Camelias And Azaleas At Descanso Gardens

I recently was in California for a few work projects and had a wonderful opportunity to visit the Camelias And Azaleas At Descanso Gardens. I hope you enjoy this beautiful tour. 

Camelias And Azaleas At Descanso Gardens

Descanso Gardens is a beautiful paradise just 20 minutes away from Los Angeles. E. Manchester Boddy purchased the land in 1937 and hired the architect to the stars, James E. Dolena, to build his dream home. Boddy was a camelia enthusiast and and often purchased from F.M. Uyematsu of Star Nursery and Fred and Mitoko Yoshimura of Mission Nursery. Both were cultivating camellias in Southern California before World War II. Sadly, during the war both the Uyematsu and Yoshimura families needed to sell their entire collection to Boddy as they were placed in Japanese internment camps. In 1953, Boddy sold the Rancho del Descanso estate to Los Angeles County with the stipulation the collection must remain intact and it became a public garden. 

Our tour guide of these amazing gardens was my dear friend Charlotte Randall Yerke. She volunteers at the garden on a regular basis. 

Charlotte was the script supervisor and dialogue coach for eight seasons on the original Little House on the Prairie (LHOTP) series. If you ever get the chance to hear her speak her stories of her time on the show are amazing!

We began the tour by viewing the delightful miniature garden train exhibit. 

The foxgloves in this area were amazing!

The spring tulips were at the end of their blooming season. 

These ruffled beauties were my favorite!

Camelia Forest

The camelia forest was awash in blooms. 

The historic shrubs grown by the Uyematsu and Yoshimura families have special markers. 

The azaleas were in glorious bloom as well. 

I couldn’t resist capturing this lovely portrait of Charlotte.

We stopped to sit on a favorite bench of Charlotte’s. It is dedicated to Bob Ulrich who was a beloved cameraman and camera operator on LHOTP and a good friend to many. 

Japanese Garden

Paying tribute to the Japanese community, this section of the garden was created in 1966. It was designed by Eijiro Nunokawa and built by Frank Kuwahara, as well as numerous all-volunteer labor and funding provided by the Japanese-American community.

I could watch koi for hours. 

 

From there were wandered through the hilltop garden is located near the Boddy home and features beautiful old growth trees. 

Rose Garden

Our visit ended in the rose garden which was done in the English garden style. 

There were several types of irises blooming in the rose garden as well. 

Such a glorious day with friends Charlotte and LHOTP creative director Olan Paz.

As the weather was quite hot that day I had purchase the paper parasols HERE. 

  

From there we went and enjoyed refreshments at the Tea Rose Garden in Pasadena. 

Our dear friend, Todd McCraw, joined in the fun. Truly a glorious day!

Have a beautiful day,

Laura