The Importance of Botanical Gardens

Southern California is home to some of the best botanical gardens around. TimeOut just released its list of the top Japanese and botanical gardens, mansion and institution gardens, and urban and hidden gardens.

1 minute read

February 20, 2024, 10:00 AM PST

By Clement Lau


Pink flowers in bloom in front of wood gazebo/pavilion in Descanso Gardens, Los Angeles.

Blossoms in Descanso Gardens. | Kit Leong / Adobe Stock

The American Public Gardens Association defines a public garden as “an institution that maintains collections of plants for the purposes of public education and enjoyment, in addition to research, conservation, and higher learning. It must be open to the public and the garden’s resources and accommodations must be made to all visitors.”  During the COVID-19 pandemic, public gardens became very popular destinations, serving as places of hope and healing for a weary public. Even with the pandemic over, public gardens continue to be attractions for those seeking places for relaxation and respite. 

The Los Angeles area is home to numerous high quality gardens. In this article, Michael Juliano of TimeOut highlights the following facilities that are worth visiting:

Japanese and botanical gardens

  • The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
  • Descanso Gardens
  • Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
  • Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden
  • South Coast Botanic Garden
  • The Japanese Garden
  • Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
  • James Irvine Japanese Garden

Mansion and institution gardens

  • Getty Center
  • Exposition Park Rose Garden
  • Getty Villa
  • Virginia Robinson Gardens
  • Greystone Mansion

Urban and hidden gardens

  • Amir's Garden
  • Arlington Garden
  • Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine
  • Blue Ribbon Garden at the Walt Disney Concert Hall
  • Los Angeles River Center and Gardens
  • Garden of Oz

For more information about any of the above gardens, please read the source article.

Thursday, February 15, 2024 in TimeOut

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Public Market sign over Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington with pop-up booths on street.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure

After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

May 15 - Cascade PBS

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

May 15 - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

May 15 - Happy Cities