98 Real Estate October 2008 Alaska Airlines Magazine
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98 real estate october 2008
alaska airlines Magazine
Real Estate
Verdant Pleasures
Finding inspiration in botanical gardens By Debra Prinzing
Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, set aside an afternoon to visit your destina-
tion’s botanical garden or arboretum. Not only will you enjoy a calm respite among foliage and
flowers, usually away from crowds and long lines, but you’ll also find inspiration for your own
backyard. North America has an impressive history of gardens established for the enjoyment of its
citizens: Boston’s Public Garden—the nation’s first—opened in 1837, adjacent to Boston Common, which
was the country’s first public park. Nowadays, there’s a wealth of diversity in the country’s many gardens.
Some venues are large and filled with mature plants; others are small and emerging in significance. Some
are tucked into big cities; others are in more remote locations. You may have toured some of the oldest
and most beloved, including crown jewels such as Central Park in New York City, designed by Frederick
Law Olmsted, and the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park. But there are acres and acres
more of botanical beauty to enjoy. A visit to a local garden will fill your lungs with fresh air, your eyes with
horticultural wonders and your mind
with great ideas for your home garden.
Here are some favorite gardens, with
tips on what to look for when you visit.
Dunn Gardens
The Arthur Dunn family estate was
established in 1915 on a bluff overlooking
the Puget Sound north of Seattle. The
gardens were designed by the Olmsted
Brothers, the premier U.S. landscape
architectural firm, based in Brookline,
Massachusetts. The grounds were divided
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among Dunn family members in the
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1940s. Today, you can visit the award-
left: the Olmsted Brothers–designed Dunn
gardens showcase meandering paths, a broad,
great lawn, and vibrant flowering borders.
above: the gardens’ annual Fall Foliage Festival
celebrates the beauty of autumn leaves.
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october 2008 real estate 99
winning 7.5-acre garden enhanced by E.B.
April–July and September–October. Reserva-
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“Ed” Dunn, who lived on the property
tions can be made online or by telephone.
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between 1947 and 1991.
Last-minute visitors are encouraged to call
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A devoted collector of rhododendrons,
and can often be accommodated. Members
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woodland plants and bulbs, Ed Dunn
and guests are invited to the annual Fall
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created a historical garden trust in 1993,
Foliage Festival, held this year Sunday,
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ensuring that other horticultural enthusi-
October 12, from 2 to 4 P.M., to celebrate the
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asts would be able to enjoy his landscape
brilliant autumn colors of beech and oak
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for many years. It is now listed on the
trees, sugar and vine maples, and more.
National Register of Historic Places. The
Contact: P.O. Box 77126; 13533 Northshire
garden features walks among mature
Road N.W., Seattle, Washington 98177;
rhododendrons, a pond garden, a woodland 206-362-0933; www.dunngardens.org.
glade, a perennial border, and specimen
trees set in the “great lawn.” Many of the
The Berry Botanic Garden
characteristic Olmsted design features
The Berry Botanic Garden occupies
have been restored and renovated,
a 6.25-acre site nestled in a residential
including a curvilinear drive, diagonal
area of the Dunthorpe neighborhood of
view corridors and natural footpaths. The
southwest Portland. Open to the public
garden is admired for its exceptional
since 1977, it was originally the home and
collections of trillium, hellebores, erythro-
garden of Rae Selling Berry (1881–1976), a
nium and other woodland perennials. Take pioneering plantswoman who was deeply
the Berry Botanic garden is renowned for
conservation programs focusing on native
note of many spectacular eastern hard-
dedicated to identifying, acquiring and
plants, such as the golden paintbrush.
woods and native conifer specimens in the
propagating species plants from around
Dunn Gardens’ Heritage Tree Program.
the world suitable for the Pacific North-
west. Due to progressive hearing loss,
Visiting tips: Admission is $10, or $7 for
Berry was completely deaf by her early 30s.
seniors and students. A $50 annual member-
In spite of this challenge, she explored the
ship lets you take advantage of ongoing
mountains of the American West, British
lectures and hands-on workshops taught by
Columbia and Alaska to collect alpine
knowledgeable docents and curators Glenn
plants as well as an unrivaled collection of
Withey and Charles Price. The garden is
Primula species, delicate flowering plants
open by appointment only, with tours given
also known as primroses.
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the 400-pound tibetan prayer wheel (above)
is the centerpiece of the garden of infinite
compassion (left), part of the sawtooth
Botanical garden.
