September 25, 2012
We all have a wish list of gardens to visit, right? Mine is getting longer every day! I try to make time for a garden visit whenever I travel, and at least once a year I travel expressly to visit gardens. Here are public gardens, plus private gardens frequently open to the public, that I have toured. Click the links for your armchair traveling pleasure, or use these posts to help you make your own must-see list.
ARIZONA
Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
Visit to Desert Botanical Garden and Chihuly Exhibit: Entry Garden & Desert Wildflower Loop, April 2014
Cactus and Succulent Galleries, April 2014
Archer House garden and Desert Living Trail, April 2014
Edible Garden, palo verde splendor, and Chihuly balloons, April 2014
Desert twilight and Chihuly after dark, April 2014
Cactus and Succulent Galleries, April 2014
Archer House garden and Desert Living Trail, April 2014
Edible Garden, palo verde splendor, and Chihuly balloons, April 2014
Desert twilight and Chihuly after dark, April 2014
Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden at Chaparral Park, Scottsdale
Tucson Botanical Gardens
Visit to Tucson Botanical Gardens, part 1, October 2012
Visit to Tucson Botanical Gardens, part 2, October 2012
Visit to Tucson Botanical Gardens, part 2, October 2012
CALIFORNIA
Cornerstone Sonoma, Sonoma
Cornerstone Sonoma showcases conceptual gardens in scenic wine country, August 2017
Edibles, outdoor living, and more at Sunset Gardens at Cornerstone Sonoma, August 2017
Edibles, outdoor living, and more at Sunset Gardens at Cornerstone Sonoma, August 2017
Filoli, Woodside (near San Francisco)
The Huntington Gardens, San Marino (near Los Angeles)
Lotusland, Santa Barbara
Visit to Lotusland, part 1: Theatre Garden, lotus pond, & Japanese Garden, June 2013
Visit to Lotusland, part 2: House Garden with cactus and euphorbia, June 2013
Visit to Lotusland, part 3: Aloe pool, Blue Garden & Bromeliad Garden, June 2013
Visit to Lotusland, part 4: Rear terrace, parterre & lemon arbor, June 2013
Visit to Lotusland, part 5: Cactus Garden, June 2013
Visit to Lotusland, part 2: House Garden with cactus and euphorbia, June 2013
Visit to Lotusland, part 3: Aloe pool, Blue Garden & Bromeliad Garden, June 2013
Visit to Lotusland, part 4: Rear terrace, parterre & lemon arbor, June 2013
Visit to Lotusland, part 5: Cactus Garden, June 2013
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Ft. Bragg
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens: Colorful perennial and heather gardens, August 2017
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, part 2: Succulents, Ocean Trail, and Dahlia Garden, August 2017
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, part 2: Succulents, Ocean Trail, and Dahlia Garden, August 2017
The Ruth Bancroft Garden, Walnut Creek (near San Francisco)
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
COLORADO
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Vail
Denver Botanic Gardens
Sun-Drenched Perennial Borders, July 2012
Grasses & Cholla, July 2012
Romantic Garden & More, July 2012
Plains Garden, Rock Alpine Garden & Dryland Mesa, July 2012
Water-Smart Garden, Wildflower Treasures & More, July 2012
Grasses & Cholla, July 2012
Romantic Garden & More, July 2012
Plains Garden, Rock Alpine Garden & Dryland Mesa, July 2012
Water-Smart Garden, Wildflower Treasures & More, July 2012
The Gardens on Spring Creek, Fort Collins
SummerHome Garden, Denver
DELAWARE
Delaware Botanic Gardens, Dagsboro
Winterthur Garden, Wilmington
Dogwood enchantment and a wild windstorm at Winterthur Gardens, June 2016
Enchanted Woods children’s garden at Winterthur: Not your typical playground, June 2016
Enchanted Woods children’s garden at Winterthur: Not your typical playground, June 2016
FLORIDA
McKee Botanical Garden, Vero Beach
Naples Botanical Garden
ILLINOIS
Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, Chicago
Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, an oasis in Chicago, May 2009
Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, an oasis in Chicago, May 2009
Chicago Botanic Garden
