, I love to create so you’ll find a bit of that in the mix along with lots of videos too. I’m tickled pink to have you here!

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