Descanso Gardens says windstorm caused $30,000 in revenue loss

A forced three-day closure due to damage caused by the Nov. 30 windstorm resulted in a $30,000 loss in revenue to Descanso Gardens, officials there announced Tuesday.

The facility, which suffered the loss of six trees, several uprooted plants and damaged irrigation systems, was closed Dec. 1-Dec. 3 due to the clean-up that was required, as well as to an extended power outage.

“Fortunately, Descanso Gardens largely escaped serious damage and loss from the windstorm event, re-opening to the community Sunday morning, December 4, with partial power. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to our public garden colleagues at The Arboretum and The Huntington, and we are pleased to welcome members of both those institutions to Descanso, free of admission charge, through the balance of 2011,” stated David R. Brown, executive director of Descanso Gardens, in the news release.

No damage was reported to Descanso’s famed camellia collection, according to spokesperson Jill Mamey.

-- Carol Cormaci, Times Community News

Twitter: @carolcormaci