All Photos By Gail

On my last full day in California, I spent a couple of late afternoon hours strolling through the very beautiful Descanso Gardens, a 150-acre botanical garden located in the La Cañada Flintridge area of Los Angeles. The daylight was already starting to fade, but I got some good shots of the many varieties of gorgeous flowers that are still blooming even in late December. Enjoy!

Descanso is well-known for their signature pink Camellias, of which there are numerous varieties.

Of course, I love anything that is pink. This one has a tiny wound on one petal, but its beauty is unspoiled.

You would almost think you are in Hawaii when you see flowers like this!

For the Holiday season, Descanso hosts a special evening event called Enchanted Forest of Light, which competes with the numerous Chinese Lantern Festivals going on at the LA Zoo, the LA Arboretum, and elsewhere. This prismatic star is just one of the many added features that help to transform the nighttime garden into fantasy wonderland for this always sold-out event!

I’m guessing that this prism is illuminated from within once the sun sets.

While the beds are not necessarily lush at this time of year, the Roses are still in bloom and looking good!

I love how the petals of this delicate pink bloom are almost translucent.

This flower is called an African Daisy.

These Yellow Snapdragons have a tiny visitor!

Yellow Chrysanthemums!

Red Thistles – gorgeous!

Daffodils!

I don’t know the proper name of this tropical-looking plant with its tiny pink berries, but I have seen one like it at the NYBG in the Bronx.

Purple Irises!

Descanso Gardens is Located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011.