Ace of Spades HQ

March 23, 2014

Sunday Travel Thread: Botanic Gardens [Y-not]
— Open Blogger

Greetings traveling morons! Welcome to your Sunday travel thread. TodayÂ’s thread is brought to you by Â“Safety, 80s style!Â”:

Inspired by my recent jaunt to Las Vegas, I thought IÂ’d use this weekÂ’s thread to talk about...
...botanic gardens!

Â“Whaaaat?Â”, you say. ItÂ’s true! While looking for a break from the moron(ette) lifestyle, I visited Springs Preserve, a complex of botanical gardens and museums a few short miles from the Las Vegas Strip. What can I say? I like that sort of thing. Maybe some of you do, too.

First a brief report on the Springs Preserve. Although I went there to check out the botanical gardens, the preserve actually encompasses several types of activities. There are the gardens, a museum called Â“OrigenÂ” (which was featuring a Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit while we were there), an outdoor amphitheater, a solar power living laboratory, a playground, and the Nevada State Museum. The latter is not technically part of the Springs Preserve. It was closed while we were there and, I think, requires separate admission. Speaking of which, the admission fee for the preserve complex is pretty high, $19 for adults, with discounts for kids (5-17), students, and seniors (65+).

In terms of the botanical gardens that IÂ’ve visited, Springs is not the best, but itÂ’s not the worst, either. If I lived there, I would certainly become a member and visit it regularly, in large part because I really enjoy desert plants and landscapes. The gardens themselves are rather small, but the pathways are designed in such a way that they Â“feelÂ” somewhat bigger. I liked how there were plenty of places to touch down and sit (or even picnic), but I was not a fan of the music they were piping into the outdoor spaces Â– IÂ’d have much rather listened to the birds chattering away. Nevertheless, if youÂ’re in Vegas and you want to have some down time and/or you have kids in tow and want a safe place for them to play and run around, IÂ’d recommend Springs.

OK, on to the main topic, what botanical gardens do you recommend for a visit? Which ones are worth traveling some distance to see and which are only worth a visit if youÂ’re in the area? To get us started, hereÂ’s a list of the Best Botanical Gardens in the US via The Travel Channel. I like this list because it seems to survey the entire U.S., so there should be something from every region of the country. (They use that highly annoying slide format, so IÂ’ve put their list here with links for your convenience.)

Missouri Botanical Garden - St. Louis, Missouri
Known for Â“a 14-acre Japanese gardenÂ… and one of the world's largest collections of rare and endangered orchids.Â”
Admission: $8 adults (ages 13 & over); Discounts for children and county residents

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden - Richmond, Virginia
Known for Â“stunning classical domed conservatory houses an orchid collection as well as an annual butterfly exhibit (Memorial Day Weekend through mid-October).Â”
Admission: $11 (discounts for kids, seniors, and winter season)

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens - Columbus, Ohio
Known for large greenhouses (allowing year-round visits) and a glassblowing exhibit.
Admission: $12 (discounts for kids, seniors, and students)

**Their website is currently down, but the link does go to the proper URL. HereÂ’s an alternate link to use in the meantime: http://www.experiencecolumbus.com/columbus-ohio.cfm/Attractions-Parks,-Gardens-Farms/Franklin-Park-Conservatory-and-Botanical-Gardens/id/5571**

The Franklin Park Conservatory is currently hosting an exhibit by artist Bruce Munro.

Desert Botanical Garden - Phoenix, Arizona
Known for its emphasis on desert plants (over 50,000), including many rare species, in 145 acres. Currently featuring an exhibit of Chihuly glass.
Admission: $22 (discounts for seniors, kids, and students)

IÂ’ve been to this one and although I love desert landscapes and plant-life, it is not my favorite garden in the southwest. I prefer the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, in Tucson. The latter is more of a natural landscape and includes some native animals as well. My recollection is that the drive out to the Â“museumÂ” is somewhat harrowing and takes you through some interesting country, including a small funky mountain town.

I also really like the Red Butte Gardens on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City. Very nicely done, medium-sized gardens with a stunning view of the Salt Lake valley. There is also an outdoor amphitheater where concerts are held in the summer.

ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Known for Â“a Japanese garden designed by noted landscape architect Toru Tanaka and a childrenÂ’s garden guarded by a 14-foot topiary dragon. The BioPark also includes a zoo and aquarium.Â”
Admission: $12.50 (discounts for kids and seniors)

Wow!

United States Botanic Garden - Washington, DC
Known for being Â“one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America, [it] was established by Congress in 1820.Â”
Admission: FREE

San Francisco Botanical Garden - San Francisco, California
Known for nearly 100 rare magnolias that bloom from mid-January through March, as well as a redwood grove and rare cloud forest plants.
Admission: $7 (FREE for SF County residents; discounts for kids and seniors)

Atlanta Botanical Garden Â– Atlanta, Georgia
Known for Â“a 600 foot-long canopy walk among the branches of oaks, hickories and poplars,Â” as well as spectacular displays of Â“native azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas, perennials and bulbs.Â”
Admission: $18.95 (discount for kids)

New York Botanical Garden - New York City, NY
Known for historic Victorian greenhouses and a train show each winter.
Admission: Incredibly complicated pricing, depending on when you visit and what you want to see. I was too annoyed to figure it out!

