Our Favorite Gardens Across The Globe
From huge tourist attractions such as Central Park in NYC to the massive Hyde Park which sits across the pond in London, England, there are thousands of world-class gardens that will not only take your breath away when it comes to their beauty, but also makes for a great excuse to step outside and get some fresh air on the cheap.
In today’s post, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite gardens from all corners of the globe. We’ve managed to cover 6 continents here (I’m afraid Antarctica came up a little short when it came to greenery) so, if you’ve not already, see if you add in a visit to one of these glorious gardens on your next vacation or family day out.
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Butchart Gardens
Located in the picturesque province of British Columbia, Butchart Gardens are a highlight for anyone visiting Vancouver Island. It’s located just outside of the capital of Victoria and, throughout its 55 acres, showcases what around a century of development and maintenance looks like.
Be sure to visit on a day where there’s not a cloud in the sky to really let the colors of all the blooms pop. Alternatively, fall is also a great time to visit as you’ll see the greens transform into bright yellows and deep reds as the season changes.
Alice Springs Desert Park
What I love about Alice Springs Desert Park is that it’s not your typical garden. I’m a huge fan of desert landscapes and think they’re the perfect setting to capture awesome photography. Alongside this, despite being quite the horticulturalist, it still blows my mind that plants can look so lush in such a baron environment. As you explore this beautiful desert park, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the native Aboriginal people, their culture and their connection with the land here. You’re also likely to spot birds of prey ad endangered species that are native to the area.
Monteverde Cloud Reserve
Monteverde Cloud Reserve is spread over 10,000 hectares and is home to over 50% of Costa Rica’s biodiversity. It’s recommended by Luciana Monzon of MONEDEROsmart, who is a Costa Rican native, currently based in the US. “Cloud forests like the one in Monteverde have something mysterious about them, which is what makes them so beautiful, in my opinion,” she says. “Growing up just outside of the area meant that my family and I spent many vacations under the canopy of the rainforest growing up. It’s home to some of South America’s most spectacular birds and plant life and should be on everyone’s bucket list” she continues.
Spring Gardens Keukenhof
If you find yourself wandering Europe in the springtime, a trip to the Spring Gardens Keukenhof in the Netherlands is not to be overlooked. Usually opening on the first day of spring (March 21), the gardens stay open for around 8 weeks attracting over 1 million visitors in such a short time. The great thing about the garden is that it’s a community effort. Over 100 bulb growers supply 7 million bulbs to the park, which has been around since the mid-1800s. Not only is it spectacular to walk around, but it also boasts a great history and makes for some pretty perfect Instagram shots.
Topiary Garden at Levens Hall
If you have a passion for Topiary and want to visit the oldest Topiary Garden in the world, then Levens Hall is your spot. The house and gardens are a privately owned establishment set on 9500 acres of land which has a rich history dating back to 1690. What’s great about this particular garden is you’ll often see the gardeners busy working on their masterpiece, and are always up for a chat with a garden enthusiast such as the people who read this blog. They also hold an event on Tuesdays at 2 pm where one of the more senior gardeners on site tells you a little bit about the history and their role there. The wildflower meadows here are particularly stunning and there’s some great fishing right across the street on the River Kent.
Gardens of Versailles
The whole estate of the Palace of Versailles will have you in awe, but the gardens are something that particularly catches my eye. The gardens were commissioned back in the 1600s by King Louis XIV and it is estimated that the project took around 40 years to complete. It’s reported that to remain looking it’s best the gardens are replanted every 100 years. The last replant took place in 1999 which means today, you can stroll around gardens that look as good as they did back when King Louis XIV was around to appreciate them.
Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden
A must-see on any Thailand itinerary is the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden. Spread over 500 hectares, this popular garden is dubbed to be one of the most beautiful in the world. It features many different sections all themed differently, yet presented immaculately; complemented by statues of animals and buildings. For something a little out of the ordinary, I recommend checking out the stone garden that is featured there.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Located in the lush area of Cape Town, South Africa, lies the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. What makes this garden one of the most noteworthy on this list is its geographical location. Sitting perfectly to the east of the famous Table Mountain. It’s set on over 500 hectares of land, 36 of which have been cultivated for your enjoyment, with the rest being designated as protected areas and it is home to several native plants and wildlife, of which you can find the information on here. Even if you spend a solid day here you’re sure not to see everything it has to offer in just one trip.
Have you been lucky enough to visit any of these gardens, or, can you recommend a hidden gem that we didn’t feature on this list? Let us know below and let’s spark up a conversation.
