A view of the garden at the Norton Simon Museum
A view of the garden at the Norton Simon Museum
The grounds of the Museum have a long history of beautiful gardens. The original garden was planted in the 1870s when Dr. Ezra and Jeanne Carr created Carmelita. It was the most extensive garden in Pasadena, filled with plants from all over the world, many being planted by the donors themselves, including botanist John Muir, who was a friend and former student of Dr. Carr.
Like Monet’s Giverny, the garden at the Norton Simon Museum is a living work of art providing tranquil and inspirational surroundings for the Museum and its visitors. Many come to sketch the attractive landscaping and featured sculptures or simply relax and enjoy the atmosphere.
Conceived in 1999 by noted Southern California landscape designer, Nancy Goslee Power, the 79,000-square-foot garden includes more than 180 species of trees, shrubs, vines, ground cover and perennials. Complete with a meandering pond and a small waterfall, the garden is home to magnificent sculptures ingeniously integrated into the landscape.
The Museum’s garden is designed to bring delight to every season. Its large pond features various species of water lilies and bog plants. Two magnificent trees, a Moreton Bay Fig and a Cockspur Coral Tree, stand as centerpieces in the garden. Nestled in a hedge of fragrant Lavender, the Deodar Cedar and Kashmir Cypress trees complement an impressive grove of Lemon-scented Gum Eucalyptus.