The Watercolor Botanical Illustration Program at the Virginia Robinson Gardens

It was fate that Tim Lindsay, while visiting England, met and befriended the brother of renowned British botanical artist Anne-Marie Evans. Later as Superintendent of the Virginia Robinson Gardens, he invited Anne-Marie to come to the Gardens to teach botanical watercolor classes, and the rest is history….Tim had the support of Barbara Jaynes and Tania Norris to gather interested pupils, promote the classes, and to host Anne-Marie. That was twenty-two years ago. Due to the pandemic, we could not invite Anne-Marie back for two years, and thus it was extra special for us all to welcome her back this spring to teach at Robinson Gardens

Gingerbread At-Home Decorating House Event Brings Cheer to Participants

We all know December is one of the most festive months. Brilliant baubles bedeck storefronts, the radio (or streaming services) serve up jolly tunes, the colder air (at least by LA standards) is made warmer by the twinkling sound of jingle bells, and people are merrier and brighter! As this palpable cheer fills the world, one of my favorite ways to partake is to decorate a gingerbread house! That is why I am so happy that, for the second year in a row, so many people purchased gingerbread houses and candy kits in support of the Friends of Robinson Gardens. This year, participants were once again treated to a spectacular, pre-assembled gingerbread house made by local bakery Tutto Bene, delivered with royal icing, figurines of trees, sleighs, Santa, snowmen, and more for their gingerbread house gardens, and deluxe candy kits. I’d like to think that these kits are a gift for everyone – they help raise necessary funds for the Virginia Robinson Gardens while bringing sweetness into the homes of those who take part

Wreath Making Workshop at VRG Enraptures Participants

“The wreath is to a door as eyebrows are to one’s face” ~ Jelena Trifunovic of Viola Floral On December 7, 2021, twelve Friends gathered in the ever-beautiful Virginia Robinson Gardens Pool Pavilion to craft holiday wreaths under the spell and guidance of the effervescent Friend Jelena Trifunovic of Viola Floral, assisted by fellow Friend Katie Marsano, who is also a Japanese Sogetsu Ikebana instructor. Jelena inspired us to be “in the flow” of creating our wreaths as we might a holiday salad, choosing our greens from her buffet table of evergreen, magnolia, and eucalyptus sprays. She demonstrated how to wire them in bunches, swirling clockwise around the heavy wire wreath form as we worked, encouraging us to embrace the process, and be in the zone as we worked. I felt bliss seeping in, as time stood still.

Holiday Wreath Making Workshop

On December 3, 2020, the Friends of Robinson Gardens hosted a holiday wreath making class for our members. There were participants from the sold out in-person event at the Virginia Robinson Gardens, as well as members participating online. The workshop was taught by the talented, world renowned florist Ines Garstecki of Flowermaid, who is a past Garden Tour floral designer. (Visit Ines’ website at www.flowermaid.com) Each guest was provided a floral kit of evergreens, holiday ribbon, dried fruits, cinnamon sticks, and exotic grasses to make a unique and long lasting wreath to survive the holiday season. After a long Covid shut in, it was a happy time to spend time with friends and see some familiar faces. VRG is hoping to bring our members more Covid safe in-person and online classes in 2021. Check out the creations by our members from both in-person and online

Rediscover the Robust Fragrance and Allure of Roses from a By-Gone Era

Friends of Robinson Gardens
Tim Lindsay – “Rediscover the Robust Fragrance and
Allure of Roses from a By-Gone Era”
Saturday, January 18, 2020

 

Garden Class with Tim Lindsay
Saturday, January 18, 2020
11:00 pm to 2:30 pm

“Rediscover the Robust Fragrance and Allure of Roses from a By-Gone Era”

Roses play a significant role in World History, rose cultivation began over 5,000 years ago, most likely in China. For over 1,000 years, roses arrived in western Europe via The Silk Road. In Rome, they were used as confetti at celebration, for medicinal purposes, and as a source of perfume. … Read More

Re-Wilding Your Garden

A Garden Journey to Sustainability and Habitat Enhancement for the Creatures that Call Your Garden Home

On Monday, November 18, 2019, Superintendent Timothy Lindsay gave an informative and thought provoking talk on re-wilding your garden.

Tim presented ideas to help make smart plant choices when planning a garden. He suggested plants be selected not just based on their aesthetic contribution to the garden, but also on how the plants in the garden contribute to sustaining our souls, the creatures that live in our gardens and our planet.  He emphasized the importance of choosing climate appropriate plants. These obviously include native … Read More

Botanical Art Teacher Anne-Marie Evans

During two weeks in October, many members and guests were privileged to have renowned Botanical Arts Teacher Anne-Marie Evans, coming from London, to teach a class at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. We painted a Stephanotis. This plant is part of the botanical collection at the Gardens. We hope in the future to be able to add this illustration to our Florilegium which we are working on to assemble at Robinson Gardens.

Post by Kerstin Royce
Friends of Robinson Gardens Board Member

 … Read More

Birdwatching at the Virginia Robinson Gardens

The 2017 Gala Committee Goes on a Birdwatching Adventure at the Virginia Robinson Gardens

It was a day of sweltering heat at the Virginia Robinson Gardens on Friday morning, September 1st. Darrow Feldstein, son of this year’s Spirit of Beverly Hills Award Patron Gala recipient Lisa Greer, took the committee and honorees on a birdwatching adventure through the various themed gardens.

The morning began with greeting all participants in the Loggia with a bountiful array of tantalizing refreshments. Jeanne Anderson beautifully decorated the area with a lovely floral arrangement, complete with a bird, bird house, and bird’s nest. Pillows and … Read More

Tim Lindsay Gardening Class Color in Your Garden

Tim Lindsay’s Gardening Class: Color in Your Garden

On Wednesday, February 22nd, Superintendent Tim Lindsay conducted a class on Color in Your Garden, where he discussed the physiological and emotional impact of color in the garden.

Tim began his class by recommending Victoria Finley’s book called Color. He finds value in this book because it gives a historic context of color, such as where colors developed. For example, plants, flowers or insects can be used to create colors for paint. The book then goes through the history of artists and their use of color through the ages.

Tim then … Read More

Tim Lindsay Gardening Series

The Tim Lindsay Gardening Series
Class Schedule

Mark your calendars! VRG Gardening classes conducted by Superintendent Timothy Lindsay are designed to provide practical hands-on methods to make your garden more productive and beautiful! Each class (held the last Wednesday of each month), addresses the art and science of horticulture, thus providing  great take-home value to participants.

Class subject matter this season is summarized as follows:

October 26
How to grow organic and nutrient rich edibles in your Vegetable Garden:
This class offers ideas on how to design your vegetable garden, how to grow vegetables from seeds and from color packs. … Read More

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