Los Angeles was in rare form today. The air was heavy with January rain, but the clouds refused to unlock. It was blustery and crisp, chilling noses and fingertips.
The weather was perfect for a daytime walk, so I bundled up in a cozy sweater and headed for Claremont.
There, in the shadow of the San Gabriel Mountains, is the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden.
The garden is dedicated exclusively to native California plants, and has several short trails (about a mile each) that wrap around the grounds.
There are striking Joshua Trees and graceful Manzanitas in addition to more subtly beautiful flora from California's chaparral communities. Having evolved to tolerate long periods of drought, many plants have thick, woody stems and tough little leaves. Flowers are small, but worth a second look. These are not the verdant green lianas of wetter, warmer climes. They are equally lovely, but more reserved in their splendor.
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