Go-Go Garbo’s Glorious Garden Ramble (Part Deux)

South Coast Botanic Garden – Palos Verdes, CA

May 2024

Garbo enjoyed herself so much at Ventura Botanical Gardens that when she read (she is a very advanced corgi) South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes allowed dogs on the last Sunday of every month, she pleaded with us to take her on the last day of May.

Who could say “no” to that face? Certainly, not us.

South Coast Botanic Garden encompasses 87 acres and, according to its literature, has more than “200,000 plants and 2,500 species of plants from around the world.” They also have 200 species of birds.

                 

On this morning, it seemed it also had 200 species of canines. These ”Dog Sundays” are a big deal here.

Walking into the courtyard, one of the volunteers said, “This is the 10th corgi I’ve seen today. They’re my favorites.” A wise man, indeed. After a little background about the gardens, we started our stroll. We decided to take the 1.7 mile loop, which we diverted from on a few  occasions.

Was it only a coincidence that the same week I was diagnosed with atrial flutter that Tracy had me pose as a human butterfly? I hoped I had more than a week or two to live, however.  If one would like, there is a butterfly exhibit named SOAR ($6, so it seems Butterflies are not free)), which “features hundreds of tropical butterflies that you wouldn’t normally see in Southern California.” It’s off limits for dogs.

                                            

As if by magic (or probably planned) we walked by a Butterfly Bush (no relation to George)

I thought these flowers would be perfect for a Gender Reveal Party.

                       

There are plenty of open spaces where families can tire out their kids.

Things started getting a bit prickly as we strolled through the cacti in the Desert Garden.

                   

I told Tracy that as I grow older, I appreciate the beauty of cactus much more. 

                

The California State Flower loomed ahead.

On March 2, 1903, the California poppy, Eschscholzia Californica, became the official state flower of California. Well, we are the Golden State, for heaven sakes.

                     

I really liked these guys, which is, according to the iPhone Flower Meter, a Euphorbia bourgaena.

     

Tracy decided to get a little artsy at this juncture with a couple of black and white photos … one a tranquil look at a person with their dog, and another of some guy walking like Frankenstein.

    

There were signs warning both Garbo and me of upcoming dangers.

                                                 

We were coming across some flower varieties I didn’t remember from past excursions to other gardens. The Red Valerian is also known as the Devil’s (or Jupiter’s) Beard.

        

We stepped into the Redwoods, and we could tell Garbo was enjoying her journey. But she was hoping to meet some friends.

       

We came across a familiar Crimson bottlebrush. These are always popping with color.

                                

Speaking of which, so were the flowers on the Hong Kong Orchid Tree.

It was a beautiful day for a stroll, and … wait … is that another corgi up ahead? We were seeing more and more dogs, and like a lot of places we’ve been lately, these pups were all on their best behavior.

                 

I believe we were in Phoebe’s Meadow (always best to enjoy with Friends), home to one of the Hide And Seek sculptures located around the grounds. This is one of ten meadows on the property.

We learned the gardens are located in “Sunset’s Zone 23, one of the most favored growing areas in the world.” The Cape Chestnut certainly liked it here.

  

Garbo gave a quick tug on her leash. We had spotted a couple of her cousins. For any of the canines who needed water, bowls were provided at various spots along the route.

Meanwhile, we were checking out this blue-hued “globe” installed in 2018. It is called “Fuller.” And, no, we didn’t give it the brush.

           

Garbo saw a potential snack, and for one hare raising moment we thought she’d go after him.

I never knew there was a tree named Ponytail, but that’s what this tree found in Mexico is called.

Hard as it is to believe, we were walking through one of the country’s first botanical gardens developed over a sanitary landfill. There were 291 acres that consisted three primary disposal areas. Eighty-seven acres of the Palos Verdes Landfill was later redeveloped as the South Coast Botanic Garden. Both Garbo and her new friend, Churchill, were quite impressed.

Soon, we wondered why Garbo was licking her chops.

                             

Seemed she saw a sign for the Moreton Bay Fig Tree (aka Australian banyan). I had to tell her that, yes, these trees do produce edible figs, but they don’t taste very good.

              

If you get tired on your walk, there are many places to stop and take a breather.

   

If I had a dollar for every sundial ….

A Scented Geranium led to another fun area of the gardens.

Everything seemed in “Bloom.”

           

It was here where Garbo decided to try out her new break-dancing routine.

Break dancing can wear a little girl out.

         

Garbo and I stayed behind, while Tracy visited the 2020 renovated Rose Garden.

   

No dogs allowed in this area that contains 1,000 bushes and more than 100 varieties. Name a rose and you might find it here.

Other flowers are interspersed among the roses. This garden has “a unique planting design that will provide year-round appeal with plenty of non-rose companion plantings to ensure a lush experience.”

         

In late May, the garden looked spectacular.

                     

Finally, I got a chance to check it out, too.

It was time to not only stop and smell roses, but also the lavender.

  

Ok, even the Flower Meter had trouble with this one. But the bee didn’t seem to care.

                                         

More geraniums! This place is a bee magnet!

We were happy to see this honey bee was enjoying its time here, too.

Poppies and marigolds were flourishing.

         

It was a peaceful spot to spend a morning.

   

Everywhere a peaceful oasis.

A little thistle …

               

 

… and dill meant we were nearing the end of our nature dog walk.

A final look at the koi pond in the Bonsai Garden …

                 

… and we called it a day.

South Coast Botanic Garden is also a venue for many events, including an upcoming wedding on the day we visited. They also have a summer concert series. If you’re looking for a place to spend some quality time with your furry friend, Tracy, Garbo and I agree this is a fantastic opportunity to get your dog out for a mini adventure on the last Sunday of every month. And if you don’t have a dog, any day is a great day to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of South Coast Botanic Garden in beautiful Palos Verdes.

It makes for a picture perfect experience.

Plus, Garbo gives it an enthusiastic “Four Paws Up!”

South Coast Botanic Garden
26300 Crenshaw Blvd,
Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
424.452.0920
Daily 8 am – 5 pm
Advance purchase required for weekend garden entry
Adults: $15 • Seniors (over 62) $11
Students (with ID) $11 • Children (5-12) $5
Children Under 5 get in free
Last Sunday of the month … Dogs $5
Gardens are free on third Tuesday of each month
Parking: Free
https://southcoastbotanicgarden.org/