Before complete renovation of the Botanical Building in Balboa Park began just over two years ago, a virtual jungle of plants, trees and exotic flowers had flourished inside the unique structure. But some of the trees had grown so tall that they were crowding out the smaller ones. They reached as high as the ceiling, some of them. The shrubs, flowers and plants beneath the thick and lush canopy weren’t getting the sunshine they needed.

The overgrowth was one reason why it was decided that the building must be be carefully deconstructed, door by door, window by window, along with the ceiling. What’s more, the lovely structure was showing signs of a century’s wear and tear.

Often, regular visitors to the park found it difficult to watch the beloved building being taken apart. But they’d nod and say it had to be done. I wasn’t so sure myself.

Finally, in November 2024, the fences around the building were taken down so that everyone could admire the new creation, complete with its cupola. The reflecting pond in front had also received a spiffing up. Now it sparkles under the sunlight and makes a near-perfect mirror image of the Botanical Building’s windows.

Much fanfare took place at the ribbon-cutting and official opening of the new Botanical Building on Dec. 8, 2024. Our patience had finally paid off. At last, we could step inside and look around the garden of delights.

Not only is its beauty on the outside something to behold, inside is a glorious spectacle.

In our visit to the building early in January, my husband and I admired the bounty of plants. We feasted our eyes on lady palm trees, ferns, cycads, and orchids in their just-planted stages. Deep pink, almost red, cyclamen and interesting ground cover plants, including one that resembled hands also have made the Botanical Building their home. Exotic air plants grew in the bark of the some trees, such as the Roxburgh Fig.

We spent nearly an hour looking up and down and around, admiring the sunlight shining much brighter than before the reconstruction. Interesting shadows played on the towering doors.

Just after the docent announced we had ten minutes left before closing, I went quickly around the building again to note any other attention-getting details. I discovered some Urn plants, which are popular in SoCal gardens. I looked down deep into the center in one of the plants and gasped. Some kind of insect, a fat striped black and white bug, was nestled in there. I looked closer, using my camera also to get better focus. Turned out, the “bug” was a big drop of water reflecting the lattice-work of the ceiling.

Just one little proof that there’s always something new to see when exploring. While waiting for the plants and trees to grow fuller and taller in this world-famous botanical garden, we can delight in new signs of life as well as study the exquisite and careful woodwork of the structure.

Like so many of the other architectural gems within Balboa Park, the Botanical Building was built in 1915 as part of the Panama-California Exposition. It is one of only four designed to remain as permanent features in the park and recognized as one of the largest wood lath structures in the world.

No question, both the flora and architecture took our breath away. On the Sunday afternoon when my husband and I visited, we counted 260 people inside the building soaking up the sights.

Come spring, many of the flowering plants and trees will burst into color. Oh, the things we will see!

El Botanical Building is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; admission is free.

— Cynthia G. Robertson is an award-winning freelance writer and photographer. She has composed interesting stories about SoCal people and places for more than 30 years. Her stories, essays and poems have also been published in “Acorn Review,” a literary journal, as well as several anthologies, including “Six Feet Apart…in the Time of Corona.” She blogs about her observations of nature and spirituality, and in 2019, she penned her first novel, “Where You See Forever.” She is working on her second novel. Find out more at: cynthiarobertson.com.

Photos by Cynthia G. Robertson