Beverly Hills dream
Garden tours are a lovely dime a dozen in Southern California, but leave it to Virginia Robinson, the fabled first lady of Beverly Hills, to inspire a daylong extravaganza that incorporates sumptuous food, fashion and floral design with tours of her historic mansion and gardens as well as other Beverly Hills gardens, some so exclusive their owners are unnamed.
Of course, the 30th annual Virginia Robinson Gardens tour costs $250 to $500 — far more than a dime, But the proceeds go to restoring one of the Los Angeles County’s least known parks, and supporting its educational programs for children, said Joan Selwyn, founder of the Friends of Virginia Robinson Gardens, which organizes the event.
Some call it “a hidden gem,” she said, “because there are even people in our own community who may not know about us.”
Virginia and Harry Robinson, heir to the Robinson’s department store chain, bought 6 acres in 1911 on a small hill with a massive view in what later became Beverly Hills.
The Robinsons were famous for lavish celebrity parties hosting Hollywood royalty such as Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin and Fred Astaire. Virginia was also a supporter of local orphanages and the Hollywood Bowl, which re-created its season openers on her lawn.
When Virginia Robinson died in 1977, just shy of her 100th birthday, she left her estate to the county. The Friends organization was formed to raise money to restore the property. “Everything we do… we try to do in the tradition of VirginiaRobinson, “Selwyn said.
The May 19 event includes a chance to talk with Sunset magazine editor in chief Irene Edwards (Sunset is a major sponsor), a tour of the Beverly Hills garden of interior designer Richard Shapiro, who is this year’s grand marshal, a Ted Baker London fashion show and food by chef Timothy Hollingsworth of Otium, and the Kitchen for Exploring Foods.