园区概况
德斯坎索花园（Descanso Gardens）坐落于加利福尼亚州拉卡尼亚达弗林特里奇（La Cañada Flintridge），位于洛杉矶都市区东北方向约20分钟车程处。花园占地150英亩（约61公顷），融合了精心培育的花园与近乎原始的自然景观，是南加州地区重要的城市植物园与博物馆。
德斯坎索花园于1953年正式向公众开放，2004年获得美国博物馆联盟（American Alliance of Museums）认证，被评为”活体收藏博物馆”（museum of living collections）。每年接待游客近百万，是洛杉矶地区备受欢迎的生态旅游目的地。
创立历史
德斯坎索花园的土地历史可追溯至数千年前，图拉族（Tongva）原住民曾是这片土地的主人，世代依靠丰富的橡树资源为生。1842年，西班牙殖民时期，这片土地被划入传教体系。19世纪美墨战争后，土地归属美国。
1930年代后期，实业家伊利亚斯·曼彻斯特·博迪（Elias Manchester Boddy）买下165英亩未开发土地，建造私人牧场与宅邸。1940年代，博迪聘请著名园艺学家霍华德·阿斯珀（Howard Asper）照料其日益壮大的山茶花收藏，并与日裔美国种植者建立合作——包括星苗圃的F.M. Uyematsu以及传教士苗圃的Fred和Mitoko Yoshimura。二战期间，日裔美国人被强制转移，博迪收购了他们的山茶花库存，由此奠定了德斯坎索花园山茶花收藏的基础。
二战后，随着住宅开发增多，博迪于1953年将庄园捐出，由洛杉矶县收购并改建为公共花园。1957年，”德斯坎索花园协会”（Descanso Gardens Guild）成立，为花园提供管理与资金支持。1993年，协会正式接管花园运营至今。
特色花园
国际玫瑰园（International Rosarium）：5英亩（约2公顷），拥有1600株玫瑰，涵盖古老月季、新月季和杂交月季等数百年的品种历史，于1994年建成开放。
日本园（Japanese Garden）：1966年开放，由著名的园艺学家和日裔美国社区共同设计建造，包含经典的日式园林元素与亚洲植物。1969年增建了传统的民家式农舍（Minka）。
橡树森林（Oak Forest）：由当地原始橡树林演化而来，园内大多数橡树树龄在100至150年之间，是南加州地区珍贵的百年橡树保护区。
远古森林（Ancient Forest）：2015年开放，展示了恐龙时代的远古植物——苏铁（cycads）等”活化石”植物，让游客体验远古地质时期地球植物的面貌。
加州花园（California Garden）：展现了加州本地植物的丰富多样性，种植了如灌木猴花（Penstemon）、加州罂粟等本土花卉。
山茶花收藏（Camellia Collection）：德斯坎索花园最具历史意义的收藏之一，讲述了二战期间日裔美国种植者与花园之间的独特历史渊源。
丁香花园（Lilac Garden）：大多数丁香适应寒冷气候，但德斯坎索花园的专家通过品种创新，使杂交丁香在温暖的南加州也能茁壮成长。
游览信息
开放时间：每日9:00至19:00。会员可提前至8:00入场。
门票价格：成人平日9美元；儿童（3-12岁）4美元；老人（65岁以上）6美元；学生6美元。非会员建议提前在线购票以节省排队时间。
游览建议：花园面积较大，建议安排2至4小时。可购买园区地图，按图索骥游览各主题花园。园内设有多处休息区与咖啡简餐服务。
特别活动：每年冬季举办的”魔幻森林灯光秀”（Enchanted Forest of Light）是南加州最受欢迎的节日活动之一，届时花园将在夜间化身为梦幻的光影世界。
协会与会员
德斯坎索花园由德斯坎索花园基金会（Descanso Gardens Foundation）运营管理。基金会提供多种会员选项，会员可享受全年免费入场、会员专属活动、门票折扣等权益。花园同时接受个人捐赠、遗赠捐款以及企业赞助等多种支持方式。
志愿者项目面向全年开放，包括种植、场地维护、活动协助、导游讲解等多种岗位。
官方联系方式
官方网站：https://www.descansogardens.org
Park Overview
Descanso Gardens is a 150-acre botanical garden located in La Cañada Flintridge, approximately 20 minutes northeast of downtown Los Angeles. The garden features a harmonious blend of meticulously cultivated gardens and nearly wild natural landscapes, making it one of Southern California’s premier urban botanical destinations. Established in 1953 as a public garden, Descanso Gardens earned museum accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums in 2004, officially recognized as a “museum of living collections.” The garden welcomes nearly one million visitors annually.
