Led by haiku poet Debbie Kolodji, this workshop will include time to walk in the garden and be inspired by the camellias and instruction on writing the traditional Japanese three-line poem.

Free with admission, no advance registration required.

The Camellia Connection: Our Rebirth of Wonder

Celebrate camellias and poetry throughout the month of February at Descanso Gardens.

Camellias can bloom in our coldest and darkest winter season. These brilliant flowers, native to Asia, contain stories of resilience, hope, loss and ingenuity. Descanso supports one of the largest collections of camellias in North America, with more than 3,500 known and recorded plants, representing over 600 varieties.

In collaboration with accomplished poets Amy Uyematsu and Peter Levitt, Descanso is pleased to offer a series of programs that invite exploration, reflection, and participation.

Please note that the Camellia Flower Arranging Demo is canceled

George Harrison, President of Pacific Camellia Society, will lead a flower arranging demonstration featuring camellias.

After the demo, you are welcome to visit the Southern California Camellia Council show in Rose Pavilion from until 4:30pm. 

Please note that the Camellia Society Tour is canceled

Join Dr. Brad King (President of Southern California Camellia Society) and Jim Fitzpatrick (Vice President of Southern California Camellia Society) on a tour of the Camellia Forest.

After the walk, you are welcome to visit the Southern California Camellia Council show in Rose Pavilion from until 4:30pm. 

Come see what happens in the garden during extended hours. Take a tour, dance to music amongst the flowers, learn about nature, enjoy food and drink. Grab some friends and enjoy the gardens in a new way.

Included in the price of admission or Descanso Gardens membership, no reservations required.

Cultivate: Explore SHIKI
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SHIKI exhibit tours with curator Meher McArthur
– Lecture/tour of Sturt Haaga Gallery
– Times: 5–5:45pm | 6–6:45pm

Haiku and tanka poetry reading and performance by Debbie Kolodji and Mariko Kitakubo
– Poetry readings of Kolodji and Kitakubo’s book
– Times: 5–5:30pm | 6–6:30pm

Flashdance DJs
– Times: 4:30–7pm

Activity: Make-your-own haiku poem or woodblock print
– Time: 4:30–7pm

Biographies
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Meher McArthur
Meher McArthur is an Asian art historian specializing in Japanese art. She worked as Curator of East Asian Art at Pacific Asia Museum and Creative Director for the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden, both in Pasadena and was Academic Curator for Scripps College in Claremont and Art and Cultural Director for JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles.

Deborah P Kolodji Bio
Deborah P Kolodji is the Moderator of the Southern California Haiku Study Group, the California Regional Coordinator for the Haiku Society of America, and a member of the board of directors for Haiku North America. She has given hundreds of haiku workshops over the past 15 years.

Mariko Kitakubo
Mariko Kitakubo is a tanka poet/tanka reading performer born in Tokyo (4, Oct. 1959) and living in Mitaka-city, Tokyo. Mariko has published six books of tanka including three bilingual ones, “On This Same Star” , “Cicada Forest”and “INDIGO”. She hopes to encourage more poetry lovers worldwide to appreciate and practice tanka. URL: www.en.kitakubo.com

Come see what happens in the garden during extended hours. Take a tour, dance to music amongst the flowers, learn about nature, enjoy food and drink. Grab some friends and enjoy the gardens in a new way.

Included in the price of admission or Descanso Gardens membership, no reservations required.

Cultivate: Native Plant Stories

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Storytelling workshop with Tina Orduno Calderon
– Tina will share stories and songs with guests as well as speak about the revival of the Tongva language and the fluidity of culture which is integrally connected to language and place
– Times: 4:30–4:50pm and 5–5:20pm
– Location: Amphitheater

Lessons from wildlife with Horticulturist Diana Nightingale
– Times: 5–5:45pm and 6–6:45pm
– Location: Meets at Center Circle

Theodore Payne Nursery Table
– Learn about fire prevention and native plants with Theodore Payne Nursery
– Time: 4:30–7pm
– Location: El Portal

Flashdance DJs
– Have a drink in the Rose Garden bar and enjoy a mix of classic and contemporary songs by our popular guest DJs
– Time: 4:30–7pm
– Location: Rose Garden

Craft activity: Native seed packet
– Time: 4:30–7pm
– Location: Main Lawn

Biographies
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Tina Orduno Calderon
Tina is a Culture Bearer, traditional singer and dancer, storyteller and poet who strives to honor her ancestors and inspire others to respect the lands, water, sacred elements and environment.

Come see what happens in the garden during extended hours. Take a tour, dance to music amongst the flowers, learn about nature, enjoy food and drink. Grab some friends and enjoy the gardens in a new way.

Included in the price of admission or Descanso Gardens membership, no reservations required.

Cultivate: The Five Senses

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Flower installation by florist Whit Hazen

• Watch before your eyes as a flower installation is built throughout the evening, using fragrant plants and flowers gathered from the garden to create a full sensory experience
• Time: 4:30–7pm
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Soundbaths by Marna Currie 

• Enjoy sound baths under the oaks on the Main Lawn
• Times: 5–5:30pm and 6–6:30pm
• Location: Main Lawn
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Flashdance DJ

• Have a drink in the Rose Garden bar and enjoy a mix of classic and contemporary songs by our popular guest DJs
• Time: 4:30–7pm
• Location: Rose Garden
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Activity: Make your own herbal tea bag to take home

• Time: 4:30–7pm

tonalism is a late night, ambient music happening inspired by La Monte Young’s Dream House as well as the work of musicians and composers such as Terry Riley, John Cage, and Yoko Ono.

Join us on Saturday, July 1 from 8pm–1am for live DJ sets, visual elements, and the opportunity to be in the garden as night falls.

Visitors are encouraged to bring pillows, cushions, and sleeping bags to lay down, listen and watch for an extended period of time.

$30 members/$35 non-members. Advance tickets required, click here to purchase tickets.

Come see what happens in the garden during extended hours. Take a tour, dance to music amongst the flowers, learn about nature, enjoy food and drink. Grab some friends and enjoy the gardens in a new way.

Included in the price of admission or Descanso Gardens membership, no reservations required. Please note that chairs, blankets, outside food, and picnics are not permitted.

Cultivate: Wildlife Corridors

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Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy

• Guided Tours of Living in a Wildlife Corridor
• Location: Boddy House
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Cougar Conservancy: Living with Wildlife

• Presentation on the Main Lawn
• Time: 5:30–6:30pm
• Location: Main Lawn
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Leslie K. Gray Art Walk and Talk

• Take a walk with artist Leslie K. Gray to learn more about her Wild Sighting installation in the garden
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Flashdance DJs

• Have a drink in the Rose Garden bar and enjoy a mix of classic and contemporary songs by our popular guest DJs
• Time: 4:30–7pm
• Location: Rose Garden
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Activity: Make-your-own Animal Track

• Create a paw-some animal track with air dry clay
• Time: 4:30–7pm

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Image: Mother of Lions © Robert Martinez, courtesy of Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy