At Descanso, our gardens and collections represent both the diversity of Southern California plants and an examination of the history of our local landscape.
As you stroll through a mix of wild and cultivated land, you’ll find California native plants, an evolving oak woodland, and one of the largest camellia collections in the United States.
Descanso’s horticulture staff invites you to explore each garden and think about the many hands that have cared for the gardens over time and through today.
Map of the gardens
See our current map for a birdseye view of Descanso
Rose Garden
Five acres, 1,600 roses, showcasing hundreds of years of history with old world, new, and hybrid roses
Japanese Garden
Relax in the shade of native Asian plants and classic Japanese Garden features designed to inspire contemplation
Oak Forest
Iconic California coast live oaks from a bygone local forest — most of Descanso’s oak trees are 100-150 years old
Ancient Forest
Wander through an ancient forest filled with prehistoric plant life and imagine the world when dinosaurs roamed
California Garden
Our seemingly subtle California native landscape hides a wealth of Golden State botanical beauty
Center Circle
This fanciful garden creation proves that water-wise plants are wonderfully able to weather drought conditions
Oak Woodland
Wander woodland and meadow on seven acres of heritage Los Angeles Basin landscape
Camellia Collection
Our camellias tell a story of the link between WWII, Japanese-American growers, and Descanso’s first owner
Legendary Lilacs
Most lilacs grow in winter climes, our hybrid lilacs thrive in warm SoCal due to Descanso’s famed hybrid experts