Botanical Showplaces

Although Corona del Mar means Crown of the Sea and boasts a spectacular coastline, inland from the ocean you’ll discover another splendid treasure of that attractive town. It’s the Sherman Library and Gardens.

Few motorists passing a block-long fence on the coast highway would imagine the beauty behind it, a two-acre botanical showplace of plants from around the world. “We’re Orange County’s best-kept secret,” says garden director Wade Roberts.

There’s certainly no intention to keep the public away from the delightful garden; visitors are welcome every day. It was established in 1966 by the nonprofit Sherman Foundation as a tribute to an early promoter of the Southland, Moses H. Sherman.

Known as General Sherman, he developed Los Angeles land and public transportation and has been memorialized by a city and street in the San Fernando Valley, Sherman Oaks and Sherman Way. He died a wealthy man in 1932 at his home in Newport Harbor.

Sherman’s heirs spent more than $2 million to create the gardens and a research library that chronicles the amazing growth of California and neighboring Pacific Southwest.

Yule Trees on Display

After a self-guiding tour of Sherman Gardens, visit another botanical haven in Corona del Mar, Roger’s Gardens. The one-of-a-kind nursery bills itself as America’s most beautiful garden center. This time of year you’re treated to 30 Christmas trees with unusual decoration themes, such as nautical ornaments.

By timing your trip for next Sunday, visitors also can join in Corona del Mar’s Christmas Walk, a traditional holiday open house by merchants along the coast highway. Passers-by are served refreshments and entertained by carolers and Santa Claus.

To reach Corona del Mar from Los Angeles, drive south on Interstates 710 and 405. Exit onto California 73, which joins MacArthur Boulevard and ends at California 1, Pacific Coast Highway.

Turn left and then look right for Sherman Library and Gardens that occupies the block between Dahlia and Fernleaf avenues. Both streets lead to a parking lot behind the garden.

Walk back to Coast Highway and the main entrance, open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $1 for adults, 25 cents for ages 12-16; entry is free on Mondays.

Peaceful Sanctuary

Inside the pretty and peaceful sanctuary are more than a thousand plant species, from tropical orchids to desert cactus. Go into the garden shop and pay 50 cents for the booklet with a guide map and descriptions of the garden’s main attractions.

Among the first stops is the tropical conservatory where you’ll see a few of the 25,000 species of orchid that make it the largest family of flowering plants. Close by you can observe carnivorous plants that trap and devour insects for nourishment.

Also in the greenhouse look for varied bromeliads, enormous staghorn ferns and a pond with colorful koi fish.

Just outside (and not in the guide booklet) is a new display of potted herbs called the Discovery Garden. Especially designed for blind visitors, it features plants that can be enjoyed by touch and odor. Signs identify the herbs for their uses in cooking, cosmetics, medicine, perfume and dyes.

The central garden area is highlighted by a pair of sculptured herons and color beds of seasonal flowers. Beyond in an enclosed patio you’ll see an intricate tile mural handcrafted in Brazil more than 45 years ago.

The patio is used for midweek luncheons for subscribing members of Sherman Gardens and for Wednesday gardening classes. Occasionally on Saturday mornings free gardening programs are presented; next on the schedule is a program on staghorn ferns, Feb. 21.

Display of Cacti

In another area of the grounds is an impressive display of cacti and succulents. Included are the useful agave plants, and the healing aloes that are members of the lily family.

Continue into a small adobe that was built in 1940 and holds changing historical exhibits from the Sherman Library collections. Newspaper clippings, photos and maps illustrate the current subject, earthquakes in California.

The adjoining library is open to the public for research and has an exceptional collection of material documenting the growth of the Pacific Southwest over the past 100 years.

One booklet tells the life story of General Sherman, who left his home in Vermont to teach school in the Arizona Territory. Later he became a Los Angeles entrepreneur, establishing an electric railway and a steamship company. The general even started the little town of Sherman, known today as West Hollywood.

On weekends and Mondays drinks and light snacks are available in the tea garden where you can relax at tables beneath a canopy of hanging flower baskets. The fund-raising garden shop has plant books and other gifts for sale. Handmade Christmas items will be available beginning Thursday.

For a Guided Tour

For more information about Sherman Library and Gardens or to arrange a guided group tour, call (714) 673-2261.

On Dec. 7 you’ll find holiday cheer along the Coast Highway and in stores hosting Corona del Mar’s Christmas open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Half a mile inland the yule season has been in full swing since the beginning of the month at Roger’s Gardens. To join in its annual Christmas Fantasy, return north on MacArthur Boulevard (California 73) and turn right on San Joaquin Hills Road.

The 7 1/2-acre nursery of plants and flowers has been draped indoors and out with holiday decorations. Nightly from dusk until 9 p.m. 500 candles are lighted to guide visitors along the garden pathways.

One path leads to a gazebo moved from Disneyland’s Main Street as headquarters for Santa Claus. Look for the topiary trees that have been pruned into the shapes of a reindeer and other animals. Ornament-laden Christmas trees will give you ideas for decorating your own. Roger’s Gardens opens at 9 a.m. daily.

Visitors can choose from several restaurants along Pacific Coast Highway, including Rothchild’s, Hemingways, The Park, Five Crowns, Carmelo’s, Gen Kai and Trees.

Round trip from Los Angeles for a garden holiday in Corona del Mar is 95 miles.