With the welcoming sociability of a community garden and the easy accessibility of a neighborhood park, Arlington Gardens in Pasadena is a gathering spot for gardeners, young families, dog-walkers and more. The former vacant lot was designed by Mayita Dinos and juxtaposes Mediterranean-inspired, formal herb gardens with more relaxed plantings of California natives and other low-water plants. I spent a Sunday afternoon winding through the three-acre garden, joined by plein-air painters, skipping children, and, of course, birds and butterflies.
This free-to-the-public garden is a model for community-supported public spaces. You can help sustain it by purchasing marmalade made from the garden’s orange trees. Get some, and learn more about the garden here.
