Descanso Gardens will extend its hours and host numerous seasonal activities as impending spring arrives at the La Cañada Flintridge botanical destination, garden administrators announced Thursday. (This year the official first day of Spring is March 20.)
The garden will remain open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily beginning March 10 for members and March 17 for the general public, continuing through August 31, according to the announcement.
“Spring is a magical time at Descanso Gardens. As the landscape comes to life with vibrant blooms, we invite visitors to experience the beauty of nature in new and inspiring ways,” said Juliann Rooke, CEO of Descanso Gardens.
The extended schedule coincides with several special events, including “Daphne’s Wardrobe,” an art exhibition curated by Carole Ann Klonarides in the Sturt Haaga Gallery & Boddy House from March 1 to June 1.
Visitors can participate in guided walking tours with the horticulture team from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. to discover seasonal blooms on select weekends in March, April and May, along with family-friendly spring-themed craft activities from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
A special wearable nature art workshop will be held on April 5, at either 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1 to 2:30 p.m., where participants can create headpieces using natural materials from the gardens under the guidance of artist Melissa Meier, costing $40 for members and $50 for non-members.
Descanso will host Earth Week celebrations from April 21-27 featuring displays about California native plants and the garden’s oak trees from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., along with special horticulture tours from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. highlighting conservation efforts.
The garden will participate in the 2025 City Nature Challenge from April 25-28, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., an international bioblitz where visitors can use the iNaturalist app to document biodiversity throughout Descanso’s ecosystem.
Monthly “Cultivate” events from 4:30 to 7 p.m. invite visitors to experience the gardens through interactive tours, live music and activities, with March 28 focusing on camellias, April 25 exploring watersheds, and May 23 celebrating birds and pollinators.
Founded as a public garden in 1953, Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive in La Cañada Flintridge and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Regular admission costs $15 for adults, $11 for seniors and students, $5 for children aged 5 to 12, and is free for children under 5, with membership options available that include free admission and early entry.
For more information, call (818) 949-4200 or visit descansogardens.org.