Founding History
The land that is now Descanso Gardens has a history stretching back thousands of years. The Tongva people were the original inhabitants, relying on the abundant oak groves for food and sustenance. During the Spanish colonial period, the land was incorporated into California’s mission system. Following the Mexican-American War, the territory became part of the United States.
In the late 1930s, entrepreneur Elias Manchester Boddy purchased 165 acres of undeveloped land and established a private ranch and residence. In the 1940s, Boddy hired noted horticulturist Howard Asper to tend his growing camellia collection, and connected with successful Japanese-American growers—F.M. Uyematsu of Star Nursery and Fred and Mitoko Yoshimura of Mission Nursery—who had been cultivating camellias in Southern California before World War II. Following the signing of Executive Order 9066 in 1942, which led to the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans, Boddy purchased their remaining camellia inventories. This acquisition formed the foundation of Descanso Gardens’ signature Camellia Collection.
After World War II, increased residential development prompted Boddy to open his estate to the public in 1953. Concerned neighbors persuaded the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to purchase the property, transforming it from a private estate into a public garden. In 1957, the Descanso Gardens Guild was organized by dedicated neighbors to provide direction and funding. In 1993, the Guild formally took over management of the garden under a contract with L.A. County, a partnership that continues today.
Notable Gardens
The International Rosarium, established in 1994, covers five acres with 1,600 roses, showcasing centuries of rose breeding history including old garden roses, modern roses, and hybrid teas. The Japanese Garden, opened in 1966, was designed by Eijiro Nunokawa, created by Frank Kuwahara, and built with volunteer labor and funding from the Japanese-American community. A traditional Japanese farmhouse (Minka) was added in 1969 by Bob and Mary Matsumoto. The Oak Forest represents the remnants of a local forest, with most oak trees aged 100 to 150 years—a rare and precious remnant of Southern California’s original landscape. The Ancient Forest, opened in 2015, features prehistoric cycads and other “living fossil” plants from the age of dinosaurs. The Camellia Collection tells the poignant story linking WWII-era Japanese-American growers to Descanso Gardens’ origins. The Lilac Garden features hybrid lilacs that thrive in warm Southern California thanks to Descanso’s renowned hybrid experts—a horticultural innovation unique to this garden.
Visitor Information
Hours: 9am–7pm daily. Members may enter early at 8am.
Admission: Adults $9; Children (ages 3–12) $4; Seniors (65+) $6; Students $6. Non-members are encouraged to purchase advance tickets online to skip the line. Memberships provide free daytime admission year-round (364 days).
Facilities: The garden offers dining options, a gift shop, guided tours, educational programs, the Sturt Haaga Gallery, the historic Boddy House, and the Descanso Railroad. Wheelchair accessibility is available throughout the grounds.
Special Events: The annual Enchanted Forest of Light transforms the gardens into a magical nighttime experience each winter—one of Southern California’s most beloved holiday traditions. Carved features creatively decorated pumpkins each fall.
Membership & Support
Descanso Gardens is managed by the Descanso Gardens Foundation, a non-profit organization. Annual memberships provide free daytime admission, event discounts, and member-exclusive programs. Lifetime and Perennial Circle options are also available. The Foundation welcomes contributions through direct donations, planned giving, tribute gifts, and corporate sponsorships. Volunteer opportunities in horticulture, events, education, and guest services are open year-round.
Contact Information
Official Website: https://www.descansogardens.org