Chicago Botanic Garden Â– Chicago, Illinois (actually, the gardens are in Glencoe, a northern suburb of Chicago that I think is accessible by rail)
Known for an amazing display of bonsai. ItÂ’s also one of the largest gardens in the country.
Admission: FREE but there is a parking fee of $25 per car (discounts for seniors and Cook County residents)

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden - Coral Gables, Florida
Known for rare exotic fruit species and an amazing butterfly conservatory.
Admission: $25 (discounts for kids and seniors)

Zebra butterfly on firebush

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden - Dallas, Texas
Known for the largest Spring flower festival in the Southwest and a pumpkin village display each Fall.
Admission: $15 (discounts for kids and seniors)

Amazing pumpkin exhibit

So that concludes the Travel ChannelÂ’s list. Which botanical gardens do you like best?

How about outside the U.S.? IÂ’ve only been to a handful outside the continental U.S., in Hawaii, Canada, and Germany. Of those, the one I liked the best was probably Stanley Park in Vancouver, B.C. Although not strictly a botanical garden, it is a truly amazing old-growth forest in the city. ItÂ’s a must-visit if you are ever in the area.

To wrap up our 80s themed travel thread, here are the B52s performing Â“RoamÂ” (which came out in January 1990):

Posted by: Open Blogger at 02:37 PM | Comments (122)
Post contains 1159 words, total size 10 kb.

1 In the 1980s my mullet doubled as a flotation device.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at March 23, 2014 02:40 PM (oFCZn)

2 Have at it!

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 02:40 PM (zDsvJ)

3 So. After a week of catching nothing with 2 different traps and 3 types of bait, we filled in the hole under my porch. And low and behold something had tried to dig it out again. They stopped when they hit the new dirt under the porch itself, leaving just a crater looking thing (rather than a burrow.) I filled it back in and put a brick on top of it. Looks like I have to call someone (since I sure as hell can't trap it.) Meanwhile, While helping me fill in the hole, my friend stepped on my young rosebush that had been trimmed into dormancy and broke the main stem. I was pissed, but this was the bush with the Rosaria virus anyway, so it was on borrowed time. The wife and I are going to go buy a new bare root rose next weekend from Lowes and replace it. While I know knockouts are nice, we really loved the red hybrid tea rose that we're replacing, so we're looking at Lowe's "Love" breed. We shall see, we shall see.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at March 23, 2014 02:41 PM (HDwDg)

4 While in those gardens you didn't happen to see my ball? It was a Titleist.

Posted by: redenzo at March 23, 2014 02:43 PM (WCnJW)

5 Lets not forget about Kalmia Gardens in beautiful downtown Hartsville.

http://www.kalmiagardens.org/about/

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 23, 2014 02:43 PM (T2V/1)

6 >>4 While in those gardens you didn't happen to see my ball? It was a Titleist. LOL! Funny you should say that. At first i was going to use a Phil Mickelson crazy shot in teh woods video for the lead-in, but I couldn't find one that I liked well enough.

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 02:45 PM (zDsvJ)

7 Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, AR. In fact, I am going this week. http://www.garvangardens.org/

Posted by: Zombie John Gotti at March 23, 2014 02:45 PM (zT0DN)

8 Hey, MoBot is up there. True story, but every time I've been there (many) the Japanese Garden has always been closed. I've never actually seen it. This includes the time I went there as part of my college botany class and got to see tons of other shit not normally open to the public. But not that damned garden.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at March 23, 2014 02:46 PM (HDwDg)

9 That Delta thing was a hoot. So was the B52's. sometimes I miss Georgia.

Posted by: Erowmero at March 23, 2014 02:48 PM (1gcFZ)

10 I got really drunk once at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. I suppose it was beautiful. I don't remember.

Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 23, 2014 02:48 PM (aDwsi)

11 Hey, that Oyster Roast Fundraiser looks fun, Vic. Ever been?

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 02:48 PM (zDsvJ)

12 11 Hey, that Oyster Roast Fundraiser looks fun, Vic. Ever been?

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 06:48 PM (zDsvJ)

No never have. My daughter got married there though and I went to that.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 23, 2014 02:50 PM (T2V/1)

13 I would add Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, PA, Hershey Gardens in Hershey, PA, Cleveland Botanical Gardens in Cleveland, OH, and Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron, OH to this list. My wife and I have been to all 4 multiple times (Except Cleveland, but we'll be back there assuredly), and they've all been well worth visiting. Phipps is the only one that's a mainly indoor place and is good for checking out during the winter months, but really any time is a good time.

Posted by: JPC at March 23, 2014 02:50 PM (Nqy9m)

14 >>10 I got really drunk once at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Y-not's Law: A really good botanical garden should have a nice restaurant and full bar. IIRC, one reason I liked the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is that it had both.

