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It’s been said that the Earth laughs in flowers and this rings especially true for plant people — our friends who really do take time to stop and smell the roses, and the jasmine, orange blossoms, and sage.
Below, we have curated a short list of gift ideas aimed at inspiring joy for the nature lovers in your life. As the legendary Audrey Hepburn once said, “To plant a garden is to dream of tomorrow.” We quite agree. Dream on.
VIP access to Descanso Gardens
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Courtesy Descanso Gardens
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Membership has its privileges. Gift a garden lover with a year of unlimited access to the serenity and inspiration that abounds at the world class botanical gardens and arboretums that are right in our backyard. Membership to Descanso Gardens, (La Cañada Flintridge, pictured), Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden (Arcadia), or The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens (San Marino) offers a variety of donor levels with perks to match. Think: discounts for events and food, special member only activities, guest passes and more.
Seed catalogues
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Courtesy Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
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Plant lovers dream via seed catalogs. Let someone know you "get" them with a collection of seed catalogs tied up with ribbon. Many catalogs are free for the asking, some require a small fee — and sell out fast like the annual Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Catalog, $12.95. Additional seed catalogs include: Annie’s Heirloom Seed Catalog (free); Prairie Moon (free); Johnny’s Selected Seeds (free); R.H.Shumway’s (free). Sweeten the gift with “seed money” tucked into a card or a gift certificate.
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Deck of plant cards
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Courtesy Terrain
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Like recipe cards, but for plants. The Happy Houseplant Deck, $19.99 at luxe gardening destination Terrain at Westfield Century City, outlines the care and feeding of specific houseplants as well as tips for primo placement and troubleshooting challenges.
DIY terrarium
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Courtesy Terrain
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Bigger isn’t always better. The Bottle Garden Terrarium Kit, starting at $58, allows gardeners to create a self-contained world of greenery within a hand-blown glass bottle. The kit includes a telescopic tool set and cork stopper. Starter plants sold separately.
Romance with plants
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Courtesy Terrain
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Bring on the drama. Allow leafy lovelies and seasonal showstoppers to take center stage for special dinners and parties with the Candelabra Plant Stand, $118, also from Terrain at Westfield Century City.
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Thirst trap
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Courtesy Potted
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The plant doctor will see you now. Hook up your plants to a life-giving IV with a cheeky Plant Life Support Self Watering Bag, $20 at L.A.-based Potted. Perfect for frequent travelers and our favorite forgetful friends.
Plant propagation tubes
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Potted
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When it comes to plants, more is more. Propagating plants — using clippings of favored greenery to grow and establish new specimens — is a rewarding and cost saving experience. Although using repurposed jars can also work, the Plant Propagation Tubes, $80, also at Potted level up the process with style.
A classic beauty
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Courtesy Potted
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In the tradition of classic sculpture and garden statuary, the cement Lady Head Planter, $34, goes head and shoulders above the average container.
For the wildflower lover
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Courtesy Theodore Payne Foundation
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Nestled in the rolling hills of Sun Valley, the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants is a non-profit organization passionately devoted to the understanding, preservation and use of native Californian plants. Gift a like-minded loved one with an online gift card (no wrapping or shipping cost required!) to be used toward a TPF membership, workshop, gift store purchase, new plant, garden tour, special event and more.
Ginkgo leaf plates
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Courtesy The Huntington Store
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The Ginkgo tree and its leaves are a symbol of resilience, healing and longevity. White stoneware Ginkgo appetizer plates in the shape of these leaves, $15 at The Huntington Store, are a thoughtful way to infuse any gathering with a serving of hope and peace.
The happiest roses on Earth
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Courtesy Roger's Gardens
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Named 2021 Rose of the Year at Roger’s Gardens in Orange County, Disneyland Roses were chosen to bear the name of the world famous theme park by Mickey’s famously particular horticultural team in 2001.
After researching thousands of floribunda specimens, horticulturist Karen Hedges chose the plant for its large blooms (of which no two are alike!), light fragrance and ombre sunset coloration. Mickey’s favorite rose is also a vigorous, healthy bloomer and naturally resistant to mildew and rust. An integral part of the park’s magical gardens, the five-gallon Disneyland Roses, $79.99, are also the best selling plant at Roger’s Gardens in Corona del Mar.
On the house
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Courtesy Roger’s Gardens
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Adorn an interior space or outdoor patio with color, texture and contemporary design. Artistically arranged drought-tolerant succulents spill from a sleekly designed galvanized Metal Wall Planter, $79.99, also at Roger’s Gardens.
Editor's note: Descanso Gardens is a sponsor of LAist's gift guide but had no influence on editorial choices for the guides.
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Credits
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Editing and writing
- Rene Lynch, Gift Guide Editor
- Suzanne Levy, Gift Guide Editor
- Ross Brenneman, Education Editor
- Bonnie McCarthy, Freelance Writer
- Gab Chabrán, Associate Editor, Food and Culture
- Mariana Dale, K-12 Reporter
- Larry Mantle, AirTalk Host
- Laura Hertzfeld, Best Things To Do Reporter
- Julia Paskin, Host, All Things Considered, The L.A. Report P.M. Edition
Art
- Erin Hauer, Visual Designer
- Olivia Hughes, Illustrator
Other support
- Nubia Perez, Community Engagement Administration
- Sabir Brara, Digital Product Project Manager
- Chanelle Berlin Johnson, Director Audience Engagement
- Megan Garvey, Senior Vice President, News
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