Sword Ferns, Sydney Botanic Garden, Sydney, NSW, Australia [Photography]

A dense, close-up view of various types of foliage including bright green ferns and dark purple leaves. The upper portion is dominated by lush, serrated green fern fronds that overlap one another. Tucked beneath and around these ferns are larger, broader leaves in deep shades of burgundy and dark green. This arrangement creates a highly textured surface made of overlapping plant layers. No soil or containers are visible within the frame.

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Azalea Flowers, Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, CSULB, Long Beach, California [Prints Available]

A close-up photograph shows a dense cluster of pink and purple flowers. The blossoms range in color from vibrant magenta to pale pink with darker pink markings near their centers. Many petals feature white edges and delicate dark pink speckles or streaks. Thin stamens extend from the center of several flowers, which are interspersed with dark green leaves. The overlapping blooms fill the entire frame.

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Dedicated in April 1981, the 1.3 acre garden was built through the generosity of Mrs. Loraine Miller Collins in memory of her late husband, Earl Burns Miller. Following three years of planning, in cooperation with California State University Long Beach, landscape architect Edward R. Lovell was chosen to oversee its creation. The resulting garden reflects the university’s continued interest in international education, student and community engagement, as well as the Miller’s interests in nature and wellness.  The university is delighted to share this educational, cultural, and aesthetic resource with you. – CSULB

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Pines, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden [Photography]

A vertical photograph displays a dense collection of various green trees against an overcast sky. In the center, a tall coniferous tree with layered, horizontal branches extends upward. To the left, other trees feature broader leaves and visible greyish-white branches. The bottom of the frame is filled with thick, dark green foliage and overlapping evergreen branches. Above the canopy, the sky consists of heavy, textured clouds in shades of blue, grey, and white.

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Swing Into Spring Show Garden, The 36th Annual Southern California Spring Garden Show, Costa Mesa, California

A photograph of an indoor atrium featuring a large wooden pergola structure over a landscaped seating area. Hanging from the slatted wooden frame is a woven, dome-shaped lamp emitting warm light, positioned above a white cushioned lounge chair with green and cream pillows. Below the pergola, two black wire chairs sit on a small wooden platform surrounded by gravel and various lush plants including dark purple foliage.

SWING INTO SPRING

This garden display highlights the fluidity between indoor and outdoor living, designed to serve as an open-air extension of the home into the garden. The warm palette and comfortable furnishings create a sanctuary that balances structural privacy with organic softness. At the heart of the design is a suspended swing, reimagining the traditional garden bench as a luxury interior piece. This garden offers a peaceful, flowing connection – a destination tailored for indoor/outdoor enjoyment.

DESIGNED BY Camille Beehler Landscape Design

 

The 36th Annual Southern California Spring Garden Show

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Lantern, Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, CSULB, Long Beach, California

A black and white photograph shows a multi-tiered stone pagoda situated within a lush, wooded garden. The scene is framed by the thick, textured trunk of a tree on the right and large branches arching across the top of the frame. In the center, the small stone structure stands among various trees and plants. A large rock rests in the midground, surrounded by leafy groundcover and ferns. The background consists of dense, overlapping foliage and more trees.

Follow me on Instagram at @douglaswelch, @dewdesignphoto, and @agardenersnotebook and Pixelfed.

Dedicated in April 1981, the 1.3 acre garden was built through the generosity of Mrs. Loraine Miller Collins in memory of her late husband, Earl Burns Miller. Following three years of planning, in cooperation with California State University Long Beach, landscape architect Edward R. Lovell was chosen to oversee its creation. The resulting garden reflects the university’s continued interest in international education, student and community engagement, as well as the Miller’s interests in nature and wellness.  The university is delighted to share this educational, cultural, and aesthetic resource with you. – CSULB

Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri), Santa Barbara Botanic Garden [Photography]

A close-up photograph features a single large white flower with a bright yellow center against a dark, textured background of foliage. The wide petals are white and have a delicate, crinkled texture with irregular edges. At the heart of the blossom is a dense cluster of many small, vibrant yellow stamens. Below the flower, green leaves with serrated edges are visible among dark stems. The surrounding background consists of out-of out-of-focus greenery, including small white buds and shadowy branches.

