What to Know”TROLLS: A Field Study”South Coast Botanic GardenPalos Verde PeninsulaThe garden hosted some of artist Thomas Dambo’s figures in 2023; now a cadre of colorful creatures will alight at the garden starting in March 2026Included with admission
You never know what sort of critter you might encounter in a lush, sun-dappled garden — a fluttering Monarch butterfly, a wee worm, or a squirrel chittering high in a tree — but you can be mostly assured you’ll never come across a troll.
The key word here is “mostly”: Sometimes, when the air is sparkling and spring is on the wind, a troll or two or even 12 will show up at a sylvan Southern California wonderland full of leaf and light.
That will whimsically and wonderfully happen in March when a caboodle of quirky creatures created by artist Thomas Dambo take up residence, at least for a playful period, at South Coast Botanic Garden.
You may recall that some of Mr. Dambo’s famous Trolls graced the Palos Verdes Peninsula garden in 2023. If you called upon the 87-acre expanse during that time, it would have been hard to miss the colossal cuties.
Adding to their cuteness? The Trolls are all created from reclaimed wood, giving them a rustic yet regal appearance.
“TROLLS: Save the Humans” featured a few mythical beings all boasting earthy occupations and/or interests. The new line-up, dubbed “TROLLS: A Field Study” has a different and equally delightful take: What if these fanciful figures were actually observing us in order to find our most “unique” and awesome traits?
March is when this merriment begins, the “gentle, globe-trotting giants” stand tall — or stretch out to great lengths, at least where any supine sculptures are concerned — and have become instant favorites wherever they appear.
There’s a Thomas Dambo Troll at the California Nature Art Museum in Solvang, so sweet, but finding these straight-from-a-storybook characters isn’t always easy, making the upcoming “Field Study” a must-visit for those Dambo devotees who are eager to encounter every Troll they can.
Taking in this effervescent and offbeat scene is included with your garden admission. No specific date in March has yet been shared, so keep an eye on the South Coast Botanic Garden socials.
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