Chicago Botanic Garden Wows Spring Flingers, May 2009
English Walled Garden, October 2007
Japanese Garden & Bonsai Collection, October 2007
Circle Garden, October 2007
Evening Island, October 2007
English Walled Garden, October 2007
Japanese Garden & Bonsai Collection, October 2007
Circle Garden, October 2007
Evening Island, October 2007
Lurie Garden, Chicago
LOUISIANA
Audubon Park, New Orleans
MAINE
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay
MINNESOTA
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska (near Minneapolis)
MISSOURI
Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Bedrock Gardens, Lee
A fanciful journey through art-filled Bedrock Gardens, part 1, September 2014
Dark-fantasy woodland, Asian teahouse and more at Bedrock Gardens, part 2, September 2014
Dark-fantasy woodland, Asian teahouse and more at Bedrock Gardens, part 2, September 2014
NEW MEXICO
Santa Fe Botanical Garden
NEW YORK
The High Line, New York City
Up on the High Line, a skyline promenade, October 2014
The High Line park in NYC, a skyline promenade, part 2, October 2014
The High Line park in NYC, a skyline promenade, part 2, October 2014
Innisfree, Millbrook
LongHouse Reserve, East Hampton
LongHouse Reserve weaves gardens and sculpture: Dune path, pavilion, and tropical rill, October 2021
Madoo, Sagaponack
New York Botanical Garden, New York City
Wave Hill, New York City
Visit to Wave Hill, a Hudson River estate garden in New York City, October 2014
Visit to Wave Hill in New York City, Part 2, October 2014
Visit to Wave Hill in New York City, Part 2, October 2014
NORTH CAROLINA
Biltmore House Gardens, Asheville
Revisiting Biltmore Gardens at Asheville Garden Bloggers Fling, May 2012
Visit to Biltmore House: Esplanade, Terrace & Italian Garden, June 2011
Visit to Biltmore House: Shrub Garden & Frederick Law Olmsted’s trees, June 2011
Garden Designers Roundtable: Shades of Limelight on the Garden Stage, June 2011
Visit to Biltmore House: Walled Garden & Conservatory, June 2011
Visit to Biltmore House: Esplanade, Terrace & Italian Garden, June 2011
Visit to Biltmore House: Shrub Garden & Frederick Law Olmsted’s trees, June 2011
Garden Designers Roundtable: Shades of Limelight on the Garden Stage, June 2011
Visit to Biltmore House: Walled Garden & Conservatory, June 2011
Juniper Level Botanic Garden, Raleigh
The North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville
OREGON
Lan Su Chinese Garden, Portland
Lan Su Chinese Garden, a downtown Portland oasis, August 2017
Lan Su Chinese Garden: Portland Garden Bloggers Fling, July 2014
Lan Su Chinese Garden: Portland Garden Bloggers Fling, July 2014
Portland Japanese Garden
Sunny day at Portland Japanese Garden, August 2017
Portland Japanese Garden: Portland Garden Bloggers Fling, July 2014
Portland Japanese Garden: Portland Garden Bloggers Fling, July 2014
PENNSYLVANIA
Chanticleer Garden, Wayne
Drinking up beauty in Chanticleer’s Teacup Garden, June 2016
Hot flower border, meadowy lawn at Chanticleer’s House Garden, June 2016
Up on Chanticleer’s elevated walkway and Asian Woods Garden, June 2016
Hot flower border, meadowy lawn at Chanticleer’s House Garden, June 2016
Up on Chanticleer’s elevated walkway and Asian Woods Garden, June 2016
Flowers and rich foliage at Chanticleer’s Pond Garden, June 2016
Leaves of sunshine and moonlight in Chanticleer’s Tennis Court Garden, June 2016
Chanticleer’s Flower and Vegetable Garden and magical Bell’s Woodland, June 2016
Chanticleer rocks a Gravel Garden, June 2016
Chanticleer’s eerie, mysterious Ruin Garden, June 2016
Twilight in Minder Woods at Chanticleer Garden, June 2016
Teacup & Tennis Court Gardens, July 2008
Hydrangeas & House Garden, July 2008
Asian Woods & Stream Garden, July 2008
Pond Garden, July 2008
Ruin & Gravel Garden, July 2008
Cut Flower & Vegetable Garden, July 2008
Leaves of sunshine and moonlight in Chanticleer’s Tennis Court Garden, June 2016
Chanticleer’s Flower and Vegetable Garden and magical Bell’s Woodland, June 2016
Chanticleer rocks a Gravel Garden, June 2016
Chanticleer’s eerie, mysterious Ruin Garden, June 2016
