Sherman Gardens not so secret anymore

Noaki Schwartz

CORONA DEL MAR -- The Sherman Library & Gardens will no longer be a

closely guarded jewel now that it is set to appear on the nationally

televised program, “Secret Gardens.”

“They wanted to know what made us secret,” said Wade Roberts, director of

the gardens. “Rarely do you come here and not be able to feel like it’s

your own garden because it’s not crowded.”

But that may change once the Home and Garden Channel’s series airs this

Friday.

The show’s producers said they selected the Sherman Gardens after reading

about it in the National Geographic Guide to America’s Public Gardens.

“It is so beautiful and off the beaten path,” said Molly Finkel, the

show’s coordinating producer. “To have such a beautiful garden laying in

midst of such a huge metropolitan area is a secret.”

The series, which began last fall, shot eight hours of footage for the

brief six-minute appearance. In it, Wade talked about the history of the

2.2-acre site, which includes a central garden, tea garden, rose garden

and tropical conservatory.

Wade said he emphasized the bold displays of color scattered throughout

the grounds.

“You continually rediscover the mass color,” Wade said, adding that by

mass color, he is referring to beds of yellow marigolds, purple irises or

red roses.

The gardens, which opened in 1966, will celebrate its 35th anniversary

next year.

In addition to the botanic gardens, the facility also has a research

center devoted to the study of the Pacific Southwest. The center has

thousands of rare books, photos, city directories and documents from the

past 100 years.

The Sherman Library & Gardens also offers community programs, special

events, garden tours and facilities for weddings. The gardens also

feature Cafe Jardin, a restaurant and tea room.

FYI

* WHAT: Sherman Library & Gardens

* WHERE: The Home and Garden Channel’s “Secret Garden” program

* WHEN: Friday at 8 p.m.