Gardening requires lots of water – most of it in the form of perspiration (Lou Erickson) unless you are visiting a public garden.
The value of land in Newport Beach is crazy premium so imagine my surprise when I found a 3-acre oasis called Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona Del Mar which is the most exclusive subdivision of Newport Beach! Sherman Gardens is a nationally renowned botanical garden that features:
- Over 100 species of palms from around the world
- 130 unique varieties of begonias – WOW, who knew there could be that many!
- A lush tropical conservatory featuring a koi pond, carnivorous plants, and an extensive orchid collection
- An artistic succulent garden – some have even called world famous
- A rose garden – roses happen to be my least favorite plant as they are too messy looking and I am not a fan of watching cut roses slowly die so alas no pictures.
- A tea garden with numerous hanging baskets of fuchsia, begonias, and seasonal favorites as well as a Chinese New Year inspired installation
Here are a few flowers that will definitely be making an appearance in my garden. Top to Bottom: Leucospernum, Leucodendrum, and African Daisy.
If you visit Southern California, once you tire of the beaches and Disneyland (will open again someday), I highly recommend you make a stop at Sherman Gardens. If you are not in California, I highly recommend you look for your local botanical garden. It is such an inspiring place to visit and dream about the potential in your own garden.
Of course, if you live near Victoria, Canada (Washington friends I am looking at you) you absolutely must visit Butchart Gardens. Butchart Gardens is a National Historical Site of Canada and contains over 900 varieties on 55 acres! I am definitely going to make a pilgrimage up there again when I visit friends and family in Washington.
Spring is just around the corner so now is a great time to start planning your garden upgrades. I shared some of my gardening plans HERE and have started in couple of areas that are not impacted by the Office construction.
Here are all of my photos from Sherman Gardens – hope they inspire you to get outside and work in the garden soon!