VRG, Author at Robinson Gardens

The Glorious Floral, Designer, and Culinary Stars Will Enchant You at the “Floral Fantasia” 2025 Garden Tour!

The Friends of Robinson Gardens are so grateful to the extremely talented floral and landscape designers who will enchant your senses by transforming the rooms and outdoor spaces at Virginia Robinson’s home into settings of dazzling beauty for the 36th Annual Garden Tour and Showcase Estate on May 17, 2025. Don’t miss this gorgeous event where the florists will interpret the theme: “Floral Fantasia.”

Each Garden Tour Star is listed alphabetically along with the room/area they are decorating or located so that you will know where to find them when you visit the Showcase Estate at Robinson Gardens.

Alena Kvassov of … Read More

Peter Greenberg’s Hidden Gems of Beverly Hills

Join us as we delve into Peter Greenberg’s fabulous discovery of Beverly Hills, a journey that features our dear friend, the late Phil Savenick, and our very own board member, Maralee Beck. Brimming with fascinating archival facts, this Travel Detective episode showcases The Virginia Robinson Gardens (7:45 mark of the video) and other iconic locations in Beverly Hills.

Click below to find the Travel Detective Episode.

Read More … Read More

The Dodgers and the Tea, Scones & Gardens Book Club

March 15, 2025, was the date of another book club meeting at The Virginia Robinson Gardens’ Pool Pavilion. Stealing Home: Los Angeles, the Dodgers, and the Lives Caught in Between by Eric Nusbaum was quite a good conversation starter as we discussed the unique individuals surrounding the development of Chavez Ravine. We followed Mexican migration into Texas, through Arizona copper mines to the rocky hillsides where tents were pitched to start a vigorous, tight-knit community of determined folks. With savings from manual labor, they built modest homes for extended family and friends.

Civic-minded individuals like Frank Wilkinson envisioned the development … Read More

Our Garden Champion Douglas Kazanjian

The Friends are very honored to present Beverly Hills jeweler, Douglas Kazanjian, as our Garden Champion. Douglas Kazanjian, 47, was born in Los Angeles, California. He attended Harvard-Westlake High School and received his B.A. in Political Science from UCLA. After college, he traveled the world studying gemstones, and worked in Australia, Thailand, and New York before returning to Beverly Hills.

Socially, Douglas is a scratch golfer and was a member of the UCLA golf team. In 2023, he helped Tiger Woods prepare for the US Open at the Los Angeles Country Club – his greatest honor in golf. He is also an … Read More

Grand Marshal Jade Mills

The Friends are very proud to honor Jade Mills as our Grand Marshal at the 2025 Floral Fantasia Garden Tour. In the luxury real estate market, Beverly Hills realtor Jade Mills is renowned among colleagues and clients alike for her integrity, loyalty, and professionalism. In 2019, she became the #1 Agent Worldwide for Coldwell Banker and the #5 Agent Worldwide for all Brokerages. With over $9 billion in sales, Jade has developed a global reputation as the top Los Angeles and Beverly Hills real estate agent.

Some of her most notable sales include the Chartwell Estate, also known as the … Read More

Don’t Miss the Garden Party of the Year: “Floral Fantasia” 2025 Garden Tour and Showcase House!

“Where flowers bloom, so does hope.” – Lady Bird Johnson

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the Friends of Robinson Gardens is pleased to present its 36th annual Garden Tour & Showcase Estate fundraiser, co-chaired by Co-President Lynn Whitaker and Executive Vice President Elaine Stein. This year’s theme Floral Fantasia celebrates the healing power of nature.

As expressed in Lady Bird’s quote, in difficult times, flowers can symbolize hope, resilience, optimism, and the ability to overcome adversity. Co-President Betty Goldstein adds, “Let The Virginia Robinson Gardens be your place of comfort, your haven, the place to go when you need that … Read More

The Historic Kitchen Garden at VRG

Estate Caretaker Josh Johnston works alongside UC-certified Master Gardener Lucia Burke to plant many herbs and seasonally appropriate vegetables. Josh and Lucia grow many varieties of flowers that attract pollinators as well as fruits like blueberries, strawberries, grapes, raspberries, and Kumquats. A chicken coop with hens provides fresh eggs daily. In this charming space is a picturesque, historic Orchid Greenhouse that was originally a gift to Mrs. Robinson from her close friend, composer Les Baxter. Thanks to author Robert S. Anderson, the Beverly Hills Rotary Club generously gave funds to restore the greenhouse in 2016.

Fascinating Lecture by Author Billy Grubman at VRG

On February 4th, 2025, over 30 guests gathered at The Virginia Robinson Gardens for an event featuring author William Grubman. The day began with a reception on the patio outside the Pool Pavilion. Attendees sipped beverages and enjoyed light pastries while overlooking the sparkling swimming pool. Once all the guests had assembled, Grubman—known for his bestselling novel, The Storm Over Paris—took the floor in the Billiard Room. He immediately engaged the audience with his quick wit and charming demeanor as he shared stories from his life. He spoke about his upbringing in Los Angeles, his varied interests, including flying planes, and the fascinating journey that led him to write his novel. The Storm Over Paris is a thriller set in 1942 Paris, telling the fictional story of an acclaimed Jewish art dealer forced to authenticate masterworks for the Nazis while maintaining his ethics and keeping his family alive.

Cocktail Reception at Doyle Celebrating Iris Apfel

The Friends of Robinson Gardens were invited to a delightful preview of “More is More and Less is a Bore: The Iris Apfel Collection” at Doyle Auctioneers and Appraisers in Beverly Hills on February 18, 2025. The event showcased the colorful and bold aesthetic of Apfel, featuring her maximalist vision with her signature oversized glasses, costume jewelry, and flamboyant fashions. The colorful and stylishly attired guests enjoyed specialty cocktails (the Apfel-Tini and the Iris) while perusing the objects on display, including vintage fashions by Gianfranco Ferre and Azzedine Alaia. Guests were encouraged to try on some of the items and pose behind a large replica of Apfel’s glasses for a fun photo op.

Discover the Magic of The Virginia Robinson Gardens: Join the Friends Today

Nestled in the heart of Beverly Hills, The Virginia Robinson Gardens is a hidden gem brimming with history, beauty, and philanthropy. For those who wish to preserve and celebrate this remarkable estate, there is no better way to get involved than by joining the Friends of Robinson Gardens (FRG) — our premier philanthropic community. Why Join the Friends? When you become a Friend of Robinson Gardens, you enter a welcoming circle of individuals who share a passion for history, horticulture, and community. As a member, you’ll gain exclusive access to a variety of exciting events and experiences within the Gardens and throughout Southern California.

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