Join us for a walk-through of fruiting bodies with artist Jessica Rath at the Sturt Haaga Gallery on Sunday, January 26 from 1–3pm.

Connecting plants, animals and Descanso Gardens, Jessica Rath and curator Pamela Bailey Lewis present the first major survey of Rath’s contemporary works of art and her exploration of the human manipulation of agriculture and food production.

This exhibition is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.

Please note that Sketching on Location is full.

Join artist Virginia Hein in this four-week art series to learn to sketch the varied landscapes of Descanso using a variety of media. Meets on four Saturdays from February 1–22 at Minka in the Japanese Garden.

$90 members, $120 non-members. Registration required. Please note that this program is non-refundable.

Image: © Virginia Hein

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$5 members, $15 non-members. Advance tickets required. Get your tickets here.

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SCHEDULE

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Rose Garden

• Star Talks
  • 5:30, 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30 & 8pm
• Star Gazing
  • 5:30–8pm
• Concession Stand
  • 5:30–8pm
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Promenade

• Live Music with Hana Hibiki Duo (Koto & Shakuhachi)
  •  5:45–6:45pm & 7:15–8:15pm
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Van de Kamp Hall

• Shadow Puppet Shows with Leslie K. Gray
  • 6–6:15pm, 6:45–7pm, 7:30–7:45pm
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Magnolia Lawn

• Star Crafting
  • 5:30–8pm

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Come see displays of orchids, bromeliads, and other tropical plants in the Boddy House Solarium from February 8 to March 8.

The Boddy House is open 10am – 4pm daily.

To see the 2pm plant forage, click here.

In conjunction with fruiting bodies at the Sturt Haaga Gallery, ecological systems engineer nance klehm will lead a plant forage on Saturday, February 29. $20 members, $30 non-members. Advance registration required, register here.

Both humans and pollinators have forged strong relationships with some of the same perennial and woody plants. During this forage, we will encounter and learn about flowering plants visited by native bees and their shared history with humans for food and medicine. The walk will end with a foraged herbal tea and light foraged snack.

fruiting bodies is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.

In conjunction with fruiting bodies at the Sturt Haaga Gallery, ecological systems engineer nance klehm will lead a plant forage on Saturday, February 29. $20 members, $30 non-members. Advance registration required, register here.

Both humans and pollinators have forged strong relationships with some of the same perennial and woody plants. During this forage, we will encounter and learn about flowering plants visited by native bees and their shared history with humans for food and medicine. The walk will end with a foraged herbal tea and light foraged snack.

fruiting bodies is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.

Please note that Forages with nance klehm on March 1 is sold out.

In conjunction with fruiting bodies at the Sturt Haaga Gallery, ecological systems engineer nance klehm will lead a beginner’s mushroom walk on Sunday, March 1. $20 members, $30 non-members. Advance registration required.

Explore the native Oak Woodland for mycelium and fruiting bodies of mushrooms. Learn the life cycle of fungi and how to identify mushroom species. The walk will end with a mushroom tea.

fruiting bodies is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.

Please note that Shakespeare in the Garden is canceled until March 31. 

Ensemble Shakespeare Theater returns with performances amongst Descanso’s spring blooms every Saturday and Sunday in March and April. This fun, funny, moving production will travel to peak bloom spots as the season changes, showcasing a blooming botanical backdrop for your favorite Shakespeare scenes. Meets at Center Circle.

No registration required. Included in the price of regular admission. Free to Descanso Gardens members. Please note that this program does not meet on Sunday, April 12.

Bask in the early tulip blooms and cherry blossoms at Cultivate: Nature Sounds & Wildlife on March 7. Learn about the wildlife that surrounds us with nature talks, displays, and a special performance of “BEE SONG” during a night of discovery.

$5 members, $15 non-members. Advance registration required. Register online here.

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SCHEDULE

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Main Lawn
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• “BEE SONG” | 5:45, 6:30 & 7:15pm
  The world-renowned Bob Cole Conservatory Chamber Choir from California State University, Long Beach performs a special arrangement of “BEE SONG” by composer Robert Hoehn. Written for the Resonant Nest, part of the exhibition in the Sturt Haaga Gallery, this 15-minute score was inspired by the daily activity of a bumblebee colony.
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• Native Plant Display | 5:30–8pm
  Learn all about bee-friendly plants and chat with experts about our local native bees.
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• Pollinator Craft | 5:30–8pm
  Enjoy a hands-on activity inspired by the plants and insects around us.
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• The Kitchen at Descanso Food and Drink | 5:30–8pm
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Hilltop Gardens
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• Nature Talks by Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy  | 6, 6:30 & 7pm
  Learn all about the urban wildlife in our city, hear from experts about motion-sensor camera trapping and more.
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• Sturt Haaga Gallery, fruiting bodies exhibition open | 5:30-8:15pm
  The Gallery stays open late for you to explore.
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• PLAY evolution | 6–6:20, 6:40–7, 7:20–7:40 & 8–8:20pm
  Embark on an adventure with PLAY and tap into your most child-like self. Each participant will be given a set of silent dj headphones, and will be guided to explore, move and make noise.
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• The Kitchen at Descanso Food and Drink | 5:30–8pm