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 02:51 PM (zDsvJ)

15 >>No never have. My daughter got married there though and I went to that. Went to it and PAID for it, I expect! :-)

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 02:51 PM (zDsvJ)

16 Japanese Garden? They must put up a hell of a fight when you try and plant them..... even the little ones.

Posted by: Truck Monkey, Gruntled New Business Owner at March 23, 2014 02:53 PM (jucos)

17 Lets not forget about Kalmia Gardens in beautiful downtown Hartsville. ---------------------- I'm thinking Vic and I might be the only ones here who have spent time in Hartsville. As an aside, the description opens: "Located in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina...", which reminds me that Stephen Foster originally penned 'Way Down Upon the Pee Dee River'. Apparently he decided that 'Pee Dee' was not melodic, and searched for another southern river. He picked the Suwannee, which he had never seen, nor ever did see, as far as I know.

Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 23, 2014 02:55 PM (aDwsi)

18 @7 Wow, the photos of that Garvan Gardens are really nice. I love the woodsy section.

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 02:55 PM (zDsvJ)

19 LOVE botanic gardens! Gotta give a shout out to Meijer garden and Sculpture park in Grand Rapids Michigan. Small, but choice, garden. Extensive, impressive outdoor sculpture collection, including a modern massive execution of daVinci's horse. Took both aunts (separately) to a huge Chihuly outdoor installation about 3 years ago. Incredible.

Posted by: Sinmi on the phone at March 23, 2014 02:57 PM (QAWXP)

20 Posted by: JPC at March 23, 2014 06:50 PM Thanks for those tips. I'm pretty sure I've been to the Hershey gardens but it would've been a long time ago, so I don't remember. It's nice that there seem to be beautiful gardens throughout the country.

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 02:58 PM (zDsvJ)

21 15 Went to it and PAID for it, I expect! :-)

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 06:51 PM (zDsvJ)

Isn't that what Daddies are for?

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 23, 2014 02:59 PM (T2V/1)

22 Oh, Sinmi, that looks nice! http://www.meijergardens.org/discover/ I am a big fan of sculpture gardens as well.

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 02:59 PM (zDsvJ)

23 A brother in-law of mine lives in a St. Louis suburb and every time we visit him we go to the botanical gardens. It is truly a beautiful and tranquil place. Far the best we have ever visited.

Posted by: angel with a sword at March 23, 2014 03:00 PM (hpgw1)

24 Posted by: angel with a sword at March 23, 2014 07:00 PM (hpgw1) We also have a fairly nice zoo

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at March 23, 2014 03:01 PM (HDwDg)

25 I was kind of amazed by the wide-ranging admission prices. Clearly some of these gardens are either wholly or partially owned by the cities or counties where they're located. But even with that, there sure were quite a range of prices.

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 03:02 PM (zDsvJ)

26 I'm with you, y-not, on the ArizonaSonora Desert museum. I've been twice, and joined it because I liked it so much. I remember driving the Ford Aspire I got from RentaWreck over the pass to the garden. I hadn't driven a stick shift in years but did ok, except for when I burned rubber in the Pima Air Museum parking lot, irritating a geezer walking by. The air museum is also terrific.

Posted by: stace at March 23, 2014 03:05 PM (9PXzx)

27 Gardens are nice and all. But I prefer industrial wastelands. Fuckin greenies ruined everything for me.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 23, 2014 03:05 PM (Q8vlx)

28 Surprisingly, for a town known for its trannies and beat-downs, Wahiawa Oahu has a delightful little botanical garden: http://tinyurl.com/lrgmrte The pictures don't do it justice. Lots of big leafy foliage that seems primordial.

Posted by: All Hail Eris at March 23, 2014 03:08 PM (QBm1P)

29 I went to the Dallas Arboretum once at pumpkin time, and it's quite the spectacle. That's a large well-funded garden by the lake. They must use about a million pumpkins and gourds for that, no exaggeration. There was also a Chihuly exhibit when I went, so that was a bonus. Since I've been there, they've built a very expensive and large children's garden. I keep mentioning money because our own San Antonio Botanical garden is not nearly as well funded and has less acreage, so we have to plan "differently", with more emphasis on local culture and flora. I'm on a task force to help plan San Antonio's new children's garden. Our Botanical Garden isn't as big and spectacular, but it's nicely done, and has some excellent native plant areas and neat conservatories that Dallas doesn't have. I've been drunk at our botanical center many times, for various parties held there. Plus, they let members in the night Ft Sam shoots off the Fiesta fireworks cuz it overlooks Ft Sam. You can take lawn chairs and booze and watch the fireworks.

Posted by: stace at March 23, 2014 03:09 PM (9PXzx)

30 We like Morikama Japanese garden in Boca Raton Fla. nice display of historical development of Japanese garden aesthetic. Truly excellent restaurant.

Posted by: Sinmi on the phone at March 23, 2014 03:09 PM (QAWXP)

31 >>Posted by: stace at March 23, 2014 07:09 PM *makes note to visit stace in San Antonio sometime*

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 03:10 PM (zDsvJ)

32 Moody Gardens in Galveston has a big butterfly hall and nice botanical. Outside the US I like the small "prehistoric" garden in Singapore . They are all plants that exist today but they all look like the age of the dinosaurs fauna.

