UCLA BOTANICAL GARDEN: From Cacti to a Subtropical Woodland in the Heart of Los Angeles

At the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

Tucked in a corner of the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, California, is the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden, a surprising escape from the surrounding urban and academic activity. This urban oasis is a wealth of trees, flowers, bushes, ferns and other plants from all over the world, in places that share a similar climate to that of Southern California. Shaded paths wind through the garden, moving from the desert garden at street level up a hill past palms and ferns to a subtropical woodland.

Palm tree.

On a recent Sunday, Art and I went for a walk through the garden, occasionally passing other people at a proper social distance, although in general it was possible to enjoy the garden without much contact with others. Like us, other garden visitors were getting out of their houses and enjoying some fresh air during the Covid-19 quarantine.

Lush bloom in the subtropical woodland.

Although UCLA is not far from where I live and I have driven past the entrance to the Botanical Garden hundreds of times, it has been more than thirty years since I actually walked in the garden. I had forgotten how pleasant it is and how impressive is its collection of plants, all clearly labeled. 

The Mindanao Gum tree has a characteristic colorful bark.

The 7.5 acre garden is an outdoor classroom, research facility and community resource. Visiting the garden is free to the public. (Bathrooms are closed during the Covid-19 pandemic.)

Approaching the La Kretz entrance.

There are three entrances to the garden, one along Hilgard Avenue, and two on Tiverton, across from the Dental School and Medical Center. We came in through the La Kretz entrance on Tiverton, and followed the path, first to the Garden Pavilion and patio with picnic tables, then up toward the lilies and subtropical forest. Birds were singing and spring flowers were blooming all along the way.

Bamboo planting at the Tiverton entrance to the garden.

We returned to the gate on a lower path above the stream. We could have stayed longer than we did, but this was just the beginning of a longer walk around the UCLA campus. (See my post about the UCLA Sculpture Garden.)

Spring flowers.

Now that I’ve returned to the Botanical Garden after my long absence, I’m eager to come back and explore more, especially as the seasons change.

Dirt paths meander through the garden beds.

For a map and information about visiting the Milded E. Mathias Botanical Garden, click HERE.
To learn more about botanist Dr. Mildred E. Mathias and her long and distinguished career at UCLA, click HERE.