[photo credit: Descanso Gardens]
On Tuesday, December 23, the Boddy House Botanical Display debuts—a holiday showcase celebrating 150 acres of botanical artistry. The display reflects the vision of Kelly Fernandez, Descanso Gardens’ newly appointed Director of Horticulture and Facilities.
Fernandez arrives with substantial credentials. She spent 13 years at The Huntington, most recently as Horticulture Manager of the Experiential and Teaching Gardens. She holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University Global and a Bachelor of Arts from Cal State Los Angeles, plus certifications in Horticultural Therapy and as a Certified Interpretive Guide.
“My mission in life is to get people excited about plants,” Fernandez said. It’s a fitting mandate for a garden born from one man’s passion. The Boddy House itself—a 12,000-square-foot, 22-room Hollywood Regency mansion built in 1937-1938 by architect James E. Dolena, known as the “architect to the stars”—testifies to that vision.
Boddy, founder of the Los Angeles Daily News tabloid, deeded the 150-acre estate to Los Angeles County in 1953 with a binding provision: it must remain a public botanical garden forever.
CEO Juliann Rooke praised Fernandez’s appointment: “She possesses the right balance to care for our important historical collections while also looking to the future.”
Today, Descanso Gardens draws one million annual visitors. The grounds have expanded to include a Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, Oak Woodland and Ancient Forest.
Boddy House Botanical Display will run on Tuesday, Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. For more information, call (818) 949-4200 or visit https://www.descansogardens.org/event/boddy-house-botani al-display-2/2025-12-23/. Ticket prices: $18 adults, $14 seniors and students, $8 children ages 3-12, free for children under 2; admission included with Descanso Gardens general admission or membership.
