Turn any trip into a ‘Gardening Vacation’!
I just returned from a week’s vacation in Waikiki, Hawaii. Lucky me! One of the first things I do when planning a trip is find out if there are any public gardens, botanical gardens, or arboretums in the area I’ll be visiting. Making time to visit these venues when traveling is a great way to really connect to the culture and beauty of your destination. Whether it’s the stunning tropical beauty of Hawaii or the adaptability of native plants in the dry climate of Catalina Island, California, there’s beauty and an opportunity to appreciate the wonder of nature in every locale.
How to Find Public Gardens
- Google – I always start my search by ‘googling’ public gardens or botanical gardens in the city I’m visiting to see what comes up.
- Trip Advisor – Once I see what suggestions Google comes up with, I go to Trip Advisor and see what reviews they have for the gardens I’m considering visiting.
- Google Maps – Once at my vacation destination, I use Google Maps to input the names of the gardens I’m considering to see how far they are from my hotel. This helps plan the trip’s itinerary so everyone gets to see their favorite sights!
Lyon Arboretum, University of Hawaii at Manoa
If you go to Honolulu or Waikiki on Oahu, the Lyon Arboretum is definitely worth a visit (only 5 miles from Waikiki). It contains not only Hawaiian plant beauties, but tropical specimens from around the world. Its almost 200 acres contain over 7 miles of hiking trails, one of which leads to a little waterfall. Here’s a few of the beauties that were blooming when I visited.
Rose of Siam
I visited your home on the Heard’s Garden Tour. You had a fernlike plant on the driveway side of your home. It was on the blackish side. You were going to check the tag for me, and send me the info. Have you found the info? I am in the process of replanting that area in my garden.
Thanks
Pat Snyder
Sadly, it appears I did not save the tag. So sorry!