Posted by: Mr. Dave at March 23, 2014 03:10 PM (tWX+U)

33 Chavez - There is still hope: http://tinyurl.com/n23f2c3

Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 23, 2014 03:10 PM (aDwsi)

34 Hammer: i hope so. Getting really close to givin up man. Off the grid and all.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 23, 2014 03:12 PM (Q8vlx)

35 *makes note to visit stace in San Antonio sometime* Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 07:10 PM (zDsvJ) That'd be great, and as you know: not in the summer!

Posted by: stace at March 23, 2014 03:12 PM (9PXzx)

36 North Carolina Arboretum http://tinyurl.com/k98xn9n

Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 23, 2014 03:13 PM (aDwsi)

37 When in a foreign country, I most often find myself saying "Fuck off you fucking fuck" before I a get my pocket dictionary out. It's caused incidents.

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 23, 2014 03:13 PM (ZshNr)

38 >>32 Moody Gardens in Galveston has a big butterfly hall and nice botanical. Yeah, I forgot to mention that one. It is very nice.

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 03:13 PM (zDsvJ)

39 Bellingrath Gardens just south of Mobile Alabama is worth a look. Beautiful garden year round and a fantastic Christmas lights display during the season.

Posted by: TheOtherJay at March 23, 2014 03:13 PM (kSa+I)

40 Mrs. R. drags me to Longwood Gardens every year. It's really amazing around Christmas, with a great restaurant with good wine.

Posted by: redenzo at March 23, 2014 03:14 PM (WCnJW)

41 Lincoln: you da man!

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 23, 2014 03:14 PM (Q8vlx)

42 [37] I say that in NYC.

Posted by: redenzo at March 23, 2014 03:15 PM (WCnJW)

43 One son got married at Red Butte in SLC.

Also, in Alabama in the spring: Bellingrath Gardens:
http://tinyurl.com/mbytlrd

Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Bossy Redneck Queen at March 23, 2014 03:15 PM (baL2B)

44 So, stace, are the SA gardens public, private, or a mix? What sort of funding streams do you guys have? I know with the economic downturn (thank you, Obama!) it's been harder to raise money for the arts. Challenging environment.

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 03:15 PM (zDsvJ)

45 The Fort Worth Botanic Garden is lovely, and (happily) dirt cheap. There is a fee to go into the Conservatory and the Japanese Garden, but the rest is free. The Japanese garden there is small, but well-designed and has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid and still has the ability to bring serenity even at the worst of times. Hard to believe it's all right in the city, and one edge of the gardens is nearly under a freeway. http://fwbg.org/

Posted by: AngelEm at March 23, 2014 03:16 PM (bo1ZH)

46 Y-not, you should do a thread on the South Pacific some Sunday. I'd like to hear if anyone's been to the Soloman's or the Mariana's. They seem like they would be a nice tropical getaway and to get a chance to see some WW11 memorials, old air bases, ship wreaks, etc.

Posted by: lowandslow at March 23, 2014 03:16 PM (IV4od)

47 WTF Ithought this was a moron website!

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 23, 2014 03:17 PM (Q8vlx)

48 The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is the only one I've been too. I know one of the guys that shoot the deer there.

http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/

Posted by: The Hickster at March 23, 2014 03:18 PM (TI3xG)

49 Loved that 80's safety short. Shout out to Men Without Hats! And little Delta finger-waggin ginger. I was hoping for a ref to Airplane!, and there was Kareem.

Posted by: All Hail Eris at March 23, 2014 03:18 PM (QBm1P)

50 I'm glad AngelEm mentioned Fort Worth. There is so much to see there and most people never even think of Fort Worth. The stockyards area, Amon Carter museum, etc.

Posted by: Mr. Dave at March 23, 2014 03:19 PM (tWX+U)

51 There is also a very beautiful Arboretum in St Paul. The Como Park Arboretum has operated since 1873. Beautiful and cheap ($3) to enjoy. I often went there to regain some sanity in late Feb early March. Minnesota lacks green and humidity in the winter. It is enough to drive you mad.

Posted by: Truck Monkey, Gruntled New Business Owner at March 23, 2014 03:19 PM (jucos)

52 Also just outside the U.S. is the Butchart (sp?) Garden in Victoria, BC. it has 50 acres of terraced flowers. The fireworks show they have on summer nights is incredible! The local joke is that Victoria is the home of "newlyweds, nearly-deads, and flower beds."

Posted by: isophorone at March 23, 2014 03:20 PM (9+Maw)

53 I haven't read the thread yet, but I thought I'd pre-emptively plug the Louisiana State Arboretum in Ville Platte:

http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/iarbor.aspx

Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain at March 23, 2014 03:20 PM (kwc/t)

54 >>46 Y-not, you should do a thread on the South Pacific some Sunday. Sure! I'll put it on the list.

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 03:23 PM (zDsvJ)

55 I'm right near The Gardens of the American Rose Center and yet still haven't been. ars dot org if you wanna look. >>Mrs. R. drags me to Longwood Gardens every year. I miss that place.

