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Whether you are go for business or pleasance , with Friend or alone , set some time away to visit a public garden . There ’s nothing quite like strolling through a fond conservatory replete with exotic plant life on a grey winter ’s day , bask the fragrance of thousands of rose blooms in summer , or reap idea for your home landscape from artistically designed border .
By visiting these gardens , you are also often helping to support of import conservation study and horticultural research , all while being inspire and learning about different plants and horticulture techniques .
Here are our recommendations for some of the very salutary gardens to visit across the country .
On this page : West Coast Gardens|Midwest Gardens|Southwest Gardens|Rocky Mountain Gardens|Northeast Gardens|Southeast Gardens
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WEST COAST GARDENS
pic by Karen Chapman .
BELLEVUE BOTANICAL GARDENBellevue , WA
A dead on target urban jewel , there is something here for everyone — and in every season . child of all age will love the 150 - foot - long abeyance bridgework over a deep ravine , as well as the naturalistic Urban Meadow , while keen gardeners and lensman will want to research the extremely acclaimed perennial border with its modern compounding .
While you ’re in the area , ensure out these other gardens in ourself - guided day slip to Seattle .
exposure by Janet Loughrey
PORTLAND JAPANESE GARDENPortland , OR
A tranquil oasis for all who enter the traditional gates , this 12 - acre garden includes eight disjoined garden vogue , meandering stream , peaceful pathways , an unquestionable Japanese Tea House , and a spectacular perspective of Mt. Hood .
To finish your turn , visit the Cultural Village designed by humanity - renowned designer Kengo Kuma . Here , visitors can soak up themselves in traditional Japanese fine art through seasonal activities , performances , and demonstrations .
Discover other local garden in ourself - guide day trip to Portland .
pic by Karen Chapman
FILOLIWoodside , CA
There is so much to see and suck up at Filoli . This is a sojourn to savor .
resonant of a grand English estate of the realm , you are indisputable to be enchanted by the traditional terraces , manicured lawn , and stone balustrades , with breathtaking remote eyeshot to the Santa Cruz Mountains .
Charming brick garden bodily structure can be found throughout the grounds , a pure scope for the clusters of weathered terracotta passel filled with seasonal bulbs and flowers . Yet there is so much more : geometrical bed filled with colouring corralled by clipped hedges , farseeing vista that lure you through the garden spaces , serene body of water features , and courtly allées .
In springtime , the orchard is truly delightful as yard of naturalized daffodil bloom beneath the gnarly fruit Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
Photo by Kelly Kilpatrick
SAN FRANCISCO BOTANICAL GARDENSSan Francisco , CA
move the world in 55 acres as you search landscape gardens and open spaces . If you happen to be here during the months of January or February , be certain to jaw the spectacular display of over 200 magnolia in efflorescence — many of them rare varieties . The Succulent Garden and New Zealand showing are also always popular .
While you ’re here , condition out these other nearby gardens as advocate in ourself - lead day trip-up to San Francisco .
THE HUNTINGTON BOTANICAL GARDENSSan Marino , CA
If you are essay breathing in on a grand musical scale , this elegant 207 - acre the three estates came extremely recommended by our local garden expert in ourself - guided Clarence Shepard Day Jr. trip to Los Angeles .
While you could easy pass an full daytime here , the Desert Garden is a “ must see " , especially with the late good afternoon Dominicus backlighting the cactus collection . The California Garden contiguous to the eating house is a singular demonstration of how beautiful native and wry - climate plants can be .
Photo by Kit Leong / Shutterstock
DESCANSO GARDENSFlintridge , CA
From the woodland of heritage coast bouncy oaks ( Quercus agrifolia ) to a themed Rose Garden with companion plantings , and a Camelia Collection to California Natives , this remarkable retreat offer twelvemonth - daily round born beauty as well as botanical collections and seasonal displays .
Check out theirBloom Calendarto come across highlights you wo n’t want to miss during your sojourn .
MID-WEST GARDENS
photograph courtesy Chicago Botanic Garden
CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDENGlencoe , IL
Gather melodic theme for your home landscape painting , explore the multi - sensorial Enabling Garden , and go over the top performers in the trial garden . Our local garden expert recommended this garden as being somewhere that one could find out something new every day .
Check out the full detail , together with ideas to make this a full Clarence Day of garden - hopping in ourself - manoeuver tour of gardens in Chicago .
See their website to learn the concert and effect schedule too .
picture by aceshot1 / Shutterstock
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDENSt . Louis , MO
Not your mean botanical garden , this is now registered as a National Historic Landmark and has been open to the world since 1859 . Looking for notable plant assemblage ? agree . Demonstration gardens ? There are 23 to collect ideas from . conservatory ? There are three : a futuristic geodesic noodle social organisation covers over a half - acre , a delightful brick conservatory that dates back to 1882 , and a more recent temperate family that features several themed displays .
In short , this is a true destination and one that deserves your backing .
Photo by Pat Dooley / Shutterstock
CLEVELAND BOTANICAL GARDENCleveland , OH
What this garden lack in land area it make up for in abundance and innovation . From the luxuriant Gateway Garden to the aptly named Inspiration Gardens , you will be amazed by the ideas that you may contain into your own garden .
When you ’re ready to ill-treat into the glasshouse , you’re able to visit both the Dr. Seuss - similar landscape and alien brute of Madagascar , as well as the tropic rainforest of Costa Rica arrant with butterflies and gently cooing earth doves .
SOUTHWEST GARDENS
picture courtesy San Antonio Botanical Garden
SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDENSan Antonio , TX
The best public gardens proffer inspiration , didactics , and foundation — and this botanical garden delivers . visitor will apprise not only the water - wise ideas ascertain along the Texas Native Trail , but also the opportunity to view the local and migrating raspberry from within the Bird Watch structure . This paying attention design affords unnoticeable fowl watching , so be trusted to pack your binoculars .
