Meeting:

May 8, 2008

Guest Presenter:

Michael DeHart

Horticulturist for the J. Paul Getty Trust

Program:

Behind the Scenes at the Getty’s Gardens

Get an insider’s view of the Getty Villa Gardens in Malibu and the Getty Center Gardens in Los Angeles from Michael DeHart, a 17-year Getty veteran who divides his time between the two sites. He’ll explain the design, development and maintenance of these very special landscapes.

In his presentation, Michael will share the Getty Villa’s mission of replicating a first century Roman home and its grounds. He’ll take his audience on a virtual tour of the Inner Peristyle, Outer Peristyle, East Garden and Herb Garden, pointing out plants important to the Romans and how they were used by the household for culinary, medicinal and religious purposes.

Michael will also provide an insider’s look into artist Robert Irwin’s living work of art, the Getty Center’s Central Garden, which features a floating azalea maze and a tree-lined stream garden. He’ll explain how the artist’s desires were translated into a visual and sensual experience for visitors, and the challenges he faces in keeping this garden true to Mr. Irwin’s vision.

Born and raised on a Mennonite farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Michael has been gardening from a very early age. He moved to California to study horticulture at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and interned at Walt Disney World in Florida. For 17 years, he has been integrally involved in the design and management of the Getty Trust’s two very different gardens. In this position, he has traveled to Europe to study ancient sites and public spaces. His weekend passion is a cabin he built on 40 acres in the Sequoia National Forest.

This month, representatives from The Getty will be coming to our meeting with an assortment of beautiful Getty publications for sale, including Robert Irwin Getty Garden by Lawrence Weschler (J. Paul Getty Museum, 2002).

Plant Raffle

The Huntington Botanical Gardens will provide this month’s plant raffle.

When a SCHS member brings a first-time guest, both the member and their guest will receive a free raffle ticket. We hope to see you there.

Location: Friendship Auditorium, 3201 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Click here for a map to Friendship Auditorium.

This event is FREE to the public and membership supports our efforts. Ample onsite free parking is available.

Upcoming Meetings – mark your Calendar now! Meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month, unless noted otherwise.

2008 Schedule

May 8: Michael DeHart, horticulturist for the J. Paul Getty Trust, will discuss the gardens at the Getty Center and Getty Villa.

June 12: Maurice Levin will discuss “Growing Cycads in Southern California.”

July 10: Stephen Ingram, author of “Cacti, Agaves and Yuccas of California and Nevada” will give a related talk.