WONDROUS GARDENS AROUND THE WORLD
explore the gardens of the world with me
Mention the phrase “this garden has an extensive collection of peonies” and I will be the first one to hop on to a plane for a visit! As a resident of hot and humid Houston, the dream of adding peonies to the garden shall forever remain a dream. Taking advantage of the long, sunny, Summer days with average temperatures in the 60s F, Southern Alaska is an ideal location to grow these mesmerizing flowers. Housing 100 varieties of peonies, the Alaska Botanical Gardens showcase their collection of peonies beautifully.
Peonies are not the only flowers that thrive in this climate and the Alaska Botanical Garden does a wonderful job highlighting and caring for a wide variety of blooming plants. In fact, the garden is home to a nationally accredited Himalayan (Meconopsis) Poppy collection that includes 14 varieties. Additionally, you will find a wonderful Rock Garden, Wildflower Trail, and Anchorage Heritage Garden (which pays homage to the town’s gardens on the first half of the 20th century).
When I had the opportunity visit Alaska in 2018, I remembered reading about women in Alaska who have a similar affinity for peonies. Sunset Magazine highlighted Peony Farmers of Homer, Alaska in their August 2017 issue (https://www.sunset.com/garden/behind-the-scenes-alaskan-peony-farming). Hopefully I will get to visit the Northern part of the Kenai Peninsula the next time I go to Alaska so I can take a peak at these flowers in production.
Alaska Botanical Gardens & Peonies
Anchorage, Alaska Visited August 2018
“Easily one of the most iconic and famous gardens world wide, and for good reason, Kew will leave you breathless and with the longest ‘to plant’ list you’ve ever written.
A 45 minute black cab ride outside of London, 300 acres of glass houses, lawns, historical buildings, and truly unbelievable plants is just waiting to astonish gardeners and non gardeners alike.
Visiting in August meant missing the summer flush of roses, but the mixed borders were so densely planted, and buzzing with life, it made up for it.
My daughter truly enjoyed the enormous ‘children’s garden’ which was essentially a playground in the sky, overlooking the iconic glass houses.
While she romped, I spent time in the waterlily house, home to the Amazon Waterlily, one of the largest water lily species.
Can’t hop the pond anytime soon? Checkout their vast website that details all attractions, and the history of the buildings and gardens alike!”
-Alex Lekometros, Guest Contributor & Owner of Bungalow Blooms
(Check her out https://www.bungalowbloomshtx.com/)
Kew Gardens
Richmond, London, United Kingdom Visited August 2023
Located at the tipity-top of Manhattan, the Cloisters is a must visit the next time you visit New York City. This gem of The Met, is unique example of Medieval Architecture that houses artwork of the same time (most notably the Unicorn Tapestries) and features beautiful gardens.
The gardens of the cloisters were created to showcase the importance of the natural world in the everyday lives of the Medieval time period. Vegetables and fruit were harvested for eating, herbs and spices were cultivated for medicinal and even magical purposes, flowers and blooms were collected by artists for their pigments, and sweeping meadows provided inspiration for works of art.
The magic of this exquisite collection of medieval treasures is palpable as you stroll beneath the columned corridors that frame the gardens.
The Cloisters
New York, New York Visited September 2019
Beldi Country Club
“Beldi Country Club is a sprawling retreat set on the outskirts of Marrakech, Morocco. The grounds are filled with gardens stretching as far as the eye can see in all directions with intentional alcoves for peaceful reflection in nature. The rose garden is the first to greet you when you enter the property, with rows and rows of beautiful blooms that lead you to charming donkeys.
As you wander the paths you will find A green oasis of charm, ancient olive trees, ripe orange trees and breathtaking views across the rose gardens to the Atlas Mountains. Beldi Country Club has created truly the most tranquil, relaxing, and charming space to reset and enjoy Morocco in.”
-Lucy Tomforde, Guest Contributor & Head of Branding and Design for Staley Scape
(Check her out https://linktr.ee/bunchoftomfoolery)
Marrakech, Morocco Visited May 2022
Have you ever dreamed of having an Orange Tree planted in a Delftware pot? After visiting the royal palace, built by the House of Orange-Nassau, your next decorating scheme might feature blues, whites, and a pop of Orange!
This Dutch Baroque garden was designed by the nephew of Andre le Notre, Claude Desgotz, and follows the similar rules established by the famed architect of the Versaille Grounds while also incorporating the lush, wooded forests as a frame for the formal gardens. The formal parterres twist and swirl in intricate patterns, allowing the perennials to pop with brightly colored blooms. Additionally, as a show of wealth and power, the eponymous ruling house had to have a vast Orangery to keep the tender citrus protected in the winter.
My journey to Het Loo would not have been possible without the generosity of the wonderful Wilpitz family who let me stay with them in Utrecht for the week!
Paleis Het Loo
Apeldoorn, Netherlands Visited June 2017
When I found out that my In-Laws were retiring to Mid-Coast Maine, visions of a Martha Stewart garden tour began floating through my head. While I haven’t been invited over to Skylands, yet, I did get to visit several of the wonderful gardens of Mt. Desert!
After a morning visit to Cadillac Mountain and lunch in the town of Bar Harbor, we traveled along the Southern roads of Acadia National Park to Thuya & Asticou Azalea Gardens. Thuya Garden was in full bloom with rows and rows of beautiful perennials and flowering trees. At the bottom of the hill, Asticou Garden hosts a plethora of Azales, Maples, and Pines all laid out in the Japanese Style.
Next summer, we can not wait to take Baby James to Maine so that he may toddle through these wonderful green spaces!
Thuya & Asticou Azalea Gardens
Mt. Desert, Maine Visited July 2021
After posing with the Christ the Redeemer Statue and singing “Girl from Ipanema” while walking along the eponymous road, the whole family was looking for a way to escape the crowded tourist attractions. Heading inland, we embraced the tropical humidity and swapped people for plants.
Greeting visitors with an allée of stately palm trees, the entrance to the Botanical Gardens of Rio de Janeiro beckons you in to explore the its wonderful tropical treasures. Giant Lily Pads float gracefully upon the lake, exotic orchids thrive in their own hot house paradise, and cactus and succulents reach to the sky (towering above my sister and me). The most striking element of the garden is the vibrant red flowers of the Cannon Ball tree (named for the large cannon ball shaped seed pods).
If you find yourself in the land of the original Copacabana, then this garden is a must visit!
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Visited March 2016
Jardim Botanico
