Gardening : In Corona del Mar, Gardens to Discover Through Sight, Smell or Touch
You probably won’t find botanists in the gardens of the Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona del Mar. Instead, you may find artists, avid gardeners and--most commonly--people who enjoy exploring and relaxing in a beautiful and tranquil setting.
Sherman Library and Gardens is by far the smallest of the Southland botanic gardens. However, this two-acre jewel is one of the most beautiful horticultural attractions in Southern California.
According to Wade Roberts, the garden director, a great number of gorgeous and interesting plants have been packed into a small area where one does not have to hike miles of trails to enjoy them. And although the gardens feature many unusual plants, they weren’t designed exclusively for horticulturists, they were planned to cover a wide range of interests.
To Touch and Smell
For instance, the Discovery Garden was designed especially for blind people as a touch-and-smell garden, where gardening classes for the blind, sanctioned by the Braille Institute of Orange County, are held frequently.
In addition, disabled visitors in wheelchairs are attracted to this garden, as the plants all are in containers placed at wheelchair height. In fact, the entire facility, including restrooms, was designed with the handicapped in mind.
Among the fascinating plants in the Discovery Garden is one called lamb’s ear, which Roberts describes as “the softest plant on Earth.” The plant is intriguing with its ultrasoft, velvety silver foliage. Among the fragrant attractions are coconut geraniums and pineapple sage, both emitting odors like that of their namesakes.
Children in particular like the tropical conservatory, where tropical plants are grown in a controlled environment. Of interest to children and adults alike are a small coconut palm growing out of an actual coconut--just the way it would on a tropical island--a banana plant with stalks of bananas on it, and various carnivorous plants.
Jewels of the Tropics
The conservatory is packed with beautiful orchids, ferns, bromeliads and other tropical jewels. A koi pond and waterfall occupy another part of the conservatory. The torch ginger, one of several ginger varieties in the conservatory, is fascinating, with its striking blend of red, yellow and orange on each flower actually resembling a flaming torch.
Three magnificent color gardens are spaced throughout the facility. These are among the features that distinguishes the Sherman from other botanic gardens.
No matter what the season, there always are flowers in bloom in these gardens. Corona del Mar’s mild climate makes this possible. In the summer you will discover carpets of dianthus in various shades of red, pink, white and lavender, along with other flowers that are in season. In winter and early spring, enjoy displays of Iceland poppies, primroses, tulips and other cool-season blooms. The color in these gardens is changed four or five times a year, with flowers to match each season.
The color gardens with their fountains and pools will give the visitor a multitude of garden design ideas. They are a popular habitat for painting classes and photographers.
Other Theme Gardens
Moving on through the gardens one encounters a fern grotto, desert garden, shade garden, rose garden and a tea garden. The fern grotto contains spectacular specimens of staghorn and moosehorn ferns, along with a wide variety of other ferns and cycads.
The desert garden contains an impressive cactus and succulent collection. Most of these plants will do well in the majority of Southland climatic zones, and it is an ideal place to visit when contemplating a xeriscape for your yard, as the plants are all labeled.
A wide selection of plants in the shade garden includes most of the Sherman’s impressive begonia collection, and in the rose garden there’s a colorful collection of modern roses, labeled to help in choosing a variety for a particular landscape.
You will want to linger in the tea garden and, perhaps, sit at one of the tables and enjoy a light lunch or a snack. Food is served Saturday through Tuesday in the tea garden. This garden also includes a concentration of hanging baskets, including 25 gorgeous fuchsias.
Roberts is particularly proud of three 12-foot specimens of angel’s trumpet. These plants produce copious quantities of large trumpet-shaped flowers that include colors of apricot, wine and cream. Roberts says these spectacular, but little-known plants will grow well in the milder Southland climatic zones, but cautions that, like oleander, the plants are poisonous.
Don’t leave the gardens without visiting the most magnificent specimen of a California pepper tree that I have ever seen. It has a spread of 65 feet and was planted in 1940 to accompany a little adobe house, now part of the library. Incidentally, all the buildings on the grounds are prime examples of Early California architecture.
Historical Library
After you’re through visiting the gardens, allow yourself time to visit the library. The focus here is on the history of the Pacific Southwest. It is a historical research library that is frequented by scholars, but is also open to the public.
Among the diversified library items is a vast collection of California city directories dating back to the late 1800s. Genealogists who have roots in California will particularly enjoy exploring these. Included here is an 1882 Los Angeles phone directory that lists fewer than 100 names; all phone numbers are one or two digits.
When in the library, take a few minutes to visit with William Hendricks, the library director and a fascinating source of Southwest historical lore.
The Sherman Library and Gardens was named in the memory of Moses H. Sherman, a pioneer California educator and entrepreneur. It was founded by the late Arnold Haskell, a business associate of Sherman. It is tended by a small but dedicated staff and a large enthusiastic volunteer group. The facility offers horticulture and history lectures and various tours, classes and programs. A gift shop is located on the premises, featuring books, plants and gift items. Memberships are available; support-group members enjoy many special attractions.
The Sherman Library and Gardens is located at 2647 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar; phone (714) 673-2261. The garden and gift shop are open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is a $2 admission charge for adults; $1 for ages 12-16, and free admission for 11 and younger. All ages are admitted free on Mondays. The library is free and is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free parking lot in the rear.
