Humankind has been cultivating nature for food, shelter and beauty
for thousands of years. Botanical gardens represent the best aspects of
both nature and nurture. The ten stunning botanical gardens included on
this list are found in North America, South America, Europe, African and
Asia and offer flowers, trees and manicured grounds designed to provide
beautiful aromas along with pleasing the eye.
1. Butchart Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
No visit to the provincial capital of British Columbia in Canada would be complete without a visit to Butchart Gardens.
Designated as a National Historic Site of Canada, Butchart Gardens
includes lush expanses of ancient trees, beautiful butterflies and seven
hundred varieties of fragrant flowers.
2. Montreal Botanical Garden, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
The Montreal Botanical Garden, located just minutes
from downtown, provides a sanctuary from hectic urban life. The grounds
are actually comprised of thirty thematic gardens and ten exhibition
greenhouses featuring more than twenty-two thousand different plant
species. The facility offers exhibitions and other events all year
round.
3. Royal Botanic Kew Gardens, London, England
One of the most famous botanical gardens in the world, the Royal Botanic Kew Gardens
in London, England, has been designated as a World Heritage Site by
UNESCO. Open every day of the year except Christmas Eve and Christmas
Day, Kew Gardens features flowers during the warmer months, trees
sporting gorgeous colors in the fall and glass houses and galleries all
year round.
4. Gardens of the Palace of Versailles, Paris, France
Commissioned in 1641 by Louis XIV, the gardens required four decades
for completion. Filled with trees, flowers and sculptured grounds, the
gardens represent the king’s belief that the creation and maintenance of
the grounds surrounding the magnificent palace of Versailles were as
important as the palace itself.
5. Na ‘Aina Kai Gardens, Kauai, Hawaii
The phrase “Na ‘Aina Kai” means “lands by the sea” in Hawaiian, and
is a fitting name for these lush cultivated and wild gardens located
near the Pacific Ocean. Once part of a private estate, Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Gardens includes a hardwood plantation, a canyon covered with moss and ferns, sandy beaches and an explosion of floral color.
6. Botanical Garden of Curitiba, Brazil
The Botanical Garden of Curitiba, Brazil was created
to follow the French tradition, and its world-renowned greenhouse
attracts researchers from around the globe. In addition to lush flowers
and greenery, the garden grounds feature one hundred fourteen statues
created by artist Frans Kraycberg.
7. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Cape Town, South Africa
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in Cape
Town, South Africa, formed in 1913, is world famous for its vast variety
of indigenous plant life. The garden also features stone sculptures
along with gorgeous native flora. I visited this wonderful botanical
garden and I can say that it’s breathtakingly beautiful and a great
place to relax.
8. Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden, Pattaya, Chonburi Province, Thailand
Located a short ninety minute drive from Bangkok, Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden
in Pattaya also features luxury resort accommodations. Boasting the
world’s largest collection of palm plants and the greatest variety of
orchids in Thailand, the “Reflections of Asia” display earned a gold
medal for Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden at the 2010 Chelsea
Flower Show.
9. Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens, Tokyo, Japan
Nestled within one of the world’s great megacities, Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens
in Tokyo represents an island of tranquility, perfect for a mid-day
break from the hustle of your daily routine. Filled with flowering
cherry trees, seasonal flora and sculptured landscaping, the garden also
includes its own lake situated in the center of the grounds.
10. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, New York
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is actually a collection
of more than a dozen different gardens, including the Children’s Garden
and Discovery Garden, each geared for young visitors, the Cherry
Esplanade populated by beautiful flowering cherry trees, the Rock Garden
and the Cranford Rose Garden. The grounds also include a number of
conservatories, including the Bonsai Museum, Tropical Pavilion and
Aquatic House.
Botanical gardens are beautiful places to go for anyone who loves
plants and who wants to spend a day in a wonderful place. Have you ever
visited one of these botanical gardens? What are your impressions of it?
