5 Gardens We Love to Learn In
British horticulturalist Gertrude Jekyll once said, “A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.” Whether you have a green thumb or simply love the serenity of walking through a beautiful garden, we think you’ll be inspired by these special landscapes around the world.
1. International Rose Test Garden
Founded in 1917 as a testing ground for new rose varieties, you’ll be wowed by more than 610 varieties of roses (some 10,000 blooms at peak season) as you enjoy the view of downtown Portland — the City of Roses — in the background.
See this garden on Signature City Portland.
2. Butchart Gardens
Robert and Jennie Butchart planted their now-renowned garden on a former cement plant more than 120 years ago. This 55-acre gem in British Columbia is a National Historic Site of Canada and is an incredible palette of color in nearly any season.
See this garden on Victoria and Vancouver: Glorious West Coast Gardens.
3. Fujita Memorial Garden
A true Japanese landscape garden — complete with a red arched bridge and waterfall — the Fujita Memorial Garden was constructed in 1919 by architects under the supervision of Hirosaki native Fujita Kenichi. A trip here offers views of Mount Iwaki, along with stunning cherry blossoms and azaleas depending on the season.
See this garden on Northern Japan: Ancient History and Scenic Beauty.
4. Biltmore Estate
How do you create a show-stopping garden? George Vanderbilt hired famed landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted to build his. This resulted in the Biltmore Estate’s 8,000 acres that include six gardens, a conservatory, nature trails and woodlands.
See this garden on A Gardener’s Delight: The Private & Public Landscapes of Asheville.
5. Bermuda Botanical Gardens
Bermuda’s largest public garden is also a National Park, protecting its unique collection of trees, Japanese Zen Garden, children’s maze garden and more. It is also home to the Sensory Garden for the Blind, a garden known for its aromatic herbs, trickling water feature and braille signage that allows sightless visitors to explore independently.
See this garden on Bermuda Unveiled: Historic Forts, Secret Gardens & More!
For more learning adventures in gardens and in nature, visit our website.