Category: California

Madame Ganna Walska’s Lotusland

In the wonderland that is California, Madame Ganna Walska’s Lotusland is as Walska herself put it: “out of this world.”

Ganna Walska was a fascinating, exotically beautiful opera singer. Born in Poland in 1887, her mother died when she was only nine, she lived with relatives until she fled Poland for Russia.  By age 20 she had married a Russian Count. She began singing opera to gain the attention of another very wealthy Russian.  She created her stage name “Ganna” a Russian form of Hannah, added “Walska” for her love of waltzing, and Madame came as a title given to known opera singers and actresses of the time.  The first half of her life was devoted to her singing, her marriages, (six in total), a career which included her very own theatre in Paris, her own special scent and a spiritual quest for personal fulfillment.  Men pursued her and her many marriages added to her fortunes....   Continue Reading

Zest for Life

Sitting on a Paris bench in May I was enjoying a view of the Eiffel Tower.  The beds of the park had been freshly dug exposing the rich dark soil and I knew colorful summer plants would be arriving soon.  An elderly woman came walking through the grass pulling her shopping cart. She stopped at the flower bed. In the bright light of day she removed her red trowel and a plastic shopping bag. Bending over she began carefully filling the bag with fresh soil....   Continue Reading

Trees Drop Stuff!

The season changes and the leaves of summer’s lovely shade begin to fall, prompting a collective groan as gardeners from the east coast to the west reach for the rake. Falling in red, yellow and brown, the leaves float down, crackling underfoot as you walk along. Yet you might count yourself lucky if leaves are all your trees drop....   Continue Reading

Virginia Robinson Mansion & Gardens

It is hard to say anything but wow, fabulous, amazing, stunning, beautiful and say it over and over and over as you tour this garden and take a brief look inside this Beverly Hills Mansion built in 1911. The docent tells you of dinner parties with Mae West, Charlie Chaplin and other famous guests hosted by Virginia Robinson.  Virginia Robinson lived nearly to 100 years and her gardens were her constant opportunity to create something beautiful.  At one point she was assisted by a staff of 17 gardeners but it was her design  eye that created the space. There is the formal Italianate garden with pool and lawn the sight of many grand parties.  The great surprise is the tropical palm garden with a mature grove of over 100 Australian King Palms.  Here Virginia would slip away to read among the under canopy plantings of gingers and clivias and plumaries in the cool shade. For her love of entertaining she had a rose cutting garden, from which she had flowers for the table, and a Potager garden providing fresh herbs and vegetables for her classically trained chef. This garden is a gem lovingly cared for by volunteers and the LA County Dept. of Parks & Rec....   Continue Reading

Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden, Claremont CA

This private non-profit garden/arboretum supports the graduate botany program of Claremont Graduate University.  There is a grand selection of California natives in their natural state.  The variety of oaks, including live oak, huckleberry oak, majestic oak makes for many happy squirrels.  The Coulter Pine produces pine cones once called “widow makers” by lumberjacks because the weight of the cone, some as much as 40lbs., could end a life if you were cracked on the head.  The cones when open are as sharp and fierce as bear claws.  July is a dry month for a visit but it gives you a clear understanding of how fire can race up a hill and engulf everything in its path.  The monarch butterflies gather at the orchid tree’s purple and white blooms.  The hummingbirds feast on the pride of madeira’s purple spikes of bloom.  Trees are featured here with a fan palm oasis of trees rising 70’ in height and with the spent leaves hanging in a thatch.  Wandering through this shaded natural area is a great walk after a long drive. The multi colored flagstone path is a beautiful pattern of colors and shapes....   Continue Reading

Self Realization Lake Shrine Meditation Garden

When the intense heat of summer kicks in we find ourselves hiding from the sun. Physically the heat slows us down, it strains our brain and finally our spirits wilt.    We need our garden for green and shade, with a bit of water rippling by and a breeze to cool us down.  Hopefully you find this right outside your back door, if not search for it in your travels....   Continue Reading

Too hot to garden?

Furnace Creek Inn, Death Valley, CA

As the summer heat wears on I wonder if I might feel cooler thinking of places that are hotter and drier than where I am.  So Death Valley National Park and Furnace Creek CA spring to mind.  Just the names sound hot and years of record high heat support its reputation of the hottest, driest, and lowest place in the U.S.   Though Death Valley was set aside as a protected area in 1933, it didn’t become a National Park until 1994.  Always curious about this fierce  sounding  place I was completely surprised by  the flowers of the park and the oasis garden at the Furnace Creek Inn.  Travel really does break apart our preconceived notions of a place....   Continue Reading

Plant People

San Diego Botanic Garden

Just before the killer cold snap last January I had managed to prune my torch bougainvillea into a heart shape topiary.  It made me smile and I eagerly looked forward to it as part of the landscape for a Valentine celebration in February.  Then nature changed my plans and the shape was lost in the freeze damage.  A topiary is a fanciful thing,  it isn’t a garden style that appeals to everyone.  It is a living work of art that requires a vision, patience and an artist using the medium of plants....   Continue Reading