October 2025 Happenings
Nadine Nettmann’s “The Bootlegger’s Daughter” a Hit at the VRG Book Club
The Tea, Scones & Gardens Book Club meeting on Saturday, September 20, 2025 was once again a sold-out and fabulous event. It was ably hosted by co-chairs Elaine Stein and Patricia Cowett on a Zoom link and with the assistance of Ron Stein as photographer on September 20, 2025 at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. The author of the novel The Bootlegger’s Daughter we selected to discuss is Nadine Nettmann. She and her mother Gillian have been regular attendees of our club for almost three years. They both graced our meeting today with their presence.… Read More
A Fun Movie Night: “Sunset Boulevard” at VRG
On August 23rd, 2025, the Friends hosted a magical movie night on the Great Lawn at The Virginia Robinson Gardens, underwritten by the T. Robert Greene Foundation. Members enjoyed delicious movie snacks (including a popcorn machine, candy, and fruit!) while watching Billy Wilder’s 1950 classic Sunset Boulevard.
… Read More
The Restoration of the Harry W. Robinson Fern Collection
The King Palm Forest occupies about two acres on the east slope of the Robinson estate in Beverly Hills, California. Initially, the Robinsons planted this portion of the garden in a Mediterranean plant palette. However, over several years, the plantings languished due to the heavy clay soil that retained too much moisture resulting in root rot. Over several decades, this portion of the estate was transformed into a subtropical oasis named the King Palm Forest. Presently, 600+ palm trees provide the overstory for the underplanting of tropical and subtropical plants living on the forest floor. The understory on the forest floor is comprised predominantly of shade-loving clivia, which when it blooms, adds thousands of tangerine-orange flowers that illuminate the dimly lit forest floor. … Read More
A Big Thank You to Our Generous Donors at the Fellows Thank You Dinner
At the Fellows Thank You Dinner on August 9, 2025, Ann Petersen acknowledged our most generous donors who have moved up to new levels on our Donor Tree. Ann Petersen explained that as an active member of the philanthropic world her entire adult life, she is extremely interested and believes that it is essential that we honor the donors who contribute to charity. Ann felt that these “angels” need to be recognized in a permanent way. In 2013, Superintendent Emeritus Timothy Lindsay suggested that Virginia Robinson’s wrought iron ornament on the Back Terrace be used to create a Donor Tree in its image. Ann generously underwrote the commission for an artist to create the tree.… Read More
Spotlight on Arthur Abramyan
Each month, we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, docent, donor, or sponsor of The Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) — those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you know about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to The Virginia Robinson Gardens and to the community, and what they do that is so impactful.
This month, we spotlight Arthur Abramyan. Arthur joined The Virginia Robinsons Gardens in May 2024 as Staff Assistant to the Superintendent Diane Sipos. Prior to coming here, Arthur worked at Harbor UCLA Medical Center.… Read More
Message from the Presidents
Dear Friends,
As Mother Nature starts to slow, preparing for dormancy, with deciduous trees turning colors and starting to drop leaves, we here at the Gardens are bustling with activity.… Read More