Guide to Gardens to Visit Around the World
Gardens around the world offer serene beauty, historical significance, and unique plant collections that showcase the diversity of nature. Whether you are an avid gardener, a nature lover, or simply someone seeking a peaceful retreat, visiting beautiful gardens can be an enriching experience. Here's a SG Florist guide to some of the most remarkable gardens worldwide that are worth exploring.
1. Keukenhof Gardens - Lisse, Netherlands
Highlights: Famous for its stunning tulip displays, Keukenhof is one of the largest flower gardens in the world. Spanning 79 acres, it features over 7 million flowers annually, including tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths.
Best Time to Visit: Spring (mid-March to May) when the tulips are in full bloom.
Why Visit: A celebration of Dutch horticultural artistry, it is a visual feast, especially during the tulip season.
2. Kew Gardens - London, England
Highlights: The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and feature over 50,000 plants from around the world. The Palm House, Temperate House, and the giant treetop walkway offer exceptional views of both plants and the landscape.
Best Time to Visit: Year-round, but spring and summer are particularly lovely when the flowers are in full bloom.
Why Visit: It’s not just a garden; it’s a living museum with botanical collections, historical glasshouses, and a commitment to conservation.
3. Jardin Majorelle - Marrakech, Morocco
Highlights: Known for its striking cobalt blue accents, Jardin Majorelle is a beautiful botanical garden designed by French painter Jacques Majorelle. The garden houses exotic plants, fountains, and shaded paths, as well as the Berber Museum.
Best Time to Visit: Late fall to early spring, avoiding the intense summer heat.
Why Visit: The vibrant colors and lush plant life create a tranquil oasis in the middle of the bustling city of Marrakech.
4. Butchart Gardens - Vancouver Island, Canada
Highlights: Spread across 55 acres, Butchart Gardens is renowned for its themed gardens, including the Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, and Italian Garden. The gardens are beautifully designed with diverse plant species and spectacular seasonal changes.
Best Time to Visit: Spring through fall, with each season offering different flowers and foliage.
Why Visit: A perfect blend of natural beauty and historical design, it offers breathtaking views and a tranquil setting.
5. Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden - Pattaya, Thailand
Highlights: This expansive garden spans over 500 acres and features a variety of themed gardens, including a French garden, a cactus garden, and a European-style garden. The vibrant cultural shows and elephant rides add to the experience.
Best Time to Visit: November to February when the weather is cooler and more comfortable.
Why Visit: A colorful and exotic garden, it is one of Thailand's top tourist attractions for both plant lovers and those interested in Thai culture.
6. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden - Tokyo, Japan
Highlights: A beautiful combination of Japanese traditional, English landscape, and French formal gardens, Shinjuku Gyoen is a large park known for its stunning cherry blossoms in the spring. The park also features a large greenhouse and picturesque walking paths.
Best Time to Visit: Spring for cherry blossom season, autumn for vibrant fall foliage.
Why Visit: Its peaceful ambiance and diverse garden styles make it a tranquil escape in the heart of Tokyo.
7. The Desert Botanical Garden - Phoenix, USA
Highlights: The Desert Botanical Garden is dedicated to the preservation of desert plant species and features thousands of cacti, succulents, and other desert plants. There are stunning walking paths and art installations throughout the garden.
Best Time to Visit: Fall to spring, when the desert flowers bloom and the weather is pleasant.
Why Visit: This garden offers a unique experience with its focus on desert flora and is ideal for learning about arid landscapes.
8. Singapore Botanic Gardens - Singapore
Highlights: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is home to one of the world’s most impressive orchid collections. With over 1,000 species of orchids, the National Orchid Garden within is particularly famous.
Best Time to Visit: Year-round, but early morning visits are best for avoiding the heat and crowds.
Why Visit: A tropical garden that blends history, natural beauty, and botanical research, it offers a peaceful urban escape.
9. Villa d’Este Gardens - Tivoli, Italy
Highlights: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Villa d’Este gardens are famous for their Renaissance design, stunning fountains, and terraced landscapes. The grand water features, including fountains, waterfalls, and water jets, are a highlight.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and early summer for the best weather and to see the fountains at their most impressive.
Why Visit: A historical and artistic gem, this garden is an example of Renaissance garden design at its finest.
10. Monet’s Garden - Giverny, France
Highlights: Made famous by the painter Claude Monet, this garden inspired many of his most iconic works, including the water lily series. The garden is divided into two main sections: the Clos Normand flower garden and the water garden, featuring a pond with water lilies and the famous Japanese bridge.
Best Time to Visit: Late spring to early summer when the flowers are in full bloom, especially the water lilies.
Why Visit: Experience the landscape that inspired one of the most famous artists in history in a beautifully preserved garden setting.
11. The Royal Botanic Garden - Sydney, Australia
Highlights: Located in the heart of Sydney, the Royal Botanic Garden offers a stunning variety of plants, with sections dedicated to Australian flora, tropical plants, and a spectacular waterfront view of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Best Time to Visit: Year-round, with each season offering something unique in terms of blooms and foliage.
Why Visit: The combination of lush gardens, historical significance, and scenic views makes it a must-see while in Sydney.
12. Longwood Gardens - Pennsylvania, USA
Highlights: Spanning 1,077 acres, Longwood Gardens is one of the premier botanical gardens in the world. It features stunning conservatories, water gardens, and a grand outdoor garden with seasonal flower displays, including a renowned Christmas light display.
Best Time to Visit: Spring for the blooming flowers, summer for the outdoor gardens, or winter for the holiday lights.
Why Visit: Known for its horticultural excellence and awe-inspiring seasonal displays, Longwood is a garden lover's paradise.
13. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden - Cape Town, South Africa
Highlights: Located at the foot of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch is a world-renowned garden that showcases South Africa’s rich and diverse plant life, especially its indigenous species. The garden features stunning landscapes, walking trails, and a canopy walkway known as the "Boomslang."
Best Time to Visit: Spring to summer (October to March) when many flowers are in bloom.
Why Visit: This garden offers an immersive experience in one of the world’s most biodiverse countries and boasts dramatic mountain views.
14. Desert Rose Garden - Cairo, Egypt
Highlights: A hidden gem in Cairo, the Desert Rose Garden showcases the beauty of desert plants and roses in an arid environment. It's a peaceful place surrounded by the desert landscape and offers an escape from the city.
Best Time to Visit: Winter and early spring, avoiding the summer heat.
Why Visit: It’s a unique garden that contrasts the urban surroundings of Cairo with the serenity of nature.
15. Stourhead Gardens - Wiltshire, England
Highlights: Known for its stunning landscape garden design, Stourhead features classical temples, grottoes, and tