The Huntington, Part 2

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 The Jungle Garden and Conservatory were up next, we needed a break from the sun for a bit.  

The massive aerial roots from the trees (I'm assuming these are Ficus macrocarpa, but I'm no expert) were incredible.  The picture doesn't do it justice,  the roots grow from the branches waaaay overhead and eventually reach the ground.  

It immediately felt cooler in the Jungle garden, a nice break.  No label, but that looks plastic it's so glossy! It's difficult to find labels in the jungle, fyi.  We headed over to the Conservatory for a bigger break from the sun.
Dombeya wallichii, tropical hydrangea Madagascar -was smothered with these pink ball blooms - many on their way out.  This must have been Dr. Seuss magical a week prior. 
They had several of the big stink lilies, Amorphophallus titanum.  I thought the one not opened up yet was the most interesting.  Vincent at the microscope for scale. 
Brownea? somesuch
Oooh, I've never seen this before.  Aristolochia arborea.  A small tree native to Central America it sprouts a fake toadstool to attract fungus gnats.  Why not? 

Sophia casually walking by a long leaved beauty. Anthurium?
Philodendron verrucosum
Beautiful specimens, but I really loved "everything growing on everything" moments. 
Sporetown.  Or Sori-town?
Oh, spikes!  I went over to get a closer look (of course I did).  Lasimorpha senegalensis.  
Then noticed the way up over my head dramatic bloom!
Vanilla orchid, if my memory serves.  It was wild ~vining everywhere!
Another very pretty exotic looking bloom from Cochliostema odoratissima 
But mostly I was enamored with the foliage.
Ridiculous!  
I had a hard time narrowing down what to post.  It was AMAZING, and I definitely want to go back.  Fall or winter to see it at a different time, with softer light.  

I'll be outside today before a big heatwave on Friday, 100° is predicted.  Thankfully it's a short 2 day blast!  I need to get out the parasols to shade some plants.  Hopefully it's not too hot where you are :)

Comments

  1. AnvilcloudMay 28, 2025 at 1:08 PM

    Truly impressive in scale.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tz_gardenMay 28, 2025 at 5:59 PM

      It was a wonderland, and really too much to take in all in one day.

      Delete
  2. Liz A.May 28, 2025 at 1:24 PM

    Ah, some shade. Those are some amazing plants.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kris PetersonMay 28, 2025 at 3:34 PM

    There was a lot more going on in the Huntington's Conservatory during your visit than I recall there was during my last visit. I adore the banyan trees (Ficus macrocarpa aka Moreton Bay figs) at my local botanic garden for the shade they provide - I'd swear that the temperatures are a good 10 degrees cooler under those trees than elsewhere in the surrounding area.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tz_gardenMay 28, 2025 at 6:02 PM

      Yes, you are so right - you just reminded me how cool it felt around them! They are amazing. *Thanks for the correction, I've been loading on the mistakes lately.

      Delete
  4. danger gardenMay 29, 2025 at 9:49 AM

    It looks like maybe the Jungle Garden was opened back up when you visited? Construction kept me away from most of it. Stay cool!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tz_gardenMay 29, 2025 at 12:14 PM

      Oh, I didn't realize it had been closed. We were thankful for the cooler temps in that section. Thanks, I'm popping umbrellas up today!

      Delete
  5. HollisMay 29, 2025 at 1:22 PM

    Yes, beautiful sori! Was it this?—https://www.flickr.com/photos/jbfriday/5352620648

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tz_gardenMay 30, 2025 at 8:04 AM

      Yes, I bet you are right on that! I was so enamored (and it was HUGE) I didn't consider bird's nest.

      Delete
  6. Linda's Relaxing LairMay 29, 2025 at 5:23 PM

    So beautiful and serene.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beth at PlantPostingsMay 29, 2025 at 6:02 PM

    Those trees are incredible. And the conservatory plants are beautiful. Thanks for sharing the highlights of your visit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tz_gardenMay 30, 2025 at 8:05 AM

      Thank you Beth, the trees were amazing. I wish my photos were better - the light was harsh.

      Delete

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I'd love to hear from you, ~Tracy

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