Twilight in Minder Woods at Chanticleer Garden, June 2016
Teacup & Tennis Court Gardens, July 2008
Hydrangeas & House Garden, July 2008
Asian Woods & Stream Garden, July 2008
Pond Garden, July 2008
Ruin & Gravel Garden, July 2008
Cut Flower & Vegetable Garden, July 2008
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square
Rambler roses and dancing water: Formal gardens at Longwood Gardens, June 2016
Those who play in glass houses: Conservatory and Indoor Children’s Garden, June 2016
Meadow views and fantasy treehouses at Longwood Gardens, June 2016
Those who play in glass houses: Conservatory and Indoor Children’s Garden, June 2016
Meadow views and fantasy treehouses at Longwood Gardens, June 2016
Paxson Hill Farm Gardens, New Hope
Stoneleigh, Villanova
TEXAS
Bayou Bend, Houston
Chandor Gardens, Weatherford
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center Botanical Garden, Fort Davis
Dallas Arboretum
Second star to the right and straight on to the pumpkin patch at Dallas Arboretum, October 2018
Pumpkins in the land of Oz at Dallas Arboretum, October 2017
Monarchs flutter into Dallas Arboretum on fall migration, October 2014
Pumpkin extravaganza at the Dallas Arboretum, October 2014
Cherry blossom bonanza at Dallas Blooms, February 2014
Gorgeous plant combos, May 2012
Chihuly glass exhibit, May 2012
Sculpture, crape myrtle allee, & Fireworks, November 2011
Fairy tale Halloween at the pumpkin patch, October 2011
February 2008, Part 1 and Part 2
Pumpkins in the land of Oz at Dallas Arboretum, October 2017
Monarchs flutter into Dallas Arboretum on fall migration, October 2014
Pumpkin extravaganza at the Dallas Arboretum, October 2014
Cherry blossom bonanza at Dallas Blooms, February 2014
Gorgeous plant combos, May 2012
Chihuly glass exhibit, May 2012
Sculpture, crape myrtle allee, & Fireworks, November 2011
Fairy tale Halloween at the pumpkin patch, October 2011
February 2008, Part 1 and Part 2
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Houston Botanic Garden
International Waterlily Collection, San Angelo
Japanese Tea Garden, San Antonio
The John Fairey Garden (formerly Peckerwood Garden), Hempstead
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin
Explore Fortlandia at the Wildflower Center, October 2018
Flowering trees and Athena the owl at the Wildflower Center, March 2018
Bluebonnets, buckeyes, and more in bloom at Wildflower Center gardens, March 2018
Spring stroll at the Wildflower Center, February 2017
Bugs and butterflies at the Wildflower Center, part 2, October 2016
Early autumn color at the Wildflower Center, part 1, October 2016
Need shade? Read my article about native vines in Wildflower, July 2016
Coneflower frenzy at Wildflower Center, June 2016
Wildflower season, owlets, and native plant sale at Wildflower Center, April 2016
Berry-eating birds flock to the Wildflower Center, February 2016
Bluebonnets already a-blue-m at the Wildflower Center, February 2016
Decked and swinging at the Wildflower Center, December 2015
Meadows abloom and a swingin’ arboretum at the Wildflower Center, April 2015
A blooming good time at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, April 2015
Birds and blooms at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, April 2015
Gorgeous weeds and walls at the Wildflower Center, March 2015
Wildflower Center aglow with the spirit of the season, December 2014
Coneflower and tower power at the Wildflower Center, June 2014
Nature Nights introduces kids to the Wildflower Center’s new Family Garden, June 2014
Wildflowers and more in bloom at the Wildflower Center, April 2014
Great horned owls on the nest at the Wildflower Center, April 2014
Interview with Luci Baines Johnson about Wildflower Center’s new Family Garden, March 2014
Winter berries, ghostly agaves, and early spring flowers at the Wildflower Center, March 2014
Blazing Indian blanket and more at the Wildflower Center, Part 3, April 2013
Bonny bluebonnets and more at the Wildflower Center, Part 2, April 2013
Blossoming spring morning at the Wildflower Center, Part 1, April 2013
Redbuds in bloom and Lawn Gone! at the Wildflower Center, March 2013