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october 2008 real estate 101
Today, the botanical garden features
extensive displays of rhododendrons,
primroses, alpine and woodland plants,
specimen trees, shrubs and unusual
perennials. Favorite Northwest natives in
the garden include redflower currant
(Ribes sanguineum), snowberry (Symphori-
carpos albus) and evergreen huckleberry
(Vaccinium ovatum). The garden is noted
for its conservation programs of native
endangered plants; it is home to the Seed
Bank for Rare and Endangered Plants of
the Pacific Northwest, with the largest
collection of seeds in the region.
Visiting tips: Since its parking lot can
accommodate only 15 cars, advance reserva-
tions are required. You can schedule a day-
time visit any day of the year. Admission is
free for members, $5 for nonmembers. The
garden’s popular and varied seminar topics
tices and allowing community members to
the historic gardens of alcatraz include
include plant conservation and propagation,
rent plots for growing vegetables and
flowers such as the african cornflag (above)
drip irrigation and botanical illustration.
flowers. Today, the 5-acre site (a former
and the basket-of-gold (below).
From 11 A.M. to 3 P.M. on October 18, 2008,
horse pasture in Idaho’s Wood River
the garden will present “Art & Music in the
Valley) is an emerging botanical garden
Garden,” featuring acoustical performances
with flourishing display areas and an active
and art demonstrations. The event is free for
educational program. One of the ongoing
members; the $8 fee for nonmembers includes themes demonstrated here is water
regular admission.
conservation in a region of extreme
Contact: 11505 S.W. Summerville Ave.,
temperatures and little precipitation. The
Portland, Oregon 97219; 503-636-4112;
Xeriscape Home Demonstration Garden
www.berrybot.org.
features beautiful but drought-tolerant
plantings, with savvy moisture-retention
Sawtooth Botanical Garden
and weed-control techniques home
Who would imagine that His Holiness the
gardeners will want to try. Other garden
14th Dalai Lama would travel to a remote
areas showcase ornamental grasses and
garden in Ketchum–Sun Valley, Idaho, to
perennials suited for high-altitude gardens.
bless a 400-pound, hand-carved Tibetan
prayer wheel? The private ceremony took
place on September 11, 2005, to honor the
opening of the Garden of Infinite Compas-
sion, one of eight distinctive garden areas at
the Sawtooth Botanical Garden. With the
prayer wheel as its centerpiece, the Garden
of Infinite Compassion is a meditative rock
garden for visitors of all faiths, symbolizing
hope for peace and compassion worldwide.
The Sawtooth Botanical Garden was
conceived and started in 1995 by a group of
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passionate local gardeners with goals of
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showcasing sustainable gardening prac-
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october 2008 real estate 103
Visiting tips: Sawtooth Botanical Garden is a
there is a softer side to Alcatraz, and
fun day trip that can help you teach your
it includes a long-forgotten rose gar-
children about gardening, ecology and the
den once tended by inmates. After
natural world. Sign up for the many youth
the prison was closed in the 1960s,
programs offered at the Sunflower Children’s
the gardens on the island were
Center, including the “Sprout” series of nature abandoned. Nonetheless, nearly
classes, summer garden camps, an annual bug 200 species of shrubs, succulents,
festival, a junior master-gardeners program
bulbs and perennials continued to
and “Discovery Corner,” a self-guided exhibit
survive in rocky soil with no ferti-
with children’s nature activities. Sawtooth’s
lizers or supplemental water. In
yearly family harvest festival will be October
recent years, the “Historic Gardens
19, 2008. The garden is free to the public,
of Alcatraz” project has begun
although visitors are encouraged to make a
restoration on garden areas, inspired
donation to support the nonprofit organiza-
by the work of early residents—
tion’s ongoing efforts.
prisoners, soldiers, wardens and
Contact: 11 Gimlet Road, Ketchum, Idaho
their families—who lived, worked
83340; 208-726-9358; www.sbgarden.org.
and gardened on the island for more
than a century. Spearheaded by the
The Historic Gardens of Alcatraz
Garden Conservancy in partnership
Visitors to Alcatraz, the popular San
with the Golden Gate National
Francisco Bay–area national park also
Recreation Area and its conservancy
called “The Rock,” may come expecting to
arm, the ongoing renovations enable
above: a former swimming pool, constructed
tour the island fortress that formerly
documention and preservation of Alcatraz’s in the 1920s, now forms the largest of
housed a federal prison for notorious
horticultural history.
lotusland’s water gardens.
criminals. The history of Alcatraz is the
Below: the Blue garden at lotusland features
stuff of legend: Before it was a federal
Visiting tips: You can reach Alcatraz via a
plants with silver and blue-gray foliage.
penitentiary (1934–1963), the island was a
short ferry ride from San Francisco’s Pier 33.
