A Walk In The Park September 2022

Did You Know? - The Huntington Desert Garden is one of the largest and oldest assemblages of cacti and other succulents in the world. Over 100 years old, it has grown from a small area on the Raymond fault scarp when in 1907-1908 William Hertrich brought in plants from local nurseries, private residences, public parks, and from collection trips to the Southwest and Mexican deserts. Today the two dozen families of succulents and other arid- adapted plants have developed into a 10-acre garden display, the Huntington's most important conservation collection, a vital mission and challenge.

The desert garden features more than 2,000 species of succulents and desert plants in sixty landscaped beds. Plants are labeled with their scientific name and geographical range. Look closely to discover the different ways succulents have adapted to cope with drought and defend themselves against enemies. Most retain water in their leaves, stems, or roots. Many protect themselves with sharp spines or thorns, and some have waxy or woolly protective coverings to reflect sunlight and decrease water loss.

Did You Know? - Some species of barrel cactus reach over 1 metre (3.3 ft) in height at maturity, and have been known to reach 3 metres (9.8 ft) in some regions. The ribs are numerous and pronounced, and the spines are long and can range in color from yellow to tan to red, depending on the age of the plant and the species. Flowers appear at the top of the plant only after many years. The barrel cactus can live to be over 100 years old.

Barrel cactus buds typically start to bloom in April with a bright yellow or orange flower. Pink and red varieties also exist but occur less frequently. The flowers only appear on the very top of the plant. As the flowers begin to wilt in early May, they may change color. A late summer desert rainstorm can produce a late bloom, as shown in the photograph below of the orange-flowered variety (it bloomed two days after a hurricane in mid-August and continued to bloom through the end of September).

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.

Did You Know? - Although they're primarily known for their stunning appearance, water lilies are actually important players in the aquatic ecosystem. These plants are found in shallow and still fresh water, as in ponds, lakes, and the edges of slow-moving streams. Because they rest on the water's surface, the flowers and pads provide shade, keeping the water cooler and preventing algae that thrive in heat from growing in excess. Water lilies also shelter fish from predatory birds and the heat of the sun.

Did You Know? - he Huntington grows more than seventy-five kinds of bamboo. Several species form dense groves and passages around the lily ponds. Most are clump-forming, which send out underground stems, called rhizomes, a short distance before sending up vertical stems; a few are running, which also send out underground stems but for a longer distance. Two large stands of Punting-pole and Beechey bamboo are prominent west of the lower ponds. Among the clumps of Beechey bamboo at the lower ponds is a specimen received in 1906 as one of Henry Huntington's first garden acquisitions.

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. One of the most popular spots at The Huntington, the Japanese Garden has attracted millions of visitors and remains a site of both fascination and contemplation.

The garden has four main areas: the North Canyon, home to a major part of the Camellia collection; the central gardens, formally styled in the Japanese tradition; the South Canyon, including the Zen Garden and Bonsai Court; and the Tea Garden and upper bonsai display.

Did You Know? - Elements of this five-room house were created in Japan and shipped to Pasadena around 1904 for a commercial garden. Acquired by Henry E. Huntington in 1911, the structure is composed of several Japanese woods, with paneled doors to the outside that can be left open or closed to allow inhabitants to enjoy the gardens around them. Inner walls can easily be moved to increase room size or privacy. During a 2011 renovation, original architectural features were discovered, such as the distinctive curves of the roof line and original plaster and wood finishes. Restored, today the structure is considered one of the best examples of early twentieth-century Japanese architecture in the United States.

Did You Know? - By the advent of World War II, staffing shortages and the political climate caused the Japanese Garden to be neglected, with parts of it inaccessible to the public, and the Japanese House fell into disrepair. In the 1950s, members of the San Marino League helped support the refurbishment of the buildings and surrounding landscape.

Did You Know? - Liu Fang Yuan ???, or the Garden of Flowing Fragrance, is one of the finest classical-style Chinese gardens outside of China. Filled with Chinese plants and framed by exquisite architecture, the landscape is enriched with references to literature and art.

Did You Know? - The Huntington is renovating and expanding its beloved historic Rose Garden Tea Room, restoring the front of the original 1911 building while creating a new outdoor dining experience and improving functionality in its service areas. The project will upgrade the indoor dining space, modernize the kitchen, develop new restrooms and adjacent areas, and create a pavilion on its eastern side, opening onto the Shakespeare Garden for outdoor dining service with breathtaking views. On the west side of the building, the room that opens out to the Herb Garden will also be renovated and made available for private events, in addition to being used for the Tea Room's general service. The project is expected to be complete in late 2022.

Did You Know? - First constructed in the 1970s, the Herb Garden contains many unusual herbs as well as many that are well known. Favorites from grandmother's day, such as Horehound, Licorice, Lavender, Mignonette, and Heliotrope, evoke happy memories for many visitors. The garden is arranged according to the uses made of the herbs: medicines; teas; wines and liqueurs; cooking, salads, and confections; cosmetics, perfumes, and soaps; potpourris and sachets; insect repellents; and dyes. Plantings in the culinary bed include several kinds of Basil, Tarragon, and Thyme as well as Marjoram, Lemongrass, Lovage, Allspice, and Oregano.