Arthur M. Blanding, Santa Ana Landscape Artist, Dies at 86

Landscape artist Arthur M. Blanding, owner of Blanding Nurseries in Santa Ana from 1924 to 1959, has died of a heart attack. He was 86.

Blanding helped with the original landscaping of portions of Newport Bay, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and the Newport Beach City Hall, said his daughter, Donna Hoyt of Fountain Valley.

“That was at a time before the big corporations would come in and do the landscaping,” Hoyt said.

Blanding was born in Detroit Lakes, Minn., on March 24, 1900. His family moved to Harvey, N.D., where he attended the University of North Dakota. At age 24, he hitched a ride on a train to California and settled in Santa Ana.

A member of the Sierra Club, Blanding often returned from nature walks carrying gum wrappers and other trash that hikers left behind.

“He would always say there should be nothing left behind but footprints,” Hoyt said.

Blanding also was a member of the Horseless Carriage Society, the Toastmasters Club, Save the Redwoods, and a charter member of the Calvary Church of Santa Ana.

In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife of 62 years, Corlinne; a son, Charles of Alta Loma; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Memorial services for Blanding, who died Feb. 19, were held at Calvary Church on Monday.