If you have lived in Southern California for most of your life, then you may have visited the amazing Huntington Library located in San Marino. This property once owned by a railroad magnate, is on 200 acres, you can visit 12 specialized gardens, an art museum with famous artist from around the world a Library that holds rare books and manuscripts, several dining options including their very own tea house and one of the most beautiful gift stores that I have ever been to.
A Place to Relax and Recharge
Sometimes on my days off from working at Chino Hills Self Storage, I will visit the Library so that I can wind down while enjoying the gardens, usually I will choose one or two because it’s a place you do not want to be rushed, you simply want to take in the beauty and the aromas that fill the atmosphere. It’s a perfect place for me to wind down after a busy but very satisfying week at Chino Hills Self Storage. My most favorite garden among them all is the fabulous Chinese Garden.
This Garden is one of the finest classical Chinese gardens outside of China, in fact, once I step into its dramatic 15 acres I feel like I’m visiting China. It’s known as Liu Fang Yuan, the Garden of Flowing Fragrance. But, besides the most exhilarating fragrances, you can hear the birds singing, bees buzzing and the sound of waterfalls in the distant, it’s truly a magical garden.
Inspired by the Historic Gardens of Suzhou
The garden was inspired by the Gardens of Suzhou, a city in southeastern China. The garden was created during the Ming Dynasty between 1368-1644. Wealthy scholars and merchants built private gardens combining architecture, waterworks, rockeries, plants and calligraphy throughout, and you certainly get a taste of that in this garden right here in southern California.
The garden was designed to coexist with its natural location. The expansive lake with large Koi Fish is called The Lake of Reflected Fragrance which shimmers in the same natural basin where once water is collected from the seasonal rains. Native oaks remain within the garden as well and are protected in such a way that the roots will always be healthy and strong. As you walk through the pathways, each area has its own unique view, one can tell that each part of the garden was designed like a meticulously painted portrait.
The Symbolism of Plants and Seasons
This Suzhou-style garden is filled with plants of great significance. Certain flowers represent the seasons, other plants stand for human qualities such as purity (lotus) or humility (orchid), there is Pine evergreen and bamboo that never breaks, and plum trees that flower in the winter when other plants lay dormant waiting to shine again upon the right season. And then there is my favorite “three friends of the cold season” which represent perseverance through difficult times, this being my favorite because daily I help our customers at Chino Hills Self Storage to navigate through difficult times while they are transitioning. All the flora for the seasons can be seen as you take a rest and relax in the beautiful ornate pavilion next to the lake, although there are many resting places to take in scenery that surrounds you. Every vantage point is truly breathtaking!
Along with the flora of the seasons are unusual rock features, these rock formations were essential in the design because they are believed to give energy, and as I write these words I can attest to that being true because as I stood in front of them I did feel an adrenaline rush, it was quite amazing. The rocks of energy were quarried in various parts of China; they are a type of limestone and are renowned for their unique shapes and holes. Within the garden there a prized rock formation called the Towering stone that’s near the teahouse tucked away in a serene secluded corner where you can enjoy some chines dishes and or quench your thirst from the water station that is offered there, to me it was the best water I think I have every tasted.
Every pavilion and courtyard bear name in Chines characters. The calligraphic inscriptions were written by 30 or more from around the world even some from the United States. The names that were inscribed were drawn from classic work of Chinese literature, all carefully chosen for each specific architectural structure, or courtyard.
An International Collaboration
The collaboration of the garden that took many years was an international effort. The plan of the garden was developed by designers in Suzhou and American architects were brought it to make sure that it would be seismically sound and was designed for all to enjoy even those with disabilities. The gardens visible building materials; wood beams; roofing tiles, granite terraces, paving pebbles were all sourced from China, sourced and installed by teams of Suzhou artisans, beneath their handiwork lie concrete foundations and steel frameworks sourced and installed by American construction workers, so you can see that it took internation effort to bring this beautiful garden into existence.
I highly urge you to visit but also to check the calendar of events that take place within the gardens. Every Wednesday soloist musicians offer recitals in the garden, there are monthly lectures about the history and background on East Asian Gardens. Ther are exhibitions that explore Chinese art and garden culture. These and other programs are coordinated through the East Asian Garden Studies so be sure to check the calendar of events while planning your visit.
A Garden That Stays With You
I am not a Gardner, I lack the green thumb so to be able to visit a garden such as this is exhilarating, it brings me solace, it fills me with peace, it rejuvenates me, it fills my spirit with color and energy and I hope I was able to help you the reader to feel the words that I am trying to convey. This garden needs to be on your bucket list; it’s an experience that can breathe new life into you. I hope your life’s path will lead you to Liu Fang Yuan; the Garden of Flowing Fragrance.
And maybe one day your path will lead you to us at Chino Hills Self Storage, or as I like to think of it as “Three Friends of the Cold Season,” a place like the Chinese Garden that can help you through the difficult times.
The Huntington Library
1151 Oxford Rd.
San Marino, Ca. 91108
(626) 405-2100
Chino Hills Self Storage
15315 Red Barn Ct.
Chino Hills, CA 91709
(909) 393-8898