Posted by: Mama AJ at March 23, 2014 03:24 PM (SUKHu)

56 They always say that the seat cushion can be used as a flotation device. My problem with that is if I know we are headed for a "water landing" I will first use the seat cushion as a toilet. Don't really want to use it again after that.

Posted by: Truck Monkey, Gruntled New Business Owner at March 23, 2014 03:24 PM (jucos)

57 Me too, Truck!

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 03:26 PM (zDsvJ)

58 I also have to recommend Mounts garden in Palm Beach, Fla. The airport has grown up next to it, so there's a fair amount of jet traffic. But the garden is FREE and lovely. And it is the best labelled botanical garden I have ever been in. http://mounts.org

Posted by: Sinmi on the phone at March 23, 2014 03:27 PM (QAWXP)

59 At the Dallas Arb.: >>Lula Mae Slaughter Dining Terrace

Posted by: Mama AJ at March 23, 2014 03:27 PM (SUKHu)

60 Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 07:15 PM (zDsvJ) The garden is city owned, but gets much, maybe most? of its funding from the Botanical Society 501(c)(3). We're going to raise about 1.5 mill privately for this children's garden, and it's coming in slowly, since there's a new children's museum going up, a new performing arts center, two excellent cancer centers, expanding private schools, etc--all at the same time. So there's a lot of competition for the charity dollar, and you hate to have to keep going back to the same people everyone else is asking. the good thing is that the TX economy is doing comparatively well. We just don't have the huge donor base that Houston and Dallas have, even though our economy is doing well. I utterly suck at fundraising, but the good fundraisers that I work with are trying to figure out who's making money in the EagleFord shale. There are a bunch of spankin' new millionaires out there whom we don't even know about.

Posted by: stace at March 23, 2014 03:34 PM (9PXzx)

61 The Dallas one looks nice. This is the restaurant I remember really liking at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: https://www.desertmuseum.org/visit/menu_ocotillo.php It was pricey enough that there weren't little kids running around and FULL BAR. :-)

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 03:37 PM (zDsvJ)

62 Bah, humbug!

I'll let you guys come see my botanical garden, free of charge. Just mow it on your way out....and watch out for the piles of dog poop.

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at March 23, 2014 03:38 PM (0IhFx)

63 50 I'm glad AngelEm mentioned Fort Worth. There is so much to see there and most people never even think of Fort Worth. The stockyards area, Amon Carter museum, etc. ==== Yes! Love Ft Worth. Very friendly. Better zoo and better art than Dallas. My kid always loved the Japanese garden too.

Posted by: stace at March 23, 2014 03:38 PM (9PXzx)

64 Do you have any tie-in with a university (botany department or some such), stace? That wouldn't help with the children's section, but might provide some operational support via grants.

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 03:38 PM (zDsvJ)

65 Garvan Gardens in Hot Springs is beautiful. Moody Gardens in Galveston is neat but small (the actual garden is in a glass pyramid).

Posted by: no good deed at March 23, 2014 03:39 PM (vBhbc)

66 The International Waterlily Collection in San Angelo, TX is lovely, but also small.

Posted by: no good deed at March 23, 2014 03:43 PM (vBhbc)

67 Mention was made of Stanley Park in Vancouver, B.C. Yeah, it's nice, but if you want a real taste of the Coastal Rain Forest, go to Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver, or Lynn Canyon Park in North Vancouver. Each about a half hour by car from Stanley Park. You also have Van Dusen Botanical Gardens in the southern part of the city of Vancouver, which I have never visited, although it is well regarded. And Queen Elizabeth Park, a few blocks east, has a sunken garden in an old stone quarry, with some spectacular botanical specimens. It's a popular place for wedding photos. And there is a Japanese garden at the University of B.C. And there are some very nice nature walks in the University Endowment Lands. See a natural bog and its flora, from a nice wooden walkway. There are also some very nice gardens and botanical sights to see in the Lower Fraser Valley, and across the border in Washington State in Bellingham and Lynnwood. And if you are in southwest Lousiana, Avery Island is a must-see. It's the home of Tabasco Sauce, and the factory is a marvel in its own right, and is surrounded by bayous and gardens. Very cool place.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 23, 2014 03:43 PM (yDmQD)

68 64 Do you have any tie-in with a university (botany department or some such), stace? Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 07:38 PM (zDsvJ) I don't know, but I see the development gal all the time now that I've been roped into this task force. I'll ask her. Thanks for the idea!

