Experience the gardens in a whole new way through Cultivate, a monthly series that features tours and workshops, live demonstrations, and music throughout the grounds.

April’s theme is Watersheds. Wander the gardens at your own pace and discover something new around every corner.

Free with admission, no event registration required.

Schedule:

Turtle Talk

• Join Natural History Museum Senior Manager of Living Collections, Leslie Gordon and learn about the turtles that call Southern California home. 
  • Mulberry Pond
  • 4:30–7pm

Pasadena Audubon Society

• Meet representatives from the Pasadena Audubon Society, and learn about the importance of healthy riparian habitats for local bird species.
  • Main Lawn
  • 4:30–7pm

Watershed Walk and Talk

• Talk with our horticulture staff about the watersheds of Descanso, including the bioswale (a vegetated ditch designed to capture and filter stormwater) and our Oak Woodland.
  • Meets at the Horticulture display table on the Promenade
  • 4:30–5:30pm and 5:45-6:45pm

Ask an Expert: California Natives

• Stop by Center Circle to meet a member of the Horticulture department and ask your California natives-related gardening questions. 
  • Center Circle 
  • 5–7pm

Hands-on Craft 

• Create a water color-based craft on the Main Lawn
  • Main Lawn 
  • 4:30–7pm

Earth Month City Nature Challenge 

• The City Nature Challenge is an international bioblitz intended to discover and document our diverse natural environment using the iNaturalist app. The data collected on iNaturalist is used for science, management, and conservation. Come explore and study Descanso Gardens’ unique botanical habitat. 
  • Location TBD 
  • 4:30–7pm

Flashdance DJs

• Have a drink in the Rose Garden bar and enjoy a mix of classic hits and contemporary songs by our popular guest DJs 
  • Rose Pavilion
  • 4:30–7pm