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Let’s be real here, it’s constantly Spring in Southern California.  However, we do feel the change of the season, by all the flowers blooming in the many botanical gardens through out California.  During springtime, you can even find poppies blossoming everywhere, even on the side of a road. Here are some of my favorite places to see some splendid botanical gardens and wildflowers, around Southern California.

 

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve

 

Every Spring, people flock to the Mojave Desert to witness the blossoming of a blanket of orange, laid out on a grassland of hills.  The orange blanket is wild growing California Poppies. They can bloom anywhere from mid February to late May and the lenght of time depends on the weather. With the long drought currently going on in California, it’s been for only a short periof of time. However, for that short period, it’s absolutely stunning!

The Poppy reserve is located 15 miles west of Lancaster, CA.  There’s a visitor center which is located a half mile north, at the intersection of 150th St W and Lancaster Road. There’s also a Poppy Festival held every year in April, located at 43011 10th Street W.

 

 

 

 

Huntington Library

 

Huntington Library is located in San Marino, which is in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County.  I grew up nearby this historic library,  as a child, I visited here, quite often.

Huntington Library isn’t just a library. There are art galleries and there’s even a tea room. The gardens are what makes this place so special.  There are 120 acres of different gardens for you to wander about in.  Their Japanese Garden is one of the largest most beautiful in North America.

A very therapeutic place to visit, even though it does get busy during special events, weekends and holidays. 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, 91108

 

 

Descanso Gardens

 

Flowers, flowers, and even more flowers!  Descanso Garden is where you’ll find 600 varieties of camellias  blooming in February. If you love roses, like me, there’s  a dazzling 5 acre rose garden here, too. Descanso Gardens is 160 acres of unforgettable nature, located in the city of La Canada Flintridge.

They also have a lovely lilac garden, an outstanding California natives garden and a magical oak forest.  Amongst these majestic, century old trees is where I got married. Needless to say, Descanso Gardens is a very special place to me. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge, 91001

 

 

 

 

Central Garden at The Getty

 

This museum is so impressive, that Central Garden is also considered to be a work of art!  Central garden happens to be in sculpture form.  Designed by Robert Irwin, he planned this garden for several years.  The creating of this garden started in 1992 and was completed in 1997. More than 500 varieties of plants are used for this remarkable garden.  A true Los Angeles gem.  1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, 90049

 

 

 

Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden

 

Located across the street from the Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia, CA.  Sprawling on 127 acre of gorgeous green lawns, gardens and ponds.  There are gardens here represented from all over the world. There’s also wildlife roaming the grounds, like egrets wandering the Turtle Pond, peacocks and many other birds, as well small reptiles and other small animals.

This park offers nature classes to children and adults, as well as classes for schools and teachers.   There’s even children’s camps during spring and summer break.  Opened everyday day except Christmas. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, because this park is huge!  301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia 91007