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Welcoming Family Retreat Show Garden, The 36th Annual Southern California Spring Garden Show, Costa Mesa, California

 

RELAX, PLAY & ENTERTAIN

Step inside your new outdoor living space. Bring the comfort of home to the yard while you lounge on yc shaded outdoor bed and take in the garden sights. Lovely shade trees, native and low-water plants create garden rooms that welcome children and pets with treats and water play areas. Later enjoy your private shower under the sun and then sip beverages while you enjoy appetizers and pizza from your chef’s kitchen. Watch the sun go down on a perfect day as you bring the inside to your outdoor retreat.

Designed by Perfect Circle Gardens & Interiors

The 36th Annual Southern California Spring Garden Show

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Lake and Bridge View 2, Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, CSULB, Long Beach, California [Photography]

A vertical photograph shows a lush, green garden featuring a small stream and an arched bridge. In the center, a white, low-arched bridge with horizontal railings spans across a narrow waterway. The dark water of the stream reflects the surrounding greenery and contains several pink water lilies on floating green lily pads. Manicured evergreen shrubs, rocks, and patches of purple flowers line the edges of the water. A variety of tall, dense green trees and pine branches frame the scene against a blue sky with light clouds.

Follow me on Instagram at @douglaswelch, @dewdesignphoto, and @agardenersnotebook and Pixelfed.

Dedicated in April 1981, the 1.3 acre garden was built through the generosity of Mrs. Loraine Miller Collins in memory of her late husband, Earl Burns Miller. Following three years of planning, in cooperation with California State University Long Beach, landscape architect Edward R. Lovell was chosen to oversee its creation. The resulting garden reflects the university’s continued interest in international education, student and community engagement, as well as the Miller’s interests in nature and wellness.  The university is delighted to share this educational, cultural, and aesthetic resource with you. – CSULB

Welcoming Family Retreat Show Garden, The 36th Annual Southern California Spring Garden Show, Costa Mesa, California

A large dark wood wall serves as a shelving unit for numerous small potted plants and three hanging woven lanterns. Attached to this structure is a wooden bench adorned with several decorative pillows in shades of white, blue, and green. The foreground contains a stone bench surrounded by manicured green bushes, copper-colored copper-colored pathway lights, and large ceramic jugs on a brick and gravel path.

WELCOMING FAMILY RETREAT

Designed with families in mind, this inviting outdoor space blends creativity, comfort and natural beauty.

A sculptural mix of wood and stone seating creates a relaxed spot for parents while children explore a charming sandbox and a large outdoor chalkboard made for imaginative play. A shaded pergola shelters a cozy built-in banquette, perfect for storytelling or watching the kids play. Beautiful potted trees soften the space and add a sense of garden elegance, creating a welcome retreat for both children and adults to enjoy the outdoors together.

Designed by Skylines Landscapes

The 36th Annual Southern California Spring Garden Show

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Nurtured by Spring Floral Display 2, The 36th Annual Southern California Spring Garden Show, Costa Mesa, California [Photography]

A large, vertical floral and wildlife sculpture stands in the center of a multi-level, brightly lit shopping atrium. The centerpiece features a tree- tree-like structure with branches covered in clusters of pinkish-purple flowers and white spherical blossoms, accented by figurines of birds in flight and a deer. Below the branches, animal figures like squirrels are nestled among mossy surfaces alongside patches of yellow wildflowers and green ferns. The base of the installation is a large, textured brown mound surrounded by dense greenery and more yellow flowers. In the background, multiple curved balconies of the mall are visible under a blue dome ceiling, with people walking along the lower levels behind a gold-colored railing.

“Welcome to the California ‘Room’ Garden where there is no clear boundary between garden and room, no enclosed wall, no barrier – just a seamless transition that makes you feel relaxed and at ease while your field of vision fills with an intimate, meditative landscape. The composition is restrained, but never empty — every element feels intentional. This is a garden you don’t just visit – you live with. Designed by Saddleback College.”

The 36th Annual Southern California Spring Garden Show

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