Pagoda of the Three Friends

Today I taught a class in the beautiful Chinese Garden at the Huntington Library in San Marino, CA. We spent most of the day at the boat pavilion and had a spectacular view of the pond and the wonderful landscaping on the other side. This is the Pagoda of the Three Friends - the Bamboo, Pine and Plum. The plum because because it's the first to bloom, the bamboo because it's flexible and bends and the pine because is survives tough surroundings. The Chinese put much thought, feeling and meaning into the design of their gardens. This one is a spectacular place to meditate and be one with nature.

"Pagoda of the Three Friends" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Turquoise Temple

Watching the Korean gymnasts in the Olympics reminded me of this beautiful Korean temple I saw while visiting the Van Dussen Gardens in Vancouver, B.C. last year. Butchart Gardens gets most of the publicity and rightly so, however, the Van Dussen is a hidden treasure. I'm sure the locals are very familiar with it but as a tourist, it was a delight to learn about. If you have the time, try to maneuver the giant hedge maze they have.

"Turquoise Temple" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Lotus Land

Today I attended a meeting of my fellow botanical artists at the Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino near Pasadena. After the meeting, I took advantage and the time to slip into the new Chinese Garden that was just opened earlier this year. They've done a spectacular job with the pagodas, ornamental plantings, koi pond and beautiful tea house. These Lotus plants are enjoying their new location and blooming profusely. Many people mistake them for waterlilies but they differ in that they raise their leaves and flowers out of the water. Their seed pods when dried are often used in decorative dried floral arrangements.

"Lotus Land" © Kathy Dunham 2008