Civil War fortress and military prison. But
Docent tours of the historic gardens are held
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october 2008 real estate 105
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Friday and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. You can also
tecito, near Santa Barbara. She shed
above left: the Pavilion of the three Friends
use the brochure map to take a self-guided
husband No. 6 and devoted her energies,
stands within the huntington’s liu Fang yuan,
tour of five garden areas. Another option is
during the next 43 years of her life, to
or garden of Flowing Fragrance.
above right: a hand-carved latticework
to take a “volunteer vacation” and learn
designing an unconventional botanical
partition, part of the love for the lotus
more about the historic Alcatraz gardens:
garden with exotic planting schemes and
Pavilion, frames the jade ribbon Bridge.
Volunteers work side by side with on-site
collections of rare plants.
Below: the garden features many native
gardening staff to assist with a variety of
Called Lotusland, for the beautiful
chinese plants, such as camellias.
projects to weed, water, plant seedlings,
Indian lotuses that grow in the garden’s
divide bulbs, prune trees and propagate
elegant pools and ponds, the property is
cuttings for new plants. To volunteer for
considered a must-visit garden. Today, top
the Alcatraz Historic Gardens Project, visit
landscape designers emulate Madame
www.parksconservancy.org.
Walska’s avant-garde approach, incorporat-
Contact: National Park Service, Golden
ing bold plant forms, unusual color combi-
Gate National Recreation Area, Fort Mason
nations and massed displays of favorite
B201, San Francisco, California 94123; 415-
specimens. Thriving on 37 acres, and
981-7625; www.nps.gov/alca/planyourvisit/
enclosed by walls of sun-washed pink
index.htm.
stucco, the botanical wonderland opened
to the public in 1993. Visitors are dazzled
Lotusland
by the sheer majesty of the extraordinary
In 1941, Madame Ganna Walska, a
plant collections—including rare cycads,
well-known Polish opera singer and
cactuses, palms and euphorbia—growing
oft-married socialite, purchased an estate,
together in one place (there are more than
featuring Spanish architecture, and its
2,900 different kinds of plants at Lotus-
surrounding grounds in the Central
land). Even if you don’t consider yourself a
California coastal community of Mon-
gardener, a visit to Lotusland is a fun day
alaska airlines Magazine
october 2008 real estate 107
trip and a great way to learn about Madame
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Walska’s unique vision and legacy.
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Visiting tips: You can visit Lotusland only by
advance reservation (address and driving
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information are provided at that time).
Docent-led tours are offered at 10 a.m. and
1:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday,
mid-February to mid-November. Admission is
$35 for adults; $10 for children ages 5–18; free
for children under age 5. Last-minute visitors
are encouraged to call for openings to join a
scheduled tour. Family tours are available for
groups with children under age 10.
Mailing address: 695 Ashley Road, Santa
Barbara, California 93108; 805-969-9990;
www.lotusland.org.
The Huntington Library, Art
Collections and Botanical Gardens
It’s easy to fill a day visiting the many
collections of paintings, sculpture,
historical documents and gardens at the
magnificent 120-acre California estate of
railroad and real estate developer Henry
Edwards Huntington, near Pasadena,
California. But you’ll want to save extra
time to see the Huntington’s newest
feature: Liu Fang Yuan, or the “Garden of
Flowing Fragrance.” The new classical Chi-
nese garden opened earlier this year in a
12-acre wooded area adjacent to the
Huntington’s established, 9-acre Japanese
Garden (which dates to 1912 and was
installed by Huntington), featuring a Zen
Garden and Bonsai Court.
