Friday, August 3, 2012

The Huntington's Surprises

With colors like these, it's tempting to use the "saturate" function in my editing program. But I left them alone. They're fine on their own.

These planting pots are shelved in the Associated Foundations Teaching Greenhouse at the Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino, which graces Pasadena's southern border. The Greenhouse is one of the Huntington's many surprises. For the longest time I didn't even know it was there, but it's right next to the Children's Garden. I couldn't find a specific page about the Teaching Greenhouse on the Huntington's website, but you can glean information about it here.

There's an interesting/weird thing in the upper left corner of this photo. I'll show you a picture of it tomorrow and we'll try to figure out what it is.

15 comments:

Bellis said...

Such pretty pastel colors, and your link makes me think it's part of a project to teach teachers how to create a school vegetable garden. The Huntington provides a lot of support for teachers. They used to - and may still do - give science teachers instruction in how to plan and teach the biology required by the No Child Left Behind curriculum, by devising practical lessons involving plants. You can teach genetics, reproduction, and much else while giving children hands-on experience, and lessons that will pique their interest. The funding may have run out now, but if I had money to donate, I couldn't think of a more worthwhile cause . Educating children in science is so important for our future.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

YOU do love to tease!. I love the pots as well- nice bright colors.

Petrea Burchard said...

Bellis, you must be right. So much teaching, learning and studying goes on at the Huntington. Aren't we lucky to have it? It's one of my favorite places.

Wait 'til you see this thing, KBF. I'm sure someone will know exactly what it is, but I'm baffled.

Ann Erdman said...

I love the candy-shop colors. I wasn't aware until now about the greenhouse. I'll have to find it next time I walk the grounds. I'm eager for your post tomorrow to see that "interesting/weird thing"!

dive said...

How jolly and cheerful, Petrea. My dull old terracotta herb pots outside the kitchen door look very glum in comparison … but then it's been raining on them all year, poor things; I've not had the watering can out once.

Petrea Burchard said...

It was a surprise to me, too, Ann, and I've been to the Huntington countless times.

Dive, I happen to like dull old terra cotta pots, and they're especially nice with a bit of green mold on them. I rarely see that around here, I hope you have some.

dive said...

Most of the country is covered in green mould this year, Petrea. And yes, my terracotta pots are smothered in it.

Petrea Burchard said...

Well, that's unfortunate. Too bad you can't eat it.

Susan Campisi said...

I love these colorful pots. The plants around my house are close to dying of thirst. Can we have some of your rain, Dive?

Ms M said...

Nice photo! Love the great colors and the shapes; how you framed it. I see something that looks like a blue crystal ball in the L corner, but perhaps you're referring to something on the top shelf?

Petrea Burchard said...

Susan, I had a bunch of dying plants and my neighbor came by and showed me a trick. Now I water them and you wouldn't believe the transformation!

Up top, Ms. M. But thank you, because I hadn't noticed the blue ball!

Adele said...

Well, count me in for the group of those who have been to the Huntington countless times and have missed this. Will definitely look next time. I read the course descriptions on your link, and they give a stipend to teachers who've attended three classes, and registration preference goes to two or more teachers from the same school. Definitely looks like what Bellis thinks, promoting school vegetable gardens. I'm glad you didn't "saturate" here (my new obsession, BTW). They are perfect as-is.

Petrea Burchard said...

I like saturation, Adele, especially when the photo doesn't turn out like what I thought I shot. In this case, I don't care, these look fine as they are.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

We love the Huntington, but have never seen this quiet corner that you found and captured. Maybe the Huntington's masterpieces should now be known as Blue Boy, Pinkie, the first edition of Canturbury's Tales, and Petrea's Pots.

Petrea Burchard said...

Ah! Oh, Dave, how nice to see you here. It would be a crowning achievement to get a photo into the Huntington. Maybe not this one, though!