Why is it that every time I go to CA to visit my husbands family we NEVER go to Pasadena? Near as I can tell, it’s like garden heaven.  Next time, I am putting my foot down and we WILL fight traffic for hours and and we WILL see all the lovely gardens, and if it’s over the holidays we WILL go to the Parade.  (Because, I truly LOVE A PARADE.)

Top on my list is Arlington Gardens which sits on the site of what was once the biggest mansion on California’s Millionaires Row.  Now, only a fraction of what was once a 20 acre estate, this 3 acre garden was built by the community and is now a place where anyone can go enjoy flowers and the seasonal changes from sunrise to sunset.

“Gardens help sustain us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually,” says Betty McKenney (one of the main organizers for the garden). “They differ from parks in that plants and trees provide the focal point in a garden. You won’t find play structures or merry go rounds here. You don’t need to run to see what’s here. It will wait for you to discover it. Of all the positive comments we have heard, one by a PUSD middle school student following a summer class at Westridge captures it perfectly. When asked by the teacher what she liked about Arlington Garden, the student wrote that she likes the Garden ‘because I can hear my thoughts here.’”

The building of the garden turned up many remnants from the demolition of the Durand Mansion that once stood there. Many of the architecturally interesting pieces were used int he hardscaping of the garden and remind visitors of the sites heritage and the region’s history.   The whole place could be seen as an idea garden for water wise landscaping, or you can just go and enjoy the flowers.

all images from arlington gardens