Winter into spring at the Wildflower Center, February 2013
Thankful for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center & Native Plants, November 2011
Rockin’ Demonstration Gardens at the Wildflower Center, November 2011
Children’s Garden & Edible Garden at Wildflower Center, November 2011
Great horned owl chicks growing up fast, May 2011
Great Horned Owlets Nesting at Wildflower Center, April 2011
Going to Extremes at the Wildflower Center, April 2011
Camera Practice at the Wildflower Center, September 2010
This Place I Love So Much, May 2010
Fascinating Faces at the Wildflower Center, May 2010
Stock Tank Planters Gone Wild!, May 2010
Sculpture Show Enlivens Wildflower Center in Winter, February 2010
Winter Trees at the Wildflower Center, February 2010
Garden Structure at the Wildflower Center, February 2010
Agave Love at Austin’s Wildflower Center, February 2010
Wildflower Center Blooming After the Rain, September 2009
Wildflower Center & Jill Nokes book-signing, December 2007
Winter Wonderland at the Wildflower Center, December 2006
Goblins in the Garden at the Wildflower Center, October 2006
Flowering trees and Athena the owl at the Wildflower Center, March 2018
Bluebonnets, buckeyes, and more in bloom at Wildflower Center gardens, March 2018
Spring stroll at the Wildflower Center, February 2017
Bugs and butterflies at the Wildflower Center, part 2, October 2016
Early autumn color at the Wildflower Center, part 1, October 2016
Need shade? Read my article about native vines in Wildflower, July 2016
Coneflower frenzy at Wildflower Center, June 2016
Wildflower season, owlets, and native plant sale at Wildflower Center, April 2016
Berry-eating birds flock to the Wildflower Center, February 2016
Bluebonnets already a-blue-m at the Wildflower Center, February 2016
Decked and swinging at the Wildflower Center, December 2015
Meadows abloom and a swingin’ arboretum at the Wildflower Center, April 2015
A blooming good time at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, April 2015
Birds and blooms at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, April 2015
Gorgeous weeds and walls at the Wildflower Center, March 2015
Wildflower Center aglow with the spirit of the season, December 2014
Coneflower and tower power at the Wildflower Center, June 2014
Nature Nights introduces kids to the Wildflower Center’s new Family Garden, June 2014
Wildflowers and more in bloom at the Wildflower Center, April 2014
Great horned owls on the nest at the Wildflower Center, April 2014
Interview with Luci Baines Johnson about Wildflower Center’s new Family Garden, March 2014
Winter berries, ghostly agaves, and early spring flowers at the Wildflower Center, March 2014
Blazing Indian blanket and more at the Wildflower Center, Part 3, April 2013
Bonny bluebonnets and more at the Wildflower Center, Part 2, April 2013
Blossoming spring morning at the Wildflower Center, Part 1, April 2013
Redbuds in bloom and Lawn Gone! at the Wildflower Center, March 2013
Winter into spring at the Wildflower Center, February 2013
Thankful for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center & Native Plants, November 2011
Rockin’ Demonstration Gardens at the Wildflower Center, November 2011
Children’s Garden & Edible Garden at Wildflower Center, November 2011
Great horned owl chicks growing up fast, May 2011
Great Horned Owlets Nesting at Wildflower Center, April 2011
Going to Extremes at the Wildflower Center, April 2011
Camera Practice at the Wildflower Center, September 2010
This Place I Love So Much, May 2010
Fascinating Faces at the Wildflower Center, May 2010
Stock Tank Planters Gone Wild!, May 2010
Sculpture Show Enlivens Wildflower Center in Winter, February 2010
Winter Trees at the Wildflower Center, February 2010
Garden Structure at the Wildflower Center, February 2010
Agave Love at Austin’s Wildflower Center, February 2010
Wildflower Center Blooming After the Rain, September 2009
Wildflower Center & Jill Nokes book-signing, December 2007
Winter Wonderland at the Wildflower Center, December 2006
Goblins in the Garden at the Wildflower Center, October 2006
