Summer blooms the color of the sun

Like a constellation of yellow stars, Nature's Table is lit up by bright yellow squash blossoms. The lily-like flowers are easy to spot peaking from beneath foliage. The amaranth is cascades in fuchsia.

More yellow greets visitors in the parking lot where the cassia trees are covered in big pompoms of bright yellow blossoms.

In the Natives Garden, the palo verde tree bears sunny flowers. Buckwheat is blooming in billows of cream. The herbaceous datura is sending out trumpet-shaped flowers.

In the Mission Garden, angel's trumpet (brugmansia), heralds summer. Repeat blooming roses fill the Rose Garden with heavenly fragrance.  The chaste tree (vitex) is in bloom, along with companion plantings like rudbeckia.

About the Descanso camellias

Descanso’s famed camellia collection draws thousands of visitors a year. Recent news reports in the New York Times (7-27-10) and the Los Angeles Times (7-17-10) discussed the Gardens’ long-range concept plan, which includes relocating a portion of this collection.

We want to stress: Descanso is not “getting rid” of its camellias. We are home to North America’s largest camellia collection with more than 34,000 plants and more than 700 camellia taxa, which includes species, varieties, cultivars and hybrids. Camellias were first grown here as a business venture to supply the cut flower trade. Camellias have been part of Descanso Gardens landscape for more than 70 years. We value our collection and respect its long history in the Gardens.

We equally treasure our forest of Coast Live Oaks. These oaks are youngsters by tree standards. The oldest oak on the property is perhaps 250 years old. With proper care, these majestic and iconic California native trees can live for upwards of 700 years. Our stand of oaks, an urban forest, is a Southern California treasure.

Our understanding of plant science has advanced since E. Manchester Boddy planted the first camellias in Descanso soil. The simple fact is this: Camellias and oaks do not make good neighbors. This is why we are considering relocating a portion our camellia collection.

Walking through Descanso’s Rose Garden, you will notice something a little different – not all the plants here are roses! In fact, interspersed between the 3,000 rose plants are a wide variety of companion plants, annuals, perennials, shrubs and herbs that not only accentuate the natural beauty of the roses, but serve a practical purpose as well.

“Our companion plants provide biodiversity to the garden and attract a wide range of pollinators, especially native bees,” says Rose Garden Horticulturist Amanda Everett. “Also, the plants that grow between the roses act as a buffers to prevent any diseases that could spread between the rose plants.” Amanda adds that the companion plants also help the Rose Garden keep its colorful complexion during the winter months after the roses have been pruned. “These plants offer color and interest when the roses are resting,” she says.

This month, take a special look at the companion plants that make the Rose Garden their home. Not all of these plants are labelled, however, so you may want to bring along a pocket guide or a botanically minded friend!