Exploring botanical gardens offers a serene escape into the world of flora, combining art, history, and nature in a harmonious ensemble. Whether you are an avid gardener, a nature enthusiast, or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, visiting botanical gardens can provide a unique blend of beauty and tranquility. This guide showcases twelve must-visit botanical gardens around the world, each offering its own unique allure and reasons to be included in your travel plans.

1. Chenshan Botanical Gardens, Shanghai, China

Chenshan Botanical Gardens in Shanghai is one of the newer botanical gardens on this list, opening in 2010. It spans 207 hectares and is designed to blend scientific research with educational and recreational activities. The gardens feature a wide range of plant species native to East Asia, and their Plant Evolution Zone displays a fascinating arrangement of plant life through the geological ages.

2. Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore

Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a 161-year-old tropical garden sitting along the edge of the Orchard Road shopping district. This expansive garden is famous for its sprawling lawns, serene lakes, and National Orchid Garden, which hosts the world’s largest orchid display of over 60,000 plants and orchids. The gardens also play a vital role in conservation, with a library of dried and preserved specimens that are over 100 years old.

3. Kew Gardens, London, UK

As one of the most famous botanical gardens in the world, Kew Gardens in London is a pioneer in plant science and conservation. Spread over 300 acres, it houses the largest and most diverse botanical collections globally, including over 50,000  plants. Additionally, the iconic Palm House, a Victorian glasshouse filled with tropical rainforest plants, is a highlight. Kew’s treetop walkway, offering views above the trees, makes it a place to immerse yourself in nature’s wonders.

4. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens is a picturesque haven for relaxation and recreation with a rich history extending over 175 years. Spread over 38 hectares, it features over 8,500 plant species, tranquil lakes, and lush lawns. Highlights include the Aboriginal Heritage Walk, which offers a rich insight into the history of indigenous Australians and their relationship with the natural environment.

5. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa

Located on the slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and considered one of the world’s great botanic gardens. Dedicated to preserving the region’s unique flora, Kirstenbosch is home to over 7,000 cultivated species, including many rare and threatened species. The Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway offers an elevated view of the surrounding landscape and gardens.

6. The New York Botanical Garden, USA

Located in the Bronx, the New York Botanical Garden is an iconic living museum that’s a must-see for visitors to New York City. It spans 250 acres with over one million plants. The extensive rock garden is considered one of the most comprehensive in the U.S., and the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden is famous for its array of over 650 varieties of roses. The NYBG is a leader in plant research and conservation, providing a beautiful backdrop and a center for learning and discovery.

7. Montreal Botanical Garden, Canada

This garden is one of the most important botanical gardens in the world due to its extensive collection and facilities. Spread over 75 hectares, the Montreal Botanical Garden features ten exhibition greenhouses, over 20 thematic gardens, and more than 22,000 different plant species. Its Chinese Garden is stocked with plants that are traditional to the art of penjing. Additionally, its Japanese Garden features a serene landscape influenced by Zen aesthetics.

8. Jardin Botanico de Bogota, Colombia

Jose Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden is the largest botanical garden in Colombia, dedicated to research, conservation, and education. It is known for its collection of native flora, particularly its orchid house, which houses many species of Colombian orchids. The garden is a green oasis in the heart of Bogota and offers a variety of environmental education programs.

9. Butchart Gardens, British Columbia, Canada

Butchart Gardens are privately owned floral display gardens famous for their impressive floral displays. Located in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, the garden offers 55 acres of wonderful floral display that changes with the seasons. The Sunken Garden, originally a limestone quarry, is especially spectacular.

10. Denver Botanic Gardens, USA

Located in Colorado, the Denver Botanic Gardens are known for their collection of plants from cold temperate climates around the world. Plus, their pioneering work in alpine flora research is a highlight of this destination. The garden’s Japanese Garden, Shofu-en, are also noteworthy. Similarly, the innovative water conservation practices and xeriscape demonstrations make it a leader in ecological gardening.

11. Claude Monet’s Garden at Giverny, France

No list of gardens would be complete without mentioning Claude Monet’s Garden at Giverny. Famous for inspiring many of his paintings, this garden is a testament to Monet’s passion for gardening and the arts. The close link between the garden and his work offers a unique insight into the history of one of the world’s most famous painters.

12. Villa d’Este, Tivoli, Italy

The Renaissance gardens of Villa d’Este are famous for their elaborate Italian Renaissance gardens and extensive use of fountains. The garden’s iconic design and hundreds of fountains create a stunning visual experience. Also, the design reflects the grandeur of its period, making it a masterpiece of Italian garden landscaping.

Make Plans to Visit These Beautiful Botanical Gardens Today!

