Nothing speaks more of springtime than fragrant, blooming
flowers, and in the South Bay we’re blessed with spectacular
local gardens, each nationally revered. At more than 100
years young, Japan-inspired Hakone Gardens, Saratoga,
brings forth 18 acres of tranquility in the guise of a moon
bridge, koi pond, tea house and waterfall. Spend moments
sitting by the pond and watching the red ear-flapped sider
turtles bask on the rocks. This local gem is a recipient of
the Save America’s Treasures Award and is honored as
one of the oldest Japanese-style residential gardens in the
Western Hemisphere. Thanks to Isabel Stine who fell in love
with Japanese gardens in 1915, Hakone Gardens has hosted
visitors from around the world; it is now in the hands of the
nonprofit Hakone Foundation which restores and shepherds
the gardens. Movie fans will love the fact that Hakone was a
filming locale for “Memoirs of a Geisha” in 2005. The gardens
offer docent tours and traditional tea ceremonies as well as
art and cultural classes. Entrance fee is $10. Saratoga residents
and their guests can come for free the first Tuesday of
every month. Park closes at 5 p.m. from March to October.
The vast San Jose Municipal Rose Garden represents the
largest one of its kind with a central fountain and flowering
arches throughout. Its more than 4,000 rose bushes showcasing
189 rose species spreads across 5.5 acres in the Rose
Garden district. Back in 1927, the Santa Clara County Rose
Society convinced the San Jose city council to set aside land
for a rose garden for the community. With the approved idea,
the group donated roses for the endeavor which took six
years to create. Today, it is an official display and test garden,
displaying new varieties before they are introduced to the
world at large. Blooms appear as early as April, so be ready.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Cactus Garden, represents a hidden
jewel at Stanford, and many employees and students
do not even know it is there. Located within in the campus
arboretum, the cactus garden spans one-third of an acre and
was created as early as 1881 as part of the home landscape
for university founder Leland Stanford. However, when Mr.
Stanford died in 1893, the garden was only kept alive by the
efforts of two dutiful Chinese servants of the Stanford family—
Chung Wah and Ah Wah. The men later retired and went
back to China in 1925, and the cactus garden had no official
caretakers. But by 1997, it was designated an historical site,
and groundskeeper Herb Fong was tasked with leading the
restoration. A handful of experts and volunteers lovingly took
up the challenge with Fong, and today the gem is completely
free of charge to the public and is located near the Stanford
family mausoleum. To park, leave your vehicle at the Cantor
Center or Roth Way Garage.
Around this time of year, Filoli, Woodside, treats the senses
with tulips and daffodils among other dainties at this 16-acre
mansion and garden with hiking trails. It was built as a family
residence for San Francisco millionaire William Bowers
Bourn II in 1915, and later purchased by the Roth family in
1937. By 1975 when the upkeep of the estate was too much
for the family, Filoli was donated to the National Trust for
Historic Preservation. The property offers events, classes
and self-guided as well as docent tours. Filoli now lets you
book portrait sessions: pay an additional $75, bring in a photographer
and related photo gear, and receive 90 minutes
of photography time without disturbance.
FLOWER POWER
HAKONE ESTATE
AND GARDENS
ARIZONA
CACTUS GARDEN
SAN JOSE MUNICIPAL
ROSE GARDEN
FROM TOP: COURTESY OF HAKONE ESTATE AND GARDENS, TERRY REILLY, LINDA A CICERO/STANFORD NEWS SERVICE
58 South Bay Accent