Under the Deodar Cedar: Lasting Memories at The Huntington

By Alex Jackson

Growing up in England, I realized I had green fingers at a young age. I spent time in my aunt's garden in Shere, learning how to plant and watching things grow. In my late teens, I found solace at Kew Gardens in London, exploring other regions of the world through their glass houses as a respite from rainy British summers.

I moved to Los Angeles in 2021, to warmer days and finally being in the same country as my partner, Cecile. A few months later, my father died unexpectedly. The day after this tragic event, we found ourselves at The Huntington. Through tears and wandering the gardens, we found some peace. I know my father would have enjoyed The Huntington very much, especially the Desert Garden. We shared a love of nature, planting, and tending to the garden.

After that, we became members and visited often, every time discovering something new we hadn't seen before. Sitting under the trees by the lily pond, watching the young geese finding their way, and walking through parts of the gardens where it felt like there was no one there but us. It truly is an incredibly special place in Southern California.

In March of 2023, underneath her favorite tree, the Deodar Cedar from the Himalayas, I proposed to Cecile. Safe to say, she wasn't expecting it, and I'll always treasure the look on her face. We both feel such a connection to the gardens and look forward to many more special memories there.

If The Huntington is a special place you want to ensure future generations enjoy, please get in touch! Contact Cris Lutz at 626.405.2212 or clutz@huntington.org. We’d love to hear from you.