As winter fades into memory, we’ve compiled this list of some of the best botanical gardens and arboretums in North America to help you shake of the blue season for the bloom of Spring.
Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
A good option for when Winter seems to hang on into Spring is the Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens in Columbus, Ohio. Constructed in 1895, Franklin Park’s iconic greenhouses offer a respite from the colder temperatures, containing over 400 different plant species and biomes showcasing varied global climate zones. Not only is this a must for any green thumb, but art enthusiasts will appreciate the Dale Chihuly artworks on display as well!
United States National Arboretum
Founded in 1927, The United States National Arboretum is an emerald jewel in the heart of the nation’s capital. The arboretum sits 2 miles from the US Capital building on 446 acres and is operated by the United States Department of Agriculture. It features some of the smallest trees in the world – bonsai trees which includes in its collection a bonsai Persimmon that was gifted to President Ronald Reagan in 1983 by the King of Morocco. While a major draw for tourists visiting the District of Columbia, the Arboretum is also an important botanical research center.
Arnold Arboretum
Located in Boston, Massachusetts neighborhoods of Jamaica Plain and Roslindale, the Arnold Arboretum was founded in 1872 by the President of Harvard. Still a part of the famed Ivy league school, the arboretum plays an important role in educating local school children through lectures, courses and walking tours. The Arnold Arboretum is the second largest link in the “Emerald Necklace” of Boston.
Butchart Gardens
Featured already on the Jonathan Paul® Fitovers blog, Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia is 55 acres of beauty. Designated a Historic Site of Canada, the gardens are part of the estate of Robert Butchart who earned his fortune manufacturing Portland Cement. The Sunken Garden, pictured above, is actually an exhausted limestone mine!
McBryde Garden
Oh to be on the warm Hawaiian island of Kauai and visiting the lush McBryde Gardens! Nestled in the verdant Lawai Valley, the McBryde Gardens are part of the National Tropical Botantical Garden, a park established by Congress that resides across the chain of islands.
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