Botanical Gardens
Botanical Mess
Throughout the world many cities large and small are known for their Botanical Gardens. These are not just places for the tourist. Indeed, many home gardeners have found inspiration by quietly wandering around their local public gardens.
Many Botanical gardens run training programmes, and volunteers have the chance to join in behind the scenes. Plantings typical of the local country and climate can be seen at their best. And watching paid gardeners at work weeding is inspiring - giving many gardeners expansive ideas to hire a few garden helpers of their own.
Recently, I have enjoyed visting some of these gardens.
New Zealand Botanical Gardens
Christchurch Botanical Gardens- A Beautiful Botanical Garden that help gives Christchurch its 'Garden City' name. The gardens are in the middle of Hagley Park. Webmaster Son went to school nearby and played rugby on the fields in winter. The Christchurch Botanical Gardens boasts a world famous Frisbee Lawn.
Wellington Botanical Garden, New Zealand- The Wellington Botanic Garden features 25 hectares of protected native forest, conifers, plant collections and seasonal displays.
Australian Botanical Gardens
Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens- The Botanic Gardens in Sydney Australia has, amongst other features, The National Herbarium of New South Wales.
Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens, Sydney- Mount Tomah Botanic Garden, in the world-heritage listed Greater Blue Mountains, is situated 1000 metres above sea level and has many plants not suited to Sydney's climate.
Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens- The Royal Botanic Gardens have become famous for their spectacular vistas across sweeping lawns and lakes. The gardens include an Autralian Rainforest Walk.
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens- The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is Australia's second oldest botanic garden (est 1818) and is a cool climate botanic garden. The gardens are located on the Queens Domain, near Hobart, and houses the largest public collection of mature conifers in the Southern Hemisphere.
English Botanical Gardens
Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew- Moosey's Country Garden will be visiting the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew this year. Kew is one of the most important gardens in the world and one of the most beautiful. A wealth of gardening information for gardeners all around the world, not just in the uk.
North American Botanical Gardens
Brooklyn Botanic Garden- Another Large American Botanical Garden website. Includes a virutal garden tour.
Desert Botanical Garden- Located in Phoenix, Arizona the 50 acre Desert Botanical Garden is dedicated to outdoor desert plants and is home to many rare and endangered plant species.
New York Botanical Garden- One of the largest botanical gardens in the world with 28 speciality gardens and a huge website with lots to explore. I'll get there one day.
Missouri Botanical Gardens- Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the US, and an oasis in the city of St. Louis. There are 79 acres of beautiful horticultural display, including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden.
Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden- Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, Miami has extensive collections of rare tropical plants including palms, cycads, flowering trees and vines. Established in 1938, the 83-acre garden is among the region's most popular visitor attractions and offers a variety of programs in environmental education, conservation and horticulture.