A Garden of Temptations for All Ages
No matter what the weather is like in the rest of the Southland, it is likely to be chilly in the canyon where Descanso Gardens is nestled. That is why the camellias grow larger than orange trees beneath the live oaks, why eastern lilacs may be flowering here (a trifle early this year), and why Descanso is a natural setting for a Christmas show.
The show, a fund-raiser put on by the volunteers of the Descanso Gardens Guild, is guaranteed to put a visitor in the right frame of mind for the coming holidays, with ideas for decorating and a chance to do a little holiday shopping.
For children it will be a wonderland filled with Santas, reindeer, tin soldiers, gingerbread houses, homemade cookies, gaily decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, dolls and toys that waited under great-grandfather’s tree.
The show, which runs through Sunday, is concentrated in two areas on the grounds of Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge--the Georgia Van de Kamp Hall near the entrance and the elegant old Manchester Boddy house up the hill.
In the patio outside Van de Kamp Hall there is a collection of Christmas trees, including one decorated by the children of special education classes who come to the garden every week to work in their own plots.
Inside the hall are trees and other decorations by Guild volunteers and professional designers. There is even a suspended Christmas tree that floats above the floor.
In the center of the hall are tables filled with crafts and across the way is the gift shop filled with Christmas items.
Up in Hospitality House, each room has been professionally re-decorated and then trimmed for the season. Garlands of redwood boughs from the gardens have been draped everywhere and creative wreaths line the halls, including one humorous one made from wine bottle corks by guild member Dottie Aronstam.
In the dining room, tucked into a large multi-paned bay window, behind a valance of fabric printed with antique roses, is a tree by Dianne Thompson of Designs for All Seasons decorated with silk flowers and foliage.
In the large library are crafts of all kinds, including a gingerbread house in a field of whipped snow that will sorely tempt children and several doll houses. One is home to a family of English mice, formally attired.
Children may be tempted in the playroom where a collection of brightly painted Victorian toys has been loaned to the guild by Betty and former Disney animation director Ward Kimball. For that matter, adults may be tempted as well.
The entire house wafts with the aroma of fresh baked cookies, which are served with coffee out in the garden and converted garage. This year’s show is coordinated by Gail Boatwright and Louise Gillespie.
There will be daily demonstrations on wreath making, including herbal wreaths that may be put to practical use in the kitchen, by the garden’s superintendent, George Lewis. There will also be demonstrations on how to make Christmas floral arrangements like those seen at the show, and for those that are all thumbs when it comes to wrapping packages, a demonstration on how to tie bows.
Also on the grounds during the event will be a number of musical groups.
Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive in La Canada Flintridge (818) 790-5414. The show hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $1.50 for adults and 75 cents for seniors and children ages 5 through 17.