Posted by: stace at March 23, 2014 03:43 PM (9PXzx)

69 The Huntington Library in San Marino has extensive and beautiful gardens.

Posted by: Orchidoptera at March 23, 2014 03:48 PM (RG5hz)

70 WOOHOO! ON THAT BUSH!

Posted by: Zebra Butterfly at March 23, 2014 03:48 PM (MNq6o)

71 Oh, shit, Tingle leg's school lost! Fuck UNC

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 23, 2014 03:48 PM (0FSuD)

72 When Hollywood wants to cast a govt or corporate or institutional weasel, why is it always This Guy? James Rehborn http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0714310/ Posted by: soothsayer at September 22, 2013 Actor James Rebhorn passed. http://tinyurl.com/olyke75 1:20 for appallingly appropriate to this thread quote. Posted by: DaveA at March 23, 2014 07:44 PM

Posted by: Soothsayer, Lesbian Outreach Coordinator at March 23, 2014 03:49 PM (BAqy2)

73 I thought the Tarheels were playing Iowa State and Iowa State won.

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 03:49 PM (zDsvJ)

74 Nip Fuck UNC!

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 23, 2014 03:50 PM (Q8vlx)

75 Tingle leg's went to UNC grad school

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 23, 2014 03:51 PM (0FSuD)

76 Posted by: stace at March 23, 2014 07:43 PM (9PXzx) Oh, and not to run on too much about this money thing, but the garden is also fundraising for a new entrance, shop, cafe, classrooms etc that cost a lot more than the children's garden, so it's not just the $1.5 mill we need.

Posted by: stace at March 23, 2014 03:51 PM (9PXzx)

77 No fuck UNC-CH

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 23, 2014 03:51 PM (0FSuD)

78 I think I'd like to bring back the phrase "Outta sight!"

Posted by: Soothsayer, Lesbian Outreach Coordinator at March 23, 2014 03:51 PM (BAqy2)

79 Oh he did? I didn't realize that, Nip. I always associate him with Cow College.

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 03:52 PM (zDsvJ)

80 UNC lost? I wonder if Nick Searcy is going to flip out on Facebook? Bitter boy likes to get bitter.

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 23, 2014 03:52 PM (ZshNr)

81 Ynot That is Olberdousche

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 23, 2014 03:53 PM (Q8vlx)

82 I'm all.. Hey! I know that dragon!

There is a nice aquarium there, too. And you can take the little steam train to the zoo and back.

Posted by: Synova at March 23, 2014 03:55 PM (7/PU+)

83 D'OH! Thanks Chavez. I are stoopid.

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 03:55 PM (zDsvJ)

84 Ynot Always remember, here we are morons. Only trolls are stupid.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 23, 2014 03:58 PM (Q8vlx)

85 On the positive side, I think my confusion resulted from their being so much LESS Olby in my life these days. So that's something!

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 04:00 PM (zDsvJ)

86 there not their smh

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 04:00 PM (zDsvJ)

87 Speaking of Chavez, there's a cool video @ Weasel Zippers showing the crowds at an opposition rally yesterday. Negating CNN's propogandist reporting. Worth a look.

Posted by: NCwoof at March 23, 2014 04:00 PM (aUQgu)

88 I will see you tomorrow. Need to do some dicktateing wifey willing.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 23, 2014 04:03 PM (Q8vlx)

89 Thanks woof will check it out.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 23, 2014 04:04 PM (Q8vlx)

90 When we lived in the Bay Area we never went to the San Francisco botanical garden because that would have meant driving into the city and whenever we did go we never actually found a garden so much as a very large park. I always took the kids to Tilden Park http://www.ebparks.org/page156.aspx which has a nice little botanical garden of native plants and then we'd go up over the ridge and took the back road to go to the Berkeley Botanical Garden behind the University. It's an absolutely fabulous botanical garden.

Posted by: Synova at March 23, 2014 04:04 PM (7/PU+)

91 Speaking of travel...I saw this comment (Yahoo) re: cost of Air Force one. It has, not surprisingly, increased! So, factor in this with Moochelle's $8,000/night Westin suite in China with her family and sixty four others..apparently this little cultural spring break trip is going to cost the American tax payor over $6 millon:

"Citing a recent report in the Washington Examiner that found through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) that taxpayers are on the hook for about $228,288 per Air Force One flight hour in 2013, a 27 percent increase from the previously confirmed cost of $179,750 per fight hour that NTUF used in its last study, the taxpayer watchdog concludes that ObamaÂ’s flights have cost taxpayers more than any other president.

Â“Taken on its own, the $48,535 jump may not sound all that significant,Â” NTUF added about the cost increase for Air Force One. Â“However, when trips are many thousands of miles and span several time zones and continents, the difference can quickly add up.Â”

NTUF estimates that ObamaÂ’s trip to Europe and the Middle East Â“will likely involve about 29 hours of total travel time, assuming a cruising speed of 575 mph between Washington, Amsterdam, Brussels, Rome, and Riyadh, and then back to D.C.Â” That amount, the group says, is going to cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

Â“Using the previous estimate, the total cost of flying Air Force One between those international cities would be about $5,212,750,Â” NTUF wrote. Â“Using the new data, the cost comes out to $6,620,352.Â”

Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Bossy Redneck Queen at March 23, 2014 04:05 PM (baL2B)

92 Wow, ChristyBlinky.

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 04:06 PM (zDsvJ)

93 Soooo Stace, Saw your post in the gun thread and thought I'd mention again that I'm just up the road and have never been skeet or clay shooting before, especially in a botanical gardens (to keep it on topic 😜

. Hahaha I actually, grew up in SA and love the gardens. The gardens in Austin are meh. Shoot me an email because I MIGHT, emphasis on might, know some in SA who might be willing to make a small contribution to the BG's if she isn't already doing so. lindafell at google mail place.