Planners fostered international collabo-
ration among scholars, architects and
Visiting tips: For an authentic experience,
Visitors enjoy the sunshine at an outdoor cafe
engineers to create this Chinese garden.
order Chinese tea and dim sum at Liu Fang
next to the Queens Botanical garden’s new
Features include a 1.5-acre lake, a complex
Yuan’s traditional teahouse, called the Hall of
Visitor & administration center.
of pavilions, a teahouse and tea shop, and
the Jade Camellia, and enjoy a peaceful break
five stone bridges. In 2006 and 2007, stone
overlooking the Lake of Reflected Fragrance.
artisans, wood carvers, roof-tile experts
Allow time to see the many other spectacular
and other craftsmen traveled from China to gardens within the grounds of the Hunting-
help in the garden’s initial phases. Artfully
ton. The Botanical Gardens are divided into
pruned black pines; stands of golden and
more than a dozen thematic areas on 120
black bamboo; fragrant and flowering pear, acres and include more than 15,000 different
plum and cherry trees; magnolias; azaleas;
species of plants.
rhododendrons; willows; and Chinese elms
Contact: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino,
are used as living sculptures throughout
California 91108; 626-405-2100; www.
the serene destination.
huntington.org.
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october 2008 real estate 109
Queens Botanical Garden
building rating) and is part of QBG’s
You may have heard of New York’s older
Sustainable Landscapes and Buildings
and larger public gardens, in Brooklyn (The Project, which encompasses new native
Brooklyn Botanic Garden) and the Bronx
species and a water-recycling system.
(New York Botanical Garden), but there’s
plenty thriving in Queens. The Queens
Visiting tips: You can learn more about the
Botanical Garden came into existence
ecological and environmental benefits of
through “Gardens on Parade,” a horticul-
“green roofs” as you tour the 8,000-square-
tural feature of the 1939-40 World’s Fair.
foot meadowlike roof covering a 147-seat
During the 1964 World’s Fair, the gardens
public auditorium. The design provides insula-
were relocated to an adjacent 39-acre site,
tion and reduces heating and cooling expenses
along with two blue Atlas cedar trees (Ce-
for the building below. Visitors can walk across
drus atlantica ‘Glauca’), which now stand
it to enjoy a flourishing col ection of native
sentry at the entrance. Not only is Queens
woodland ferns, shrubs, sedges and wildflow-
Botanical Garden free to the public, it’s also ers. The garden’s plants require minimal
home to several new sustainability projects, artificial watering and provide much-needed
including a Visitor & Administration Center habitat for humans, birds and insects.
that is one of the greenest buildings in New
Contact: 43-50 Main St., Flushing, New
York City. The structure—which features a
York 11355; 718-886-3800; www.queensbo-
green roof whose plants reduce stormwater
tanical.org.
runoff, and solar panels that produce 17
percent of its electricity—received LEED
Debra Prinzing is a garden and design writer
Platinum certification (the highest green-
based in Southern California.
Lessons to Take Home From Gardens
The creative work of top horticulturists, landscape architects and garden designers is on
display in the beds and borders of green, glorious garden landscapes wherever you travel.
As you stroll along the paths, take note of interesting plant combinations that you’d like to
try re-creating at home. You’ll also discover trees, shrubs, perennials and ornamental
grasses growing at their mature size and form in the landscape—something that’s hard to
imagine when you’re scrutinizing a photo on the plastic tag at the local nursery. Public
gardens are hands-on places that encourage visitors to smell flowers and touch leaves. Even
after spending a few hours within their walls, you’ll leave feeling rejuvenated—and carrying
a notebook-full of great ideas for your own garden. Here are some tips to enhance your visit:
Plan ahead. It’s best to call or check online before you visit a garden. Verify admission
information, seasonal programs and special exhibits that may require advance tickets. One
fun feature on many Websites is the “What’s in Bloom” section, which discusses timing your
visit with the blooming of different specimens or collections.
Visit during off-hours. Schedule your day-in-the-garden during less-crowded weekdays
or early morning/late afternoon hours on weekends. A bonus for shutterbugs: The light
during dawn and dusk is considered the best quality for plant and garden photography.
Dress for the elements. Enhance your experience by wearing comfortable shoes and a
hat to protect you from sun or rain. As with any outdoor activity, it’s smart to have a
waterproof jacket if there’s any possibility of precipitation. Take a lightweight backpack or a
fanny pack large enough to hold a digital camera and a small notebook.
Borrow the best ideas. As you observe the sights, smells and sounds of a garden, ask
yourself: “Which design elements please me most?” Think about the mood conveyed by
each garden and its displays. What colors and combinations catch your eye? What design
Reprinted with permission from the
styles resonate with you and seem compatible with your home’s architecture? Document
October 2008 issue of Alaska Airlines
what you like best by taking photos, jotting down plant names or sketching the style of an
Magazine, published by Paradigm
arbor. You can emulate these ideas and re-create them at home, on a smaller scale. —D.P.
Communications Group, Seattle.
110 real estate october 2008
alaska airlines Magazine
