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The L.A. Arboretum
is located on land that once was the center of
Lucky Baldwin's estate. His home in the southern part of
the Arboretum is fully furnished in the style of his era. The stained glass
windows are particularly revealing of his interests. The
coach house for his horses and carriages is nearby. And
the Santa Anita Park
horse racing track, which Baldwin founded, is across the street
from the Arboretum. |
Lucky Baldwin's statement upon first seeing the land that became his
Southern California home was reputedly: "This is
paradise!" But he didn't leave the environment as he found
it. Early photos of his home show extensive landscaping:
palms, orange trees and roses are featured prominently. The
photos were used to promote Southern California so he could sell off the
thousands of acres he purchased with the fortune he made in the Comstock
Mine.
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Not far
from the Baldwin home is the bent willow sculpture created by
the famed artist Patrick Dougherty. Click on the photo to
see the size of the art work. This house-size sculpture,
built in early 2008, is not permanent, but will be
dismantled. |
Today the
Arboretum is home to a huge variety of trees -- some planted by Baldwin,
most added later. And, in recent years the Arboretum has expanded
its mandate to become a Botanic Garden.
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In the
northern part of the Arboretum is an enormous collection of
Australian trees and shrubs, including eucalyptus and cabbage
palms. The acacia in this photo thrives in hot, dry
climates and the colors are the national colors of Australia:
yellow and green. |
Adjacent to the Australian
collection is the newly expanded African area which features both trees
and perennials from sub-Saharan Africa.
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Nearby are new cactus and
succulent gardens planted in a scale for residential use -- basically
demonstration plantings.
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On a
hot summer day, the Tropical Forest section is cool and
refreshing. It surrounds a natural lake that in periods of
drought has been known to dry up. Presently, the
lake is full to the brim. |
Visitors to the Arboretum
will also find an orchid house, demonstration patio gardens and the old Hugo Reid adobe.
Reid
owned the property before Baldwin.
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Peacocks
and peahens roam the Arboretum and adjacent areas at will.
And sometimes they put on a dramatic show. |
To visit the Arboretum's official site for hours, fees, and
events, click here.
Take these Hot Gardens online botanical garden preview tours, too:
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