Posted by: lindafell at March 23, 2014 04:08 PM (PGO8C)

94 I don't think I want to go to Caracas for Spring break. That is a lot of angry Venezuelans.

Posted by: kindletot at March 23, 2014 04:11 PM (LRUgq)

95 Hey! WTF am I invisible here? That's right I'm dead!

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 23, 2014 04:13 PM (Q8vlx)

96 Who broke the blog?

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 23, 2014 04:22 PM (Q8vlx)

97 My daughter's apt is about 4 blocks for MoBot. I've passes it a dozen times since we've moved back but haven't been. I'm sure I went in my youth...I think. Singapore has a beautiful botanic garden....opened all year round and it's free (except for the Orchid garden portion). They have a great zoo too...all natural boundaries...no fences outside. Spent many a day there chaperoning field trips for my kids.

Posted by: Tami [/i][/b][/u][/s] at March 23, 2014 04:23 PM (bCEmE)

98 ...And little Delta finger-waggin ginger.

Posted by: All Hail Eris at March 23, 2014 07:18 PM

The ginger's nickname is Deltalina and she's still in the all the videos, and still a flight attendant for Delta.

Posted by: LC LaWedgie at March 23, 2014 04:24 PM (KQp38)

99 Stowe Gardens in Gastonia, NC (privately endowed by the Stowe family) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience of Southern beauty and horticultural excellence.

Posted by: NCwoof at March 23, 2014 04:24 PM (aUQgu)

100 I am a big fangirl of the Denver Botanic Gardens, and am surprised they didn't make the list. I think it's one of the best teaching gardens; the staff are really passionate about what they do, and it's contagious. The Raulston (The NC one mentioned upthread) is also fantastic, and they have done some of the best hybridization research in the world over the years. Seems like there's one in MA that's also renown for its work in developing hybrids of various species. And I hate to mention it given the Olberdouche connection, but Cornell has a very nice botanical garden. Very nice. At least it was when I went up my senior year of high school scout out the campus.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 23, 2014 04:30 PM (4Ti1k)

101 Denver has a great Botanic Garden. Did kids garden programs there when I was young and my mom volunteered there for a while. I echo Buchart Gardens, it is lovely and should be part of a day trip to Victoria. We have an Arboretum here that is lovely to drive or stroll through and Tacoma has nice gardens at Point Defiance.

Posted by: ParanoidGirlinSeattle at March 23, 2014 04:30 PM (RZ8pf)

102 As with #69 Orchioptera, one more vote for the Huntington Library in San Marino CA, along with the museum and library (Blue Boy by Gainsborough, Copley, Turner, Cassat, Greco-Roman stuff out the ears, Gutenberg Bibles...) plus the Bloedel Reserve gardens on Bainbridge Island WA a short ways by ferry from Seattle (camellias, rhodies, Japanese garden, bird refuge...). And Descanso Gardens in Southern California ain't bad either.

Posted by: Skookumchuk at March 23, 2014 04:32 PM (OSzB9)

103 Tammy that is hilarious we posted about Denver at almost the same time. I spent many many days there in my childhood. And took my son a few years ago. I have a beautiful picture of him and my grandma sitting in chairs looking out over the lily pond. Many people have told me it is very impressionist looking and looks more like a painting then a photograph.

Posted by: ParanoidGirlinSeattle at March 23, 2014 04:32 PM (RZ8pf)

104 Both Middleton Place and Magnolia Gardens, just west of Charleston SC on the Ashley River road, are worth a trip. Done it many times as a kid and with my kids, and Lord willin' will do it many more times with the grandkids.

Posted by: Enby at March 23, 2014 04:33 PM (4tr9z)

105 For europe destinations, obviously Kew Garden in London, and in France in the Loire Valley it seems like every time you turn around you stumble over another spectacular garden.

Posted by: ParanoidGirlinSeattle at March 23, 2014 04:35 PM (RZ8pf)

106 Oh and seconding the Huntington. We do miss that place. Also, Descanso Gardens, though I'm not sure that counts. Lovely way to spend a spring day in SoCal, though. And YES, to the Mo Botanical. Also a fantastic place to learn... from a sheer gardening standpoint, could be my favorite.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 23, 2014 04:35 PM (4Ti1k)

107 PGiS, how cool! It really is a fantastic place. I have a lot of family in Denver and we visit there quite a bit. I enjoyt he zoo, too. I'd love to see your picture!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 23, 2014 04:37 PM (4Ti1k)

108 Skook!!!!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 23, 2014 04:39 PM (4Ti1k)

109 Astronomy thread up.

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 04:40 PM (zDsvJ)

110 Tammy!!!! How ya been?

Posted by: Skookumchuk at March 23, 2014 04:40 PM (OSzB9)

111 Tilt! Thread overload....

Posted by: Tami [/i][/b][/u][/s] at March 23, 2014 04:43 PM (bCEmE)

112 >>111 Tilt! Thread overload.... I know!

