Best Botanical Gardens & Places To See Flowers In L.A.

Huntington Botanical Gardens
The Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
(626) 405-2100
www.huntington.org

Oleander, lotus, roses and crepe myrtle. That's what you can expect to see showing colors in July at this San Marino landmark where all kinds of exotica bloom year round. Indeed, found on the premises of the 120-acre garden are some 15,000 types of plants landscaped into a dozen different gardens that hail from all four corners of the world. The largest? The Chinese garden, a delight for anyone who is looking to adore flowers from other nations.

Wrigley Botanical Gardens
1402 Avalon Cyn Road
Avalon, CA 90704
(310) 510-2897
www.catalinaconservancy.org

Take a seat aboard Catalina Express, bound for Catalina Island and, after a thirty minute hike (or a swifter golf cart or bike ride) up Avalon Canyon from downtown Avalon, you'll reach the 38-acre Wrigley Botanical Gardens which boasts 38 acres of space in which to wander. There, you'll embrace all kinds of California island endemic plants that are only present on the Golden State's protected Channel Islands. Many, like the rare Catalina Ironwood, are endangered so it's doubtful you will see these species anywhere but at the glorious Wrigley Botanical Gardens.

Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
301 N. Baldwin Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 821-3234
www.arboretum.org

Not far from the legendary Rose Bowl and hugging the hills close to the San Gabriel Mountains, this revered sanctuary presents some 127 acres of flowers and other plants distributed into ten different and distinctive gardens dubbed with titles like the Aquatic Garden and Meadowbrook. These botanic gardens, which are also home to a couple hundred peacocks and their mates, are punctuated by waterfalls and fountains, adding up to glorious landscaping to good to pass up.Related:  Best Outdoor Art In Los Angeles

South Coast Botanic Garden
26300 Crenshaw Blvd.
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
(310) 544-1948
southcoastbotanicgarden.org

This former sanitary landfill, located 10 miles south of Los Angeles International Airport, is now home to 87 acres of plant life. To find the best blooms, simply follow your nose  because the scent of these breathtaking florals will take you where you want to go. Or, grab a map and seek out your favorite kinds of blooms in individual gardens with names like Water-wise Garden, English Rose Garden and Garden of the Senses. Expect a great view, too.

Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Drive
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
(818) 949-4200
www.descansogardens.org

With 150 acres devoted to beautiful blooms, it's hard to pick one area over another. So, plan to stay a while at this outstanding urban retreat just waiting for outdoors loving visitors to savor the cacophony of sensations that so many flowers bring to the forefront. Seasonal horticulture displays are always on offer, as is a train, called the Enchanted Railroad and done to one-eighth-scale of an authentic diesel train, to take you through a delightful section of Descanso Gardens near the Promenade. To help decide what to put on your list of must experiences here this summer, choose from the gardens that offer blooms of the season, including an abundance of modern and heritage roses, crape myrtle, and cassia.Related: Best Restaurants With Outdoor Patios In Los Angeles