Some Plant Introductions from the Huntington Botanical Gardens

Dombeya cacuminum. Photographs by John Trager, except as noted
Railroad tycoon Henry Edwards Huntington made his first trip to Southern California in 1892, and found the area ripe with possibility. Perceiving the opportunities, in 1903 he purchased the 600-acre San Marino Ranch, which became his estate and working ranch, and would later become the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. It was the golden age of horticulture, with waves of newcomers, drawn by the mild climate, transforming the landscape with plants from all over the world.
Though the indigenous Engelmann and coast live oaks on his property were among his favorite plants, Huntington was keen to introduce and cultivate such exotic ornamental and edible plants as would likely thrive in the benign climate. Tropical fruits were a particular interest, and Huntington started California’s first commercial avocado orchard. He was also said to be among the first (if not the first) to grow cymbidium orchids outdoors in California.

Continuing this legacy, the Huntington Botanical Gardens has a long history of introducing new plants ...