Mercer Botanic Gardens, Humble
Native Texas Park, Dallas
Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen
Rollingwood City Hall Waterwise Garden, Austin
Blowsy autumn beauty at Rollingwood Waterwise Garden, November 2015
Going waterwise at Rollingwood City Hall, April 2015
Going waterwise at Rollingwood City Hall, April 2015
San Antonio Botanical Garden
Food for people and butterflies in San Antonio Botanical Garden’s culinary and entry gardens, October 2018
Play outdoors in magical Family Adventure Garden at San Antonio Botanical Garden, October 2018
More butterflies and Halloween scarecrows at San Antonio Botanical Garden, October 2018
Spring color and edibles at San Antonio Botanical Garden, March 2013
Blogger Field Trip, November 2009
Visit to SABG, September 2007
Watersaver Lane, September 2007
Play outdoors in magical Family Adventure Garden at San Antonio Botanical Garden, October 2018
More butterflies and Halloween scarecrows at San Antonio Botanical Garden, October 2018
Spring color and edibles at San Antonio Botanical Garden, March 2013
Blogger Field Trip, November 2009
Visit to SABG, September 2007
Watersaver Lane, September 2007
Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, Orange
Zilker Botanical Garden, Austin
Hartman Prehistoric Garden, November 2015, March 2011, and October 2007
Taniguchi Japanese Garden, November 2015, April 2011, and November 2007
Zilker Garden, November 2015, April 2011, and October 2007
Azaleas in bloom at Zilker Botanical Garden, March 2011
Taniguchi Japanese Garden, November 2015, April 2011, and November 2007
Zilker Garden, November 2015, April 2011, and October 2007
Azaleas in bloom at Zilker Botanical Garden, March 2011
UTAH
Red Hills Desert Garden, St. George
WASHINGTON
Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island
Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle
Heronswood, Kingston
Lakewold Gardens, Lakewood
Pacific Bonsai Museum, Federal Way
Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, Federal Way
Seattle Japanese Garden
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Hillwood Estate and Gardens
Smithsonian Gardens, National Mall
U.S. Botanic Garden
WISCONSIN
Allen Centennial Garden, Madison
Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison
Monday Morning Butterflies, September 2010
Curly Willow Hideaway, September 2010
Favorite Scenes, September 2010
Fall Grasses, September 2010
Tropicals & More, September 2010
Thai Sala, September 2010
Intimate Views, September 2010
Curly Willow Hideaway, September 2010
Favorite Scenes, September 2010
Fall Grasses, September 2010
Tropicals & More, September 2010
Thai Sala, September 2010
Intimate Views, September 2010
CANADA
Toronto Botanical Garden, Toronto, Ontario
ENGLAND
Barnsley House, Rosemary Verey’s garden, Barnsley
Great Dixter, Sussex
Close encounters of the plant kind at Great Dixter garden, part 1, June 2018
Topiary meadow and sunken pond garden at Great Dixter, part 2, June 2018
Topiary meadow and sunken pond garden at Great Dixter, part 2, June 2018
Kew Gardens, London
Flower power at Kew Gardens: Perennial borders and rose garden, June 2018
The buzz at Kew: The Hive and its pollinator-attracting meadow, June 2018
Rock stars at Kew: Alpine House rockery and dry garden, June 2018
Kew Gardens walkabout: Mediterranean Garden, Treetop Walkway, and more, June 2018
The buzz at Kew: The Hive and its pollinator-attracting meadow, June 2018
Rock stars at Kew: Alpine House rockery and dry garden, June 2018
Kew Gardens walkabout: Mediterranean Garden, Treetop Walkway, and more, June 2018
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, part 1: Walls and roses in the English countryside, June 2018
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, part 2: White Garden, meadow, and tower views, June 2018
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, part 2: White Garden, meadow, and tower views, June 2018
FRANCE
Château d’Ambleville, Val-d’Oise
Jardin botanique du Parc de la Tête d’Or, Lyon
Monet’s Garden, Giverny
MEXICO
Bosque de Chapultepec Jardín Botánico, Mexico City