The Pearl’s Guide to Superblooms & Gorgeous Gardens
April 22 is Earth Day, the world’s largest environmental movement, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than communing with nature. And thanks to all the recent rain, we’re seeing an abundance of wildflowers across the Southland. For a breathtaking superbloom experience, Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is carpeted with our beautiful state flower as far as the eye can see. To stay up-to-date on what’s blooming, Theodore Payne Foundation’s Wild Flower Hotline provides information on the best locations for viewing spring wildflowers, with many locations not far from The Pearl. And if you want to get involved for Earth Day, Friends of the LA River is offering a variety of activities that welcome everyone to the River Movement.
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve 15101 Lancaster Rd. Lancaster, CA 93536
Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat. Eight miles of trails through the gentle rolling hills, including a paved section for wheelchair access, make the park a wonderful place to hike and explore. Benches located along the trails make good places to sit quietly and watch for wildlife, such as meadow larks, lizards, and gopher snakes. If you’re lucky, you may spot a coyote or bobcat.
Theodore Payne Foundation 10459 Tuxford St. Los Angeles, CA 91352
To learn more about California’s abundant flora, visit the Theodore Payne Foundation (TPF), a nonprofit organization that inspires and educates Southern Californians about the beauty and ecological benefits of California native plants. Located on 22 beautiful acres of canyon land in the San Fernando Valley, the TPF includes a full-service nursery, alongside display gardens, wild land hiking trails, an art gallery, educational facilities, and more.
Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Dr. La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Descanso Gardens is a botanical garden, living museum, and urban oasis just 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles. Situated on 150 acres of cultivated and wild land, Descanso Gardens is nestled into a natural bowl by surrounding mountains. Visitors can explore the many paths and trails, verdant woodlands, lush gardens, and colorful native flowers. Don’t miss the gorgeous flowering trees, which are an April bloom highlight. To discover the year-round beauty of Descanso, check out their Bloom Calendar.
South Coast Botanic Garden 26300 Crenshaw Blvd. Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Awaken your senses this spring at Bloom, when the Garden comes alive with new blooms and pollinators a flutter. Throughout the exhibit, you are asked to tap into your senses and live in the moment. The journey will begin in the courtyard with a stunning display. Guests will then be guided to a variety of areas that are newly-planted, and ultimately lead you to the Amphitheater Lawn, where they’ve planted over 21,000 bulbs. This colorful and unique display of flora will invite guests to become immersed in the beauty of nature. As the season continues and new flowers arrive, the experience will continue to Bloom!
Arlington Garden 275 Arlington Dr. Pasadena, CA 91105
A hidden gem in the heart of Pasadena, Arlington Garden is the city’s only dedicated free public garden. This three-acre community-built Mediterranean garden is located on Caltrans-owned land. The garden includes thousands of California-native plants such as poppies, sunflowers, cactus and succulents, and orchards of orange and olive trees. Arlington Garden is not only friendly to people and pets, but also exists as a refuge for Pasadena’s native fauna. Birds, bees, and butterflies are particularly abundant and can be seen throughout the year.
Huntington Botanical Gardens 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108
Explore a winding canopy of Wisteria blooming now in the Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, Shakespeare Garden, and Children’s Garden at The Huntington. Encompassing over 130 acres, The Huntington Botanical Gardens feature living collections in 16 stunning themed gardens with more than 83,000 living plants, including rare and endangered species, and a laboratory for botanical conservation and research. Great news for high tea fans! After an extensive renovation, The Huntington Rose Garden Tea Room has reopened. Set within the historic Rose Garden, the Tea Room offers an elegant and memorable experience inspired by the tradition of English tea service with a distinctive California twist.
Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden 270 Arlington Dr. Pasadena, CA 91105
The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden was created by Kinzuchi Fujii for Charles and Ellamae Storrier Stearns in 1935. Fujii designed and built Japanese landscapes across Southern California in the first half of the 20th century. The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is his only remaining garden and the only intact example of a major Japanese-style garden created before World War II for a residence in Southern California. This pond-style stroll garden features a fifteen-foot waterfall and a formal teahouse on approximately two acres of land. The garden is considered by many to be a masterwork and it demonstrates the adaptability of Japanese culture in modern America.
Los Angeles County Arboretum 301 N Baldwin Ave. Arcadia, CA 91007
The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is a unique 127-acre botanical garden and historical site located in what was the heart of the historic Rancho Santa Anita in the city of Arcadia. A stroll through the Arboretum will take you through a variety of gardens and landscapes that offer beauty and tranquility as well as ideas for your own outdoor spaces. The Arboretum is also home to historic structures including the Queen Anne Cottage, Coach Barn, and Reid-Baldwin Adobe.
Zuma Canyon Trail Trailhead 5721 Bonsall Dr. Malibu, CA 90265
One of the best ways to see wildflowers is to take a hike. Zuma Canyon Trail is 2.8-mile trail that explores the open Zuma Canyon. The sandy trail stretches north along a stony creek bed and through brushy open space. As the mouth of the canyon closes, oaks and sycamores become more abundant, providing greenery and shade for trail users. This trail has amazing views of Zuma Canyon and is abundant with native wildlife, vegetation, and gorgeous spring blooms. For more local hikes, visit Trails LA County.
Photo Credits:
Photo #1: Arlington Garden
Photo #2: California Department of Parks and Recreation
Photo #3: Theodore Payne Foundation
Photo #4: Descanso Gardens
Photo #5: South Coast Botanic Garden
Photo #6: Arlington Garden
Photo #7: The Huntington
Photo #8: Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden
Photo #9: Los Angeles County Arboretum
Photo #10: National Park Service / LA County Department of Parks and Recreation