December 30, 2025 – From the Rose Garden to the Herb Garden: Exploring Culture, Plants, and Pedagogy

On December 30, 2025, a teacher cultural visit co-hosted by the Southern California Chinese Teachers Association (CLTA-SC) and Global Asian Women Artists Magazine, with generous support from The Huntington Library, was successfully held. A total of 12 Chinese language teachers participated in this immersive one-day program exploring plants, art, material culture, and pedagogy.

The morning began in the Rose Garden, where Cynthia Derick, a volunteer docent, introduced the history of Chinese roses and their related species. Teachers learned how Chinese roses influenced the development of rose varieties worldwide, while also gaining insight into the history of The Huntington. Interactive activities helped participants understand the evolution of basic rose species.

After lunch, the group visited the Herb Garden. Jennifer Fu, a biology graduate from Seoul National University, a member of the California Association of Chinese Medicine, and the founder of a women’s health brand, provided an overview of the ChineseHerb Garden and explained the characteristics and traditional uses of Chinese medicinal herbs, encouraging teachers to consider classroom applications.

The program concluded in the Chinese Garden. Esa Wang, an interdisciplinary artist and the founder and editor-in-chief of Global Asian Women Artists Magazine, explored the cultural relationship between Yixing clay pot and traditional herbal brewing, highlighting the cultural practices and values embedded in these objects. Art critic Wajie E further elaborated on the craftsmanship and production process of Yixing teapots, offering participants a more comprehensive understanding of their cultural significance. These discussions offered teachers practical inspiration for future teaching.

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