Discover the beauty of nature and find joy in the leisurely pursuit of gardening
Locked up at home and nowhere to go, our thirst for wanderlust intensifies with each month that passes by. But with the quarantine not ending any time soon, a newfound appreciation of our own abodes has increased our interest in improving, beautifying, and redecorating spaces. For some, one of the most often overlooked areas at home is the garden. Most often than not, one employs a team composing of a landscape artist, a horticulturist, and a set of gardeners. Given the circumstances, perhaps some may have started channeling their inner greenskeeper by looking at plants and seeds online. But for those who still need a bit of inspiration, why don’t you take an online tour of some of the world’s most majestic botanical gardens.
Beautiful Beginnings: The United States Botanic Garden
The oldest continually-operating garden in the US is a must-see for its 360-degree virtual tour. Site entry grants you access to the Conservatory, National Garden and Bartholdi Park. While the conservatory contains most of the plant species divided among rooms according to habitat, the Bartholdi Park is a simple yet elegant display that will surely motivate home gardeners. Known to specialize in orchids and succulents, the US Botanic Garden is a fantastic start to your journey.
Tour around the garden here.
East Meets West: The Portland Japanese Garden
If you are looking for a more relaxed aesthetic, the Portland Japanese Garden provides the right amount of serene and calming spaces. With eight sprawling gardens, the 12-acre plot of land features many traditional Japanese elements—koi ponds, sand and stone gardens, bonsai specimens, and a century-old five-tiered pagoda lantern. Construction of this exquisite garden took nearly a decade after the declaration of Portland as a sister city of Sapporo, Japan, in 1968.
Tour around the garden here.
The Biggest in the World: The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
London’s largest UNESCO World Heritage site houses the largest and most diverse collection of living plants in the world with several glasshouses and nurseries which showcase unique landscapes and iconic architecture and display the gardens’ rich history. No doubt, the enormous expanse of the estate affords a multitude of sights to explore. Travel through 10 different climates at the Princess of Wales Conservatory, visit an urban rainforest at the spectacular Palm House, or traipse along with the well-preserved shades and hues of the Winter Garden.
Tour around the garden here.