Overall, visiting these botanical gardens not only provides a feast for the eyes but also enriches the soul. They offer tranquility and a deeper appreciation for the complexity and beauty of plant life. Plus, each garden, with its unique characteristics and collections, promises a memorable experience unlike any other that is sure to ignite a passion for nature and travel.

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This past week, my partner and I stayed at an Airbnb with a beautiful backyard garden. We chose it because it was dog friendly and our dogs were the entire reason that we were going there. But, of course, the garden itself was a nice added bonus. And I realized while I was there that sometimes it’s really nice to enjoy someone else’s garden rather than sitting in your own.

Why We Took Our Airbnb Garden Trip

My pup just had CCL surgery, which means that she is on sedatives and not supposed to walk around. Her full recovery time is about ten weeks. However, those first days are, of course the toughest ones. We live in an apartment up two flights of stairs, and neither one of us wanted to deal with the headache and hassle of taking her up those stairs immediately after surgery. Instead, we wanted a place to stay where she could easily walk out the door into a yard and do her business and go right back in, no stars necessary. That’s why we got an Airbnb for a few days.

We chose the Airbnb because it was a home that didn’t just say “dogs allowed” but actually really welcomed dogs. There’s a difference. Especially when you have two dogs and the smaller one is 80 pounds. The one who had surgery is 108 pounds. If you were wondering why we weren’t ready to carry her upstairs, that probably explains it. We communicated with the homeowners in advance and throughout the stay. They were generous with their space and great about our dogs. It was a wonderful experience.

We stayed in a small studio guesthouse without a real kitchen which ended up just perfect because there wasn’t a lot of space for the dog to try to move around while she was supposed to be resting. There was a regular door as well as a double sliding door. That was perfect. With the cone of shame on her head, she could still walk easily through the door, off onto the porch, get some fresh air and do her business.

The Garden at the Airbnb

What was perfect about this garden was that it was lush and beautiful … but it wasn’t perfectly manicured. In other words, if my dogs trampled it a little bit, which my dogs do, nobody was going to complain. That’s exactly the kind of garden that we needed.

The backyard consisted of a ground level and then a small set of stairs up to a slight upper level. On the upper level sat a wooden swing. The garden included plants throughout both levels. From the upper level, a perimeter of plants extended around much of the yard against the fence.

There were a variety of different plants and trees in this garden. I honestly didn’t look closely enough at most of them to identify them. I was in a state of wanting to just receive the overall impress and indulge in that beauty and sensation. In other words, I didn’t want to think about it too much. And it was a beautiful, peaceful garden, so I didn’t need to.

There were also a lot of extra decor items in the garden. Wind chimes hung in trees and off of the patio. I adore wind chimes so that was particularly delightful. Statues, fountains, trellis, potted plants, and other decor added to the space. It was all perfect.

The Pleasures of Another Person’s Garden

What was particularly great about enjoying this garden is it’s the kind of space that I like but I probably wouldn’t create myself. We all have different styles and sometimes we just don’t think about doing things the way that someone else might do them. When we spend time in those other spaces, we get inspiration. Sometimes we use that inspiration to make changes in our own space. Sometimes we just delight in the differences while we’re in the other space. Either way, it’s a beautiful experience.

Indulging, Enjoying, Without Working

The best part of enjoying someone else’s garden for just a short period of time is that there’s no work to be done there. Yes, working in the garden can be meditative and enjoyable. But sometimes you just want to rest and indulge in what the garden has to offer without having to do any work. At least, I do. Do you?

If I’m in my own space, I always see the flaws, the imperfections, the little things that still need to be taken care of. Even if I’m just relaxing in the space and overall not feeling the need to “work” in it, it’s still a little nagging thing in the back of my mind. This could be watered, that could be swept up, this needs to be planted … It’s hard to look at your own space without thinking of what there is to be done. At least, it is hard for me. Is it hard for you?

However, I don’t have any of those judgments in another person’s space. I simply enjoy what is there to be enjoyed. I’m more in the moment. The birds were chirping, the squirrels were scurrying, the leaves were fluttering … and I didn’t feel any particular need to do anything, fix anything, water anything, trim anything. I could simply mindfully take in all of the details of the space without any obligation or desire to do anything more than exactly that.

Other Pleasures of Another’s Garden

Some of the other things that are great about spending time enjoying someone’s garden other than your own might include:

• Bonding with the person whose garden it is, celebrating their space with them
• Enjoying seeing and even learning about plants that differ from those in your own space, especially if you’ve traveled far from home to someone else’s garden
• Likewise, enjoying plants that you would never plant yourself – flowers if you’re a vegetable gardener, for example, or vice versa
• And finally, returning home to your own garden with a completely different perspective and appreciation for it

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