Gardeners’ Bucket List

21 December 2009 by Marilyn.

One of the crucial planning steps for any garden lover’s trip is to conduct an internet search to locate gardens of interest at the destination and along the route. Right? At least that’s what it seems I typically do before leaving home for a trip anywhere, whether it be garden-related or not. A search for botanical gardens in or near a city will often yield interesting options. Fall and spring are my preferred travel seasons for visiting gardens and it would be most interesting to know what your recommendations are for any particular destination, whether it be near or far.

Being a Native Texan who moved back here after a very long absence, one of my personal goals is to see as much of Texas as possible, especially anything of horticultural interest. I don’t plan to put this off, thinking I’ll get to it later, since that approach never quite worked out in the other places where we’ve lived.

Please tell us your top picks for gardens to visit and why…inside or outside of Texas. Let’s start the Gardeners’ Bucket List. Some of the suggestions might even become great Master Gardener field trip ideas!

OK, I’ll start the list with 3 of my own suggestions, in no particular order. My affinity for the Northwest mandates throwing in at least one garden there.

Fort Worth Botanic Garden - Home to one of the most outstanding Japanese Gardens I’ve ever seen and absolutely gorgeous and peaceful in both spring and fall. Spring is my favorite time to visit. Can’t you just visualize all of those brilliantly colored Japanese Maples? Great variety of interesting hardscapes, too. The Botanic Garden is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year! There are beautiful rose gardens, perennial gardens, trial gardens, and a fragrance garden, as well as other gardens to delight the senses. The Texas Native Forest Boardwalk displays trees both native and non-native to Texas – natives on one side of the walkway and non-natives on the opposite side. This would be a fantastic Master Gardener field trip destination.
Dallas Arboretum – Located on the shore of White Rock Lake and beautiful in any season, it’s especially nice in spring and fall since it’s so hot in the summer. If you’re going to visit the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, this is just a short drive away, though I wouldn’t suggest trying to visit both in the same day if you want to truly savor each garden or if it’s your first visit. Incredible variety of plants and many themed events throughout the year. Excellent lunch at the DeGolyer Garden Cafe, too! Since the 2010 Texas Master Gardener Conference will be held in Dallas, this is a must see and is always worth a return visit.
Butchart Gardens in Victoria, B.C. - Privately owned, so there are no plant labels - which can frustrate inquisitive gardeners - but a booklet containing all of the necessary descriptive details is provided. Words can’t possibly do justice to this garden, but if you’re going to the Northwest, it is worth any effort to get there. Summer is a wonderful time to visit, but I hear that the bulb display in the springtime is equally fabulous. Even the recycling and trash containers have plantings on top of them! The enormous sunken garden was planted in what was once a huge limestone quarry and it’s so amazing to think that nothing was there before it was partially filled in with tons of soil. Butchart Gardens is 105 years old!

What are your favorite gardens that you either have visited or would like to visit? Why do you recommend them? Have you been to any of the gardens mentioned and do you agree that they are extraordinary gardens to visit? What time of year is best to visit your recommended destinations? Please share your thoughts! Together, we can create a superb Gardeners’ Bucket List!

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