Traveling The World A Garden At A Time

The Italian garden with it’s “chain” fountain running through the garden. Love the effect of the sun on the water making the water droplets sparkle.

“The only reason why we ask other people how their weekend was is so we can tell them about our own weekend.” – Chuck Palahniuk

As I find places to visit and revisit a weekend at a time, my friends have now gotten into the act with suggestions. This weekend found me wandering at the Gardens of the World in Thousand Oaks a suggestion from my friend Mala.

These gardens were designed and built by Ed and Lynn Hogan, founders of Pleasant Holidays to commemorate travel and the various cultures of the world. The gardens are free to the public, privately owned and managed by the Hogan Family Foundation.

Plants, water features and strategically placed statuary bring to life gardens from England, France, Italy and Japan with a solid nod to California with the Mission Courtyard.

There are wheel chair friendly paths through out the gardens, and while Southern California was still sweltering I spent a pleasant afternoon wandering along these paths and spending a few moments relaxing in shady nooks. I’ve resolved that I’m going to visit again and follow the example of the gentleman I found relaxing in a breezy arbor with a book.

I drove in parked, collected a map and started to walk towards the bandstand that is in the center. But I soon veered and started my garden walk at the rose garden.

The rose garden is a perennial English garden carefully cultivated with 350 varieties of rose bushes of various colors that bloom between bushes and hedges of perennials that provide a wonderful foil.

There are three types of roses in the garden: bush, tree and climber but these arbors with their wonderful climbing roses provide a splash of color and the romance of walking under the trellises.

The bandstand is at the center of the garden surrounded by a green space. I did not spend too much time here just walked around it a couple of times since I kind of took a zig zag path through the various gardens.

This waterfall in front of the entry gates is magnificent. It’s part of the French garden with its low lying hedges and flowers arranged in intricate shapes. I fear that my picture has really not done it justice especially with the the sunshine on the water which in this instance makes it look like greyish grass.

These arbors offer a nice touch of shade and a lovely spot for dreaming.

The Mission Courtyard with murals of the 21 missions painted by local artists on the walls that form the courtyard. I actually believe my selfie taking skills are improving.

The courtyards traditionally had four walls surrounding a center fountain. I have already resolved to follow the mission trail one of these days and visit all the California missions but seeing these beautiful murals and the map of missions here solidified that desire. Stay tuned for the mission adventure coming soon.

The Japanese garden is a tranquil haven with its beautiful pagoda surrounded by water features and a Koi pond encircled with bamboo and bridges. Such a wonderful spot to breathe and refresh your spirits.

The water features all over the garden add a cool and refreshing note.

The reception courtyard with its ivy covered walls and array of plants. This area is actually closed to the public and I entered the gardens along the sides but I couldn’t resist stopping to take a picture of how beautiful and welcoming it looks.

As I wrapped up my walk I stopped across the street at the beautiful Lakes for a bite to eat watching this beautiful man made water feature with its ducks and bridges. An absolutely fitting end to an afternoon stroll.

Another beautiful weekend wander. What a wonderful way to get some exercise, have something to talk about on Monday morning and refresh and rejuvenate for another working week to come. While the Gardens are built over 4.5 acres of land the actual walk around was only a little over a mile.