Spring in Descanso Gardens ~ Part I

Descanso Gardens

Primavera! 

And, apparently, it's not really springtime until I have used Vivaldi's Primvera, in a post! So here goes!

I mentioned in the previous post, my determination to hit up all the big gardens around. Well, last Monday, it was a bit cloudy but since I had the day off, I was willing the sun to shine. As soon as I saw it was trying to peak through … I jumped in the car and headed out to La Cañada to Descanso Gardens. 

They have a little walk up window with some nice salads and wraps, and a lovely area to sit ...

I will be the gladdest thing under the sun!

I will touch a hundred flowers and not pick one.

~Edna St. Vincent Millay

I must have flowers,

always, 

and 

always.

~Claude Monet

Just as the acorn contains the mighty oak tree,

the Self has everything it needs

to fulfill its destiny.

When the inner conditions are right,

it naturally emerges.

~Derek Rydall

A garden to walk in

and immensity to dream in --

what more could he ask?

A few flowers at his feet 

and above him the stars.

~Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

A flower blossoms for its own joy.

~Oscar Wilde

The wonderful little plant and gift shop ...

More to come at Descanso Gardens! The Japanese Garden was enchanting, as well as the forest of camellias, and Lilac Garden! I took so many pictures! Everywhere you turn, a vision of beauty. 

It was such a lovely afternoon, I stayed until the last minute (5pm) when they announced the gardens were closing, then I very slowly made my way out. It was so rejuvenating, after spending the last 2 or 3 weeks in the middle of the city. I left with a huge smile on my face and lungs filled with flower scented oxygen!

Hope spring has arrived, or will be arriving soon, in your neck of the woods. I know some of you still have snow! I also hope that you enjoyed this visit, to these lovely gardens, and like I said, there's more to come!

Blessings and light!

Springtime in Pasadena! Arlington Gardens

The greatest gift of the garden 

is the restoration of the five senses.

~Hanna Rion

Last year, my neighbor Drew moved. He was in the condo across the hall, and really the only person I've become friends with, in the building, to the level that I actually go and do things with them. Anyway, I was bummed he left, but he found a wonderful house in Pasadena, so I am thrilled for him that that dream came true, for him.

Anyway, I went out there to see his new house last spring (really lovely and decorated very classy, of course) and we decided to check out the community garden nearby. 

I had planned to post about it, back then, but I was in the midst of all my Rome posts. Now that spring is here again, I thought it was the perfect time to (finally) post this beautiful garden!

One of the things that's so wonderful about this garden, is that there are so many places to sit and read or visit. 

On the little sign, as you enter, it reads …

Welcome to Arlington Garden

"You are about to enter Pasadena's only dedicated public garden designed to demonstrate sustainable water wise gardening in our mediterranean climate. You will notice it changes with every season. Walk the paths. Sit on the chairs and benches you will find throughout the Garden. Find surprises around every corner and many places where you can linger and "hear your own thoughts." 

Love is like a beautiful flower

which I may not touch,

but whose fragrance makes the garden

a place of delight just the same.

~Helen Keller

I know that if odour were visible,as color is,

I'd see the summer garden in rainbow clouds.

~Robert Bridges, Testament of Beauty

Half the interest of a garden
is the content exercise of the imagination.
~Mrs. C.W. Earle, Pot-Pourri from a Surrey Garden 1897

 

The Amphitheater, above, was built in honor of Sabra Clark, initial Garden supporter and lifelong Pasadena resident. It's used for classes, lectures, picnics, and musical performances and plays put on by families. 

There may be fairies at the bottom of the garden.

there is no evidence for it,

but you can't prove that there aren't any,

so shouldn't we be agnostic with respect to fairies?

~Richard Dawkins

We really had such a lovely day. After the garden, we had lunch in an old railway station, that was converted into a restaurant. Really yummy kale salad, by the way!

Drew!

Beauty surrounds us,
but usually we need to be walking in a garden to know it.
~Rumi

Blessings and light!