I always hesitate to write about “The Best of” anything because these lists are always highly subjective. This sentiment definitely holds true for garden lovers. One afficionado may consider a particular garden or garden style sublime while another finds it just so so. Nevertheless, now that Spring is here, I thought I would dip my proverbial foot into the dirt and highlight a few of America’s beautiful gardens which showcase diverse landscapes, flora, and designs to view and visit this year.
Next week, I will showcase some of Canada’s stunning gardens. For those who have not yet visited this gorgeous country, you must. Canada offers much more than the stereotypical images of polar bears, beautiful forests, and pontine.
Finally, in week three, I will highlight some of the most beautiful gardens around the world. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy!
In no particular order, here are ten to consider:
- Longwood Gardens (Kennett Square, Pennsylvania): Spanning over 1,000 acres, Longwood Gardens offers a variety of landscapes, including formal gardens, meadows, and woodlands. It features an impressive collection of plants, fountains, and conservatories.
- Biltmore Estate Gardens (Asheville, North Carolina): The gardens at the Biltmore Estate, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, offer a picturesque setting with Italian and English garden influences. Visitors can explore formal gardens, a conservatory, and a stunning rose garden.
- Huntington Botanical Gardens (San Marino, California): This expansive garden features a diverse collection of plants from around the world, including a Japanese garden, desert garden, and Chinese garden. The botanical gardens are part of the larger Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
- Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe, Illinois): Situated on 385 acres, the Chicago Botanic Garden offers a variety of themed gardens, including a Japanese garden, English walled garden, and rose garden. Visitors can also explore native habitats and a renowned bonsai collection.
- Portland Japanese Garden (Portland, Oregon): Renowned for its serene beauty and authentic Japanese design, this garden features traditional elements such as tea houses, ponds, and meticulously pruned plants. It offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and the city skyline.
- Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (Coral Gables, Florida): Specializing in tropical plants, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden showcases diverse flora from around the world. Visitors can explore themed gardens, water features, and a butterfly conservatory.
- New York Botanical Garden (Bronx, New York): This iconic garden features diverse plant collections, including rare and endangered species. Highlights include the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, themed gardens, and seasonal exhibitions.
- Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (Cincinnati, Ohio:) The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is one of the oldest zoos in the United States and is renowned for its commitment to conservation, education, and sustainability. Both the zoo and its beautiful botanical gardens have won numerous awards.
- The Nichols Arboretum (Ann Arbor, Michigan): Locally known as “The Arb,” this beautiful garden lies within the University of Michigan campus. Particularly noteworthy is the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden, which is simply stunning.
- Missouri Botanical Garden (St. Louis, Missouri): is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the United States and is renowned for its extensive plant collections, historic landscapes, and commitment to botanical research, conservation, and education.
