The Remarkable Bougainvillea at Robinson Gardens

The gorgeous bougainvillea at the Virginia Robinson Gardens is always a spectacular sight, eliciting much admiration from visitors to the Gardens. Exploding with red and pink color, the dripping vines flow like botanical waterfalls.

According to Superintendent Timothy Lindsay, “The soft orchid pink, ‘ever-blooming’ bougainvillea growing on the chain link fence on the north end of the tennis court was a rooted cutting that Mrs. Robinson brought back from the Cape (in South Africa) where she was playing tennis with a friend. The pink bougainvillea bract (not a flower) was her favorite color, and she instantly fell in love with … Read More

Timothy Lindsay’s 20th Anniversary Celebration at Virginia Robinson Gardens

The Friends were very proud to honor Superintendent Timothy Lindsay for his extraordinary service of 20 years and invaluable contributions to Virginia Robinson Gardens at a luncheon at the Gardens. Beautifully co-chaired by past Presidents of the Friends Debra Shaw and Kathleen Toppino, the moving ceremony was well attended by Friends founder Joan Selwyn, 13 past Presidents and 78 guests in all.

Maralee Beck gave many warm accolades, explaining why “Tim is so very special to all of us…We won the lottery when Tim was assigned to the Virginia Robinson Gardens, after having worked for 7 ½ years as Assistant … Read More

Spotlight on Timothy Lindsay

Celebrating 20 years at Virginia Robinson Gardens:  Superintendent Timothy Lindsay

The Friends is very proud to honor Superintendent Timothy Lindsay for his extraordinary service to Virginia Robinson Gardens. By the end of February 2018, it will be Tim’s 20 year anniversary. We are happy to share the following interview with you:

How did you become interested in landscape architecture?

From the time I was a child, I learned to appreciate architecture while working with my grandfather in his wood shop. He built his own home, and we often had projects at relatives’ homes to make repairs. We also finished building … Read More

Restoration Projects at VRG

Current Restoration Projects at Virginia Robinson Gardens

The Master Bedroom

The Master bedroom of Virginia Robinson has been repainted to its original color, a dusty rose. The newly painted soft green trim around the door jams now beautifully accents the trompe l’oeil painting above each doorway in the bedroom.

Before After

Upon restoration of Virginia’s vanity room, original faux marble trim that matches the dark green marble counter tops was discovered. The faux marble accent also matches the decorative painting above the vanity doorway. The plan now is to restore the faux marble back to its original state.

The Cranes… Read More

Meadowscape lawn conversion at the Virginia Robinson Gardens

“Meadowscape” lawn conversion at the Virginia Robinson Gardens

If you are thinking about giving up a lawn in your garden to reduce your water usage by 33%, the alternative looks pretty good here in our front yard at Virginia Robinson Gardens.

Our front lawn before:

And now with our “Meadowscape:”

Like a supporting actor in the movie Chinatown, the front lawn at Virginia Robinson Gardens was subdued in mood, providing an edgy, sterile, green plain for the rest of the cast, the flowering plants, to play off of. This surrealist green, high maintenance lawn existed in an otherwise “unsupportive,” semi-arid … Read More

Tim-Lindsay-Robinson-Gardens

2016 Rose Parade Float Judge Tim Lindsay

Tim Lindsay as 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade Float Judge

We at Robinson Gardens are proud to announce that our very own Superintendent Tim Lindsay has been chosen to be one of three float judges for the 127th Tournament of Roses Parade held in Pasadena, California on New Years Day, January 1, 2016, beginning at 8:00 a.m. This year’s Rose Parade theme is titled, “Find Your Adventure.” Tim, along with the two other judges Tom Bowling, and Jodie Petersen, will grant awards based on criteria such as creative design, floral craftsmanship, artistic merit, computerized animation, thematic interpretation, floral and color … Read More

Water Conservation: How you can do your part

Water conservation: How you can do your part at home and in the garden

The current 35% water conservation state mandate for Beverly Hills has us all thinking about how to make the best use of every drop! There are many options to manage water used to maintain our landscapes. Most importantly we must preserve our mature trees and shrubs. Lawns can easily be reduced in size or replanted with climate appropriate ground cover. We complied a list of ideas that we feel should assist you in your conservation efforts and help you maintain the feel and beauty of your … Read More

English Country Houses: Part II

English Country Houses: Part II

“Tim is truly a treasure for Robinson Gardens; we are so lucky to have him,” exclaimed Marian Power, our Chair of Education Programs, as she introduced Timothy Lindsay, the Superintendent of Robinson Gardens. He proceeded to give us the second part of his lecture on great English Country Houses. Tim attended the prestigious Attingham Summer School Program in Southern England for 17 days where museum professionals visited numerous estates and their magnificent gardens.

Chatsworth, one of the grandest English houses, owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, is also one of the most visited. … Read More

Restoration Efforts Continue at the Virginia Robinson Gardens, the “First Estate of Beverly Hills”

The County of Los Angeles has embarked on a multi-million-dollar rehabilitation and restoration of the “First Estate of Beverly Hills.” Before we get to the project list, a little architectural history will provide some background information. The Robinsons’ Beaux-Arts-style Main House, designed and built by Virginia’s father in 1911, has a 6-inch concrete ceiling deck.  Built like a parking structure, it is strong enough to hold multiple cars. The concrete sub-floor of the Main House is equally over-built and is insulated, like the walls of the house, by the ancient Italian method of stacked terra cotta waffle blocks.  The Main … Read More

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