Top 5 Botanical Gardens
I’ve personally visited these gardens and others. The ones that are included here are some of the best in the world and I’ve ranked them high because of the layouts, number of interesting species, overall beauty, and cost.
- The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
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Kew Gardens is over 300 acres in Richmond, England. The history of the gardens is as interesting as the huge number of species. It is even designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The glasshouse buildings are spectacular creations of the Victorian age and the Temperate House is a must see. The gardens tend to be formal, but it seems quite proper given the location and ties to the monarchy. The collection of plants is unique and diverse due to the ongoing research programs and the legacy of the British Empire. My only real complaint is the high cost of admission. - The United States Botanic Garden
Sell photos on photrade | By dcpattonThe newly renovated conservatory is composed of separate rooms which each house a different habitat (desert, jungle, etc.). The largest room offers different levels of exploration all the way from the bottom up to the canopy of the trees. Visiting the conservatory during the winter can be particularly enjoyable. Outside of the conservatory are several gardens for more exploration (look for the pitcher plants). Admission is free and access is convenient due to being located directly on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The exhibits are ever changing so it is worth visiting repeatedly.
- The Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The two previous gardens were representative of their nations, whereas this botanical gardens represents the city of Birmingham, Alabama. And a worthy garden it is. In fact, I almost ranked it at #2. The grounds are 67.5 acres and contain 25 individual gardens. Highlights include the herb terrace, Southern Living garden, wildflower garden, the conservatory, and free admission. My favorite is the bog garden. Situated in the deep south, this garden has a long growing season and offers a lot of outdoor interest throughout the year. And if you are looking to start your own, check out their wonderful spring and fall plant sales. - Brookside Gardens
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I’ve previously written about this garden in a previous post. This 50 acre botanical garden is part of a Montgomery Country Park in Wheaton, Maryland. I love the layout and tranquility provided amongst the chaos of the DC suburbs. Admission is free. One interesting new section is the rain garden. - The Gardens at Monticello
Thomas Jefferson built his estate on the top of a hill with breathtaking views near Charlottesville, Virginia. On his extensive grounds he meticulously designed flower gardens, vegetable gardens and fruit gardens. He experimented with a large variety of species in this laboratory and the current owners try to replicate the types of plants Jefferson planted. Not only is this garden a place of beauty it offers a wonderful view of the surrounding Piedmont area of Virginia.
[...] a gentleman from Virginia came to visit our gardens and put together a list of the Top 5 Botanical Gardens, and we made his list at [...]