Nature Gardens

Outside in our Nature Gardens

Explore the Nature Gardens, our urban wildlife wonderland. Over 600 kinds of plants—including California natives and others from around the world—make a home for birds, butterflies, lizards, squirrels, and more!

What's in Season?

Plants and animals are up to something every single day in the Nature Gardens. Come discover the sights and sounds of Summer and pick up some ideas that you can try in your own garden.

Close up photograph pink fairy duster flowers

The pink flowers of desert-dwelling fairy duster add starbursts of color during our warm, dry summers.

Photo of green-leafed tree with white trunk

Like natural dry creeks in Southern California, ours is full of vibrant native plants that need water to thrive.

Close-up photo of tiny, fuzzy green kiwi fruit surrounded by broad green leaves.

For the first time, our kiwi vines are bearing fruit!

Close-up photo of waxy yellow pond lily floating on water

Floating atop the water, western pond lily's stunning flowers and bold leaves evoke the lazy days of summer.

Close-up photo of several fluffy pink blooms, all made up of tiny flower clusterss

Small but mighty, the cherry-pink flowers of red-flowered buckwheat attract many kinds of pollinators.

Photo of whitish-blue cluster of berries amongst green leaves

Birds will soon devour the juicy blue-black berries of western elderberry.

Close-up photo of a yellow sunflower with a bee in its center

Loaded with nectar and pollen, annual sunflowers offer a feast for bees.

Butterflies like this western swallowtail are easy to spot sipping nectar from all sorts of colorful flowers.

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The pink flowers of desert-dwelling fairy duster add starbursts of color during our warm, dry summers.

Like natural dry creeks in Southern California, ours is full of vibrant native plants that need water to thrive.

For the first time, our kiwi vines are bearing fruit!

Floating atop the water, western pond lily's stunning flowers and bold leaves evoke the lazy days of summer.

Small but mighty, the cherry-pink flowers of red-flowered buckwheat attract many kinds of pollinators.

Birds will soon devour the juicy blue-black berries of western elderberry.

Loaded with nectar and pollen, annual sunflowers offer a feast for bees.

Butterflies like this western swallowtail are easy to spot sipping nectar from all sorts of colorful flowers.

Did you know? San Gabriel chestnut snails smell like chocolate.

Favorite Spots

You can see familiar plants and discover something new at these special spots in the Nature Gardens.

Pond

Where there’s water, there’s life. Discover the animals that live in or visit this pond and the native plants that thrive here.

Pollinator Meadow

Flowers are blooming, seeds are ripening, and wildlife is paying attention!

Get Dirty Zone

Dig in compost, get creative in the Nature Build area, and look for roots in this hands-on zone.

Living Wall

What lives where stone meets soil? See for yourself along this meandering sandstone wall.

guests family kid guest relations wildlife bird viewing nature fest

Wildlife Viewing

Every bush, flower, and tree in the Nature Gardens was planted to attract animals. And, we’ve created a few special places where you can look for them!