March 2017 Visit To The Huntington

Did You Know? - The first garden established in 1904 by William Hertrich had natural springs that emerged from rocks on the Raymond Hill Fault. The solution to an unsightly gully in the southeast corner of the gardens, the four acres that make up the lily ponds were a perfect place to build two large and three small ponds. The pond water, which is circulated and recycled, is home to turtles, bullfrogs, Japanese koi, aquatic plants, and an occasional mallard family.

After centuries of cultivation, today's water lilies are a mixture of many cultivated kinds. They bloom in various hues from mid-spring through mid-autumn. Along the shores of the uppermost pond is the very same type of papyrus that was used to make writing paper in ancient Egypt.

Did You Know? - Callistemon species have commonly been referred to as bottle brushes because of their cylindrical, brush like flowers resembling a traditional bottle brush.

They are mostly found in the more temperate regions of Australia, especially along the east coast and typically favor moist conditions so when planted in gardens thrive on regular watering. However, two species are found in Tasmania and several others in the south-west of Western Australia. At least some species are drought-resistant and some are used in ornamental landscaping elsewhere in the world.

Did You Know? - Both the flowers and leaves can be used to make an aromatic tea. The fresh blossoms do give a sweeter flavor than leaves. Aging the harvested leaves for two weeks helps as this breaks down the cell walls, allowing more of the flavorful compounds to escape into the tea. Flowers, being more delicate, do not benefit any from being aged and ideally are used fresh off the tree.

You can also use the leaves and flowers of the bottle brush tree similar in manner to bay or rosemary leaves. Add several to a sauce, stew, or roasting meat to add an exotic flavor.

Did You Know? - For over a century, the historic Japanese Garden has been one of the most beloved and iconic landscapes at The Huntington, with its distinctive moon bridge, picture-postcard views of koi-filled ponds and the historic Japanese House. Since the institution opened to the public in 1928, the Japanese Garden, has attracted more than 20 million visitors and remains a site of both fascination and contemplation.

Did You Know? - Wisteria (also spelled Wistaria or Wysteria) is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae (Leguminosae), that includes ten species of woody climbing bines native to the Eastern United States and to China, Korea, and Japan. Some species are popular ornamental plants.

Did You Know? - Wisteria frutescens (American wisteria) twins clockwise as Wisteria floribunda (Japanese wisteria).

Did You Know? - The camellia plant is native to China, Japan and other parts of Asia. Its usual form is a large shrub, but you may also prune it to one or a few main stems, eventually producing a small tree. Camellias can be extraordinarily long-lived, with some specimens well over 200 years old. The plant's evergreen leaves are several inches wide and a deep, shiny green. Its showy flowers are 2 to 5 inches across and white, red, pink or variegated, depending on the variety. They appear from fall through spring, last for several weeks and have many petals and a form reminiscent of a rose or peony.

• Tea oil made from camellia seeds is a popular and essential cooking oil for millions of people, especially those that live in southern China
• Sacramento, California is nicknamed the Camellia City
• The Camellia is Alabama?s state flower
• Camellia represents adoration, devotion and loveliness
• Camellia leaves have been used in Asian traditional herbal medicine