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 04:45 PM (zDsvJ)

113 Yet another old Huntington hand....it has recently been expanded to include a Chinese garden, which joins the Japanese garden, palm garden, jungle garden, desert garden, Shakespeare garden, rose garden, bamboo garden, Australian garden, tropical conservatory (that one's new-ish), and probably some others I forgot to mention. The website is http://www.huntington.org/

I see that they're having a Clivia show and sale. Interestingly, that's pronounced "Clive-eee-ah" and not "Cliv-eee-ah" -- according to the Duchess of Northumberland, after whom they were named. http://tinyurl.com/neky3jc

If you live near enough to visit the Huntington more than once, there is another garden near Santa Barbara that is about 1/3 the size, called Lotusland -- www.lotusland.org . It has a serious cycad collection and some very nice collections of bromeliads and succulents.

Finally, I could put in a good word for one of the big boys....the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew -- www.kew.org. You can actually get there via the tube, hop off, walk a couple of blocks, and there you are.

Posted by: cthulhu at March 23, 2014 04:51 PM (T1005)

114 Late late late to the party, but...

Will Have to sheck out Springs Preserve next time am in Vegas, thanks for the tip! Bellagio always has a lovely changing garden display inside their hotel, so I do check that out when I go.

Mentioned it before, I think in a gardening thread, but Jordan Valley Conservation Gardens are a really lovely teaching garden.

Funding gardens can be tricky. One botanical center marketing team I met with once described their strategy as being "a bar with a garden attached to it." They make bank on the events/parties/weddings they host, and especially from the alcohol they serve. Most Utah gardens do not get to utilize this strategy, hah, but in other states they can. The also rely on memberships and grants. I think donations bring in the least amount, unless you can get a substantial donor or provide donor naming opps for you gardens..

Gardens I want to check out sometime are the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and the US National Arboretum, they look stunning. I've heard the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in TX is lovely too.

Posted by: LizLem at March 23, 2014 05:06 PM (ijXVY)

115 Funding gardens can be tricky. One botanical center marketing team I met with once described their strategy as being "a bar with a garden attached to it." They make bank on the events/parties/weddings they host, and especially from the alcohol they serve. Most Utah gardens do not get to utilize this strategy, hah, but in other states they can. --- :-) No kidding! Funny thing was that a friend of mine here was at a wedding/reception at Sun River Gardens in Orem last weekend. I think that's becoming "a thing" for the small garden centers and nurseries.

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 05:11 PM (zDsvJ)

116 Thanks, everyone, for your contributions! See you next weekend.

Posted by: Y-not at March 23, 2014 05:12 PM (zDsvJ)

117 Y not I meant to tell you that the Ethel M chocolate factory in Vegas has a garden....if you like desert plants, you might enjoy it. If it's even still there. I think it is associated with Mars candy. And back to the Los Angeles area, I seem to remember there being a little botanical garden in Palos Verdes, too, which I stumbled on by accident once. cthulu, Lotusland gave me the creeps! (The cycads were cool, from the standpoint of their being such an ancient species, anyway; not crazy about their looks)

The desert walk part of the Huntington also sorta creeped me out, now that I think about it. Not really a fan of big weird succulent looking plants. I always enjoyed going to the LA Arboretum, but was never especially impressed with it as far as their collections or learning anything. They had some mighty fine plant sales, though, as did the Huntington. Oh damn, and quite possibly the most beautiful man I have ever seen in the orchid house. Exquisite, more than worthy to be working among orchids.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 23, 2014 05:27 PM (4Ti1k)

118 Third vote here for Butchart Gardens just north of Victoria, BC. http://www.butchartgardens.com/ It is built at a former estate/rock quarry of a cement magnate right above the bay.

Posted by: Nuclear SUV at March 23, 2014 05:38 PM (c9sn+)

119 LizLem, Smacks, myself in the head. The LAdy Bird Johnson Wildflower center is down the road from me, I literally drive by it almost every day and have never been there. I will make some time in the next two weeks and go.

Posted by: lindafell at March 23, 2014 06:24 PM (PGO8C)

120 Posted by: lindafell at March 23, 2014 10:24 PM (PGO8C) Just sent you an email--thanks! Shooting clays in the garden, what could go wrong? combine that with selling booze as suggested upthread, and it's the perfect moron weekend event. Guns, gardens, and value-rite.

Posted by: stace at March 23, 2014 07:06 PM (9PXzx)

121 Franklin Park Conservatory is very nice, been there once or twice. There's also a very nice one in Pittsburgh, though the name escapes me.

Posted by: Conservative Crank at March 23, 2014 08:19 PM (b2cFu)

122 late entry here...
wish I'd seen this yesterday, but for those who like roses, the International Rose Test Garden in Portland, OR can hardly be beat. There are also a spectacular Japanese garden and a smaller, but very nice, Chinese garden in Portland. In addition to Longwood near Philly, there are a host of other gardens, the Tyler Arboretum is wonderful, and many many others. I had many lovely visits to the botanical gardens in Birmingham, AL too, though since it was many years ago I don't know if it's still a good one. Huntington Gardens and Library in CA are huge and quite nice, though they could use a little more maintenance IMHO.

Posted by: dap at March 24, 2014 08:29 AM (GUTc0)

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