California Dreaming, Part 1: Arlington Garden

Last month we went south to California to visit family and do some sightseeing. Our first weekend was spent with my brother- and sister-in-law in Altadena (I showed their garden here a couple of years ago.)

Susan and Seth understand that I'm a horthead, and even better, they cunningly plot to feed my plant lust, so on Saturday, they introduced me to a fascinating newer garden near them in Pasadena, - Arlington Garden.

Except for a few trees, this three-acre garden is only about eight years old. Situated on a lot formerly occupied by one of Pasadena's "Millionaires' Row" mansions, it's the product of many cooperating public entities, and two visionary and tireless private citizens.

Though the garden has been carefully planned out, there's no manicured perfection here. Its main purpose is to demonstrate water-wise gardening, so its style is loose and delightfully down to earth. Birds, bees and butterflies love this garden.

Paths of decomposed granite lead through many of the areas, and salvaged concrete is used to construct walls and beds. Garden art seems to involve the creative re-purposing of tools.

There were several areas using plants from other low-water parts of the world, like these in the  Australia section. I just wish there had been markers with the plant names.

 At the entrance to the olive allee, this metal gateway held succulents in simple terracotta pots.

It was a hot day, and the beautiful olives cast inviting shade.

Rows of lavender enhance the Mediterranean look of this area.

As you might imagine, succulents and agaves feature prominently throughout the garden.

Part of the garden is planted in rows of orange trees, as they were in California's earlier days. Seeing these took me back to my childhood.

As a fundraiser, marmalade made from their oranges is sold in the garden and online. If we'd arrived a little earlier, I'd have taken home a souvenir jar. I still might get online and order some.

A labyrinth occupies one area of the garden near the orange grove.

Shady seating areas abound.

Of course, cool plants are everywhere.

Water dripped slowly into this bowl via a tiny tube that had been run up into an adjacent tree and positioned directly over the bowl.

Above us, one bird had figured out how to avoid the people below by drinking straight from the dripper end.

A xeric water feature - with absolutely no water!

 This area features plants of the Baja California Scrub.

I don't know what this is, but I LIKE it!

As we left the garden through the lower gate, I looked back along the street side.

Arlington Garden is open from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year, and it's free. It's a fabulous alternative garden between the mostly expensive and expansive water-dependent residential properties that surround it, and a beautiful place to spend an hour or two.

What a difference ten days makes!

When we left town for warmer climes on the 19th of April (more on that in a later post),  the garden was opening day by day, and I knew we would see changes when we returned.

But I was completely unprepared for the amount of growth, flowering and fullness my garden showed by the time we returned at the end of the month, just ten days later.

Iris x pacifica 'This Ring' (front) and Iris tenax had popped!

So, also, had Camassia quamash, in the loveliest range of blues. I had been waiting for these blooms since last spring.

Our young Cornus x 'Eddies White Wonder' was living up to its name.

Lettuce seedlings were in dire need of thinning.

I missed our garden bloggers plant exchange, but I came home to find a few items I scored at last year's two exchanges strutting their stuff:

A froth of bloom topped Saxifraga x urbinium 'Aureopunctata' (thank you, Loree!)

The beautiful chocolatey blooms of Aquilegia vulgaris 'Black Barlow' (thank you, Anne!)

Its flowers are quite unlike wild columbines.

And Acanthus spinosa is already forming several blooms (thank you, Ricki!)

For April Bloom Day, I had one bright orange bloom on Helianthemum 'Henfield Brilliant'.  Just look at her now.

Early this spring, I relocated Eucomus comosa 'Sparkling Burgundy' to a sunnier, hotter location. It seems to approve of the move.

Lewisia cotyledon 'Sunset Series'.

I love the soft, gray, downy foliage of Convolvulus cneorum and keep trying, in spite of having lost three previously. My small, fourth attempt is finally coming out of its winter sulk with some fresh new leaves.

It never occurred to me that Luzula nivea would bloom, but I saw the beginnings of flower buds before we left. Now in full bloom, they have an artless, wild look I like.

I commented yesterday that after ten days in Southern California, I was surprised at how happy I was to be back in the Pacific Northwest. I vow to appreciate how lucky I am to be able to garden here, as well (okay, at least until the next round of spring rainstorms!)