The garden also includes a phone number of architecturally significant structures including a futurist field glass conservatory and several buildings dating back to the 1800s .
It ’s only a 1 - minute driveway from here to Austin , so be certain to check out ourself - guide on twenty-four hour period trip to outstanding garden in Austinwhile you ’re in the field .
exposure by RK2 Photography / Shutterstock
FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDENFort Worth , TX
Review what ’s happeningeach seasonand you ’ll quickly earn there is no bad time to visit . Whether your interest lies in veg gardening , perennial , water system conservation , or specialist accumulation , this botanic garden wo n’t disappoint .
Should you visit in saltation , be sure to chatter thebutterfly exhibit , the largest exhibit of live , exotic butterflies in north cardinal Texas .
pic good manners of Desert Botanical Garden
DESERT BOTANICAL GARDENPhoenix , AZ
Our local garden expert recommend this 55 - acre garden if you are in the Phoenix area , specially highlighting the Desert Discovery Loop Trail in the heart of the garden with its otherworldly example of cacti and succulent . There are several other trails to explore as well as rotate fine art exhibit and the award - winning eatery which is a “ must " .
See this and 2 other local Phoenix gardens in ourself - guided day trip in Phoenix , Arizona .
ROCKY MOUNTAIN GARDENS
Photo by Scott Dressel - Martin , Denver Botanic Garden
DENVER BOTANIC GARDENDenver , CO
With indoor seasonal displays and modern garden that showcase aboriginal and conform plant that prosper in the Colorado regions , as well as internationally inspired and decorative gardens , this is a botanical garden that you will want to return to again and again .
Whether you seek idea for Lord’s Day or shade , juiceless gardens or water garden , there are spate here .
See more about the Denver Botanic Garden and 2 other field gardens in ourself - guided mean solar day misstep to Denver , Colorado .
NORTHEAST GARDENS
Photo courtesy DC Gardens
UNITED STATES BOTANIC GARDENWashington , DC
A various ambit of garden experiences awaits visitant here . The historic hothouse houses courtyard garden , themed garden rooms , and special exhibits . Just outside the National Garden , there are planting that represent dissimilar environment from around the United States .
Across the route from the hothouse , Bartholdi Park is a showcase for exciting plant combinations centered around a stunning fountain .
Read what our local garden expert had to say and pick up other nearby gardens to natter in ourself - maneuver day trip to Washington DC .
Photo by Antonio Rosario
BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDENBrooklyn , NY
Now over a century old , but believe to represent the very good in urban gardening and horticultural display , the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a 52 - acre oasis tucked within a major metropolis .
Be sure to visit the Water Garden , where a meandering stream flows into a pond that also service to capture excess rain . summertime highlights here include riparian plants , such as summer - blooming hibiscus and sedge that have adapt to live near the water ’s edge . This is also a wonderful place to look for devil’s darning needle , frogs , and duck — a welcome respite from city aliveness .
tally out ourself - guided day trip to New York Cityfor more ideas .
photograph courtesy New York Botanical Garden
NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDENBronx , NY
Our local garden expert highlighted this macrocosm - famous garden in ourself - guided day misstep to New York City , comment that this 250 - Akka garden has “ an superfluity of riches . "
With 50 specialty garden and collections , even with the welfare of the garden trolley car serve , it may not be possible to see everything in a single sojourn .
LONGWOOD GARDENSKennett Square , PA
If you ’re visiting Philadelphia , Longwood should be your chief garden destination . appreciate as much for its spectacular hothouse displays as the illuminated Fountain Festivals , this world - form garden never disappoints .
Take time to stroll through the 86 - acre meadow to experience the best practice in bionomical garden design . Marvel at the tapis of realistic planting , enjoy the butterfly stroke and birds . Listen to the wind rattling seed forefront in fall and the cries of hawks roll overhead . This is a topographic point that will touch your pump .
While you ’re in the area , be certain to chitchat Chanticleer and the other outstanding garden highlighted in ourself - guided daylight tripper to Philadelphia .
SOUTHEAST GARDENS
ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDENSAtlanta , GA
Renowned works collections , beautiful displays , and salient expo combine to make an exciting urban oasis in the heart of Midtown . The garden includes 30 acre of outdoor gardens , an award - win Children ’s Garden , the serene Storza Woods highlighted by a unique Canopy Walk , and the picturesque Skyline Garden .
See our ego - steer day to trip to other local gardens inAtlanta , Georgia .
photograph by Timur Laykov / Shutterstock
NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDENSNaples , FL
Explore the exciting themed garden that represent the culture and vegetation of the tropics , from Bali to Brazil and the Caribbean Islands . Enjoy the delightful Children ’s Garden where kids of all ages will delight in the body of water fountains , butterflies , and a treehouse as they watch about the unique Floridian habitat .
Visitors also have the wonderful opportunity to see the 90 - Akka nature sanctuary where mangrove swamps provide habitat for wildlife include eagles , otters , Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree frogs , and gopher tortoise tortoises .
FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDENSCoral Gables , FL
Begin your visit with a free tram tour around the Garden to instruct more about the history , mission , and plant collections — it ’s a heavy way to get an overview before venturing out on your own .
pander your senses by walking beneath the alien Vine Pergola adorned with rafts of colorful flowering vines . Then , confab the Tropical Flowering Tree Arboretum and seek out the pimento tree tree diagram to apprise the dulcet , yet risque , aroma of the leafage . Special exhibit , conservatory , and the aromatic Tropical Fruit Pavilion all meld to give visitors a true gustation of the tropics .
See all of theGarden Design ego - Guided Day Trips
