One of the most salient aspects of the Los Angeles Arboretum & Botanic Garden is that it basks in a balmy Mediterranean climate. Cool mild winters and warm dry summers permit the cultivation of both native species and hundreds of exotic ones from around the globe. Whether hailing from the South African Cape, Chile, Australia, or the Mediterranean region itself, year-round, there is always something of particular interest. An entire horticultural world beckons within the 127 acres of the gardens. Collections are roughly grouped by The Americas, Asia, Africa, and Australia, and encompass bamboos, palms, tropical rarities, desert species, herbs of the world, rose gardens and citrus groves. The Arboretum's famous peacock (see video) adds moving color to the landscapes while keeping the snail population under control. Water features like Baldwin Lake host migrating bird species and offer refreshing coolness. Plant society sales and meetings occur all through the year, offering rare specimens not easily found at most nurseries. It's a great resource for anyone who has the desire to delve deeper into the cultivation of particular species, whether it be orchids, chrysanthemums, ferns, daylilies, or into the precise arts of bonsai and ikebana. Increasingly, the Arboretum is focusing on the unique challenges of gardening and landscaping in a dry climate, with demonstration gardens and opportunities to learn about green living, water conservation, and organic gardening. These valuable lessons can be taken home and put into practice on even the smallest piece of Eden. Visits to the Arboretum can be planned from any of Starwood's 23 Los Angeles area hotels, including the nearby Westin Pasadena or the Sheraton Pasadena.