What to KnowThe Huntington in San Marino is supplying the Los Angeles Zoo with tasty trimmingsSeveral zoo animals have been munching on flowers and leaves gathered at the famous gardenThe trimmings are an enrichment tool for the animalsWhile there are not designated flower feedings, you may catch a porcupine nibbling on petals or a Western lowland gorilla silverback savoring a straight-from-the-garden goodie
Finding a bright flower or two topping an elegant salad isn’t all that unusual, especially at a frou-frou restaurant, and coming across a blossom floating atop a Bloody Mary or another stylish cocktail?
Garnishes from a garden are common and lovely sights when it comes to our favorite adult sips.
But eating the flowers grown at a famous garden is a pastime that is generally not smiled upon, unless, of course, you’re a cute critter residing at the Los Angeles Zoo.
In fact, several zoo residents are now nibbling on cuttings that hail from The Huntington, the stately San Marino landmark.
Nope, the animals at the Griffith Park-based zoo are not traveling east to call upon The Huntington; rather, trimmings from the gardens are finding their yummy way to the LA Zoo as part of a new partnership between the two Southern California institutions.
Both The Huntington and LA Zoo shared the sweet news in a July 22 social media post: “Instead of heading to the mulch pile, some of the Rose Garden trimmings are now being used as enrichment for animals at the zoo.”
The post begins with these wise words: “Some like to stop and smell the roses… and others like to roll in them.”
Video of sloths and other beasties biting into the world-famous flowers are live on Instagram, too.
While specific “flower feedings” times are not listed on the zoo’s site, you may catch a glimpse of a gorilla or porcupine cronching on a colorful blossom, if your timing is right.
You might even say that some of the zoo’s beloved beasties have a hankering for The Huntington, or rather some of the landmark’s most flavorful floral specimens.
For more on this petal-lined partnership, and some adorable photos, too, follow the flowery fragrance to this page now.