Comments on: Exploring the Herb Garden at the Getty Villa

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:08:30 +0000

Hi Larry,

The palm trees are date palms. The botanical name is Phoenix dactylifera. Glad you enjoyed the Herb Garden!

Thanks,

Kim

By: Larry Nebel

Larry Nebel — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 20:39:14 +0000

What are the palm trees in the Herb garden – the garden is wonderful even in the winter and we loved the palms – would like to know their name

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 20:37:54 +0000

Hi Diana,

I spoke with Michael DeHart, our expert on all things garden, and he let me know that the longevity plant is also known as Acanthus mollis. The common name is bear’s breeches. Great plant!

Thanks,

Kim

By: diana osberg

diana osberg — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:27:27 +0000

We took a garden tour. It was wonderful. I have a question: What is the name of the plant that the docent referred to, several times, as the longevity plant on the outer gardens? Thank you, Diana

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 17:29:12 +0000

Hi Diane, The three varieties of oregano in the garden are: Dittany of Crete (Origanum dictamnus) from Crete, Sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana) from southwestern Europe and Turkey, and classic oregano (Origanum vulgare) from the eastern Mediterranean.

By: Diana

Diana — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 01:32:08 +0000

Thank you for this informative site! Do you happen to know the varieties of ornamental oreganos and their sources?

Thank you in advance.

By: Kim Mary

Kim Mary — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:25:44 +0000

Hi—I joyfully attending a plein air drawing opportunity at the Villa & was sketching in the herbal garden. I was fascinated by the artichoke-like plant and wondered if someone might be able to identify it. Can’t wait to attempt to plant my own….thank you so much, Kim

By: Bobby Dias

Bobby Dias — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:28:32 +0000

The lavender is from a seed packet from a Santa Barbara nursery/florist. Except for the garden with the succulents I planted all the plants at the Getty and the Getty Villa in the early 1960s. My idea for the tram and the parking garages at the Getty and the Getty Villa. Also, the areas for offices and other non-vistor areas at both were added on to the design by me, me feeding the architect about those items, plus the research/education building in back at the Getty. After getting to get to know me Mr. Getty pretty much let me add on what I wanted, including much of the glass doors and separation panels. When the the original floor marble started to arrive at the Getty cracked I choose replacements from local Los Angeles area stock wherever I could find some. Not quite as good a color scheme as originally planned but good considering the alternative. I chose the original marble at the Los Angeles County Museum Of Art and the Santa Barbara Museum Of Art and much of the Norton-Simon and some other California museums, myself raising the money to pay for the work-no charge by myself on any museum work.

By: Roanne

Roanne — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:53:06 +0000

Hi Kim, I really appreciate your post and love the Herb garden! I was there again this past weekend and asked an employee if the herbs, fruits or other produce were being used for cooking at all. I was extremely surprised to learn they are not. Would the getty be interested at all to start a program like this? I know plenty of food banks, restaurants that use local produce, or even public schools that could really use the amazing stuff grown at the villa!

Best,
Roanne

By: Chayse

Chayse — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 22:56:01 +0000

HI Lee,

They are Egyptian Walking onions. When the bulbs mature on the stem tops, they dry out and bend over with the weight of the bulbs. The news bulbs sprout and so, the common name, walking onions. They grow year after year and the green stems can be harvested and used like green onions all year long.