There are reflecting ponds everywhere.

Sunnylands, the former Annenberg estate in Palm Springs California, is now open for public tours. The 200 acre desert estate consists of 9 acres of formally designed desert landscape, with 53,000 drought tolerant plants. Join me for a tour.

Sunnylands was designed by landscape architect James Burnett at the behest of Leonore Annenberg. It was modeled after Van Gogh’s 1889 painting, Olive Trees.

The gardens are laid out in a precise geometric grid and are completely flat. This would not be my choice for a desert garden, as I prefer the rolling, random-look, of natural desert landscapes, but the effect are sometimes striking.

The garden was designed with plants selected so that something would be blooming year round.

An amazing variety of of desert plants are growing here.

And despite the geometric-grid design, there is the peaceful feel of the Impressionists here.

Cheers to you from Sunnylands.