It took several visits to Sherman Gardens in Corona del Mar before I realized I was missing a particularly fine part of the place--a lath-enclosed long narrow corridor that could be called "the Fernery". Sherman Gardens has two entrances: one on Pacific Coast Highway, and one at the back of the garden, entered from their parking lot. The Fernery is what you pass through when you enter from the parking lot. The Fernery has become an area I now make a point of visiting every time. The above photo explains why. Its long narrow shape surrounds you in jungle.
Along with many different ferns, the Fernery contains palms, cycads, and shade plants like Farfugium.
It's a dramatic contrast to move from an enveloping jungle to the Xeric section of Sherman Gardens, an area walled off from the rest. There are three main beds in the Xeric section, roughly in the shape of the letter "F"--the longest bed is the vertical, leftmost part of the F", with two additional beds at right angles to the longest.
The longest bed was being reworked, so on this visit I paid more attention to the other two beds, which contain large specimens of Aloe--sorry Aloidendron--barbarae, Alluaudia procera, and tree-sized Euphorbias
A particularly nice Agave nickelsiae there at lower right:
A few other photos, some flowery.
The blue Encephalartos is indeed gorgeous. Whoever planted it had better received hazard pay: how do they manage a large specimen without getting bloodied...
ReplyDeleteThe 'long' bed is obviously not a natural arrangement but always stunning: I love the tapestry they are able to create and maintain there.
Chavli
I'd wrap the leaves in a towel, or gather and tie them together a bit to plant that Encephalartos. Maybe some day I'll be lucky enough to try planting one. :)
DeleteNot crazy about the blue glass, but it's always well done when complete. It's a good reminder that even low maintenance plants like succulents need maintenance.
I always make a point of visiting the Fernery on each visit too. It's looking particularly good in your photos. The Succulent Garden is looking good too. I "need" to get there again soon. I've only visited once this year and that was back in April.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they have a new designer, or the designer was given freer rein, because some of the areas were looking really fabulous. Or maybe it was more rain, not more rein.
DeleteLovely indeed! I long to visit this garden, and will be in the LA area in the upcoming couple of months, but sadly only for a brief time that won't allow a trip. Someday!
ReplyDeleteIt will wait, and be there when you are ready. Gardens can do that. :)
DeleteWow, I can see why you like the fernery entrance. Some spectacular Staghorn ferns there. Also love the many colourful bromeliads they are growing. The whole garden is looking gorgeous. A lovely day out for sure.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have much in the way of botanical gardens close enough to be called easily accessible--the traffic is getting so bad even the local grocery store seems tough to get to--so it's a garden that is a little more special because its relatively close. Not close, but relatively.
DeleteThank you for the tour; I'd like to be there right now as we enter our dormant season here in the Upper Midwest. It looks like the rehab is coming along nicely. The plants look lush and healthy and the gardens well-designed.
ReplyDeleteEven with all the green at home I still enjoy the Fernery especially--it's even more green, and the lath roof and sides create a specific very botanical feel.
DeleteWhat an amazing difference between the two areas. The "fernery" is much more like my garden but I love some of the plants I can't grow in the other beds. Stunning.
ReplyDeleteYes two very different types of plants--what is amazing is how both types are mostly very happy--the very mild weather so close to the Pacific seems to agree with the Agaves and Euphorbias just as well as with the palms and ferns. That's what is so great about coastal SoCal.
DeleteOh wow, so gorgeous. The long bed definitely would stop me in my tracks! This looks like a must see garden.
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice way to spend a few hours, if you are ever in the Orange County area. The temperatures are nearly always mild.
DeleteI'd definitely be trying a succulent/cactus garden if I lived in such a mild climate. It was a bit jarring driving around the San Francisco area last weekend and seeing the weird, columnar forms of Euphorbia on street corners and tree Aloidendrons, agaves, aeoniums, etc. everywhere. Made me wonder whether there were a lot of thefts, or people taking cuttings, during the height of the houseplant trade. I noticed one of the larger Euphorbias had scars near the top where it looked like someone may have taken a few branches for propagation.
ReplyDeleteThey are pretty good low maintenance plants for civic properties, not inclined to damage pavements with massive roots. LA planted a whole lot of Ficus benjaminas back a few decades ago and ruined a lot of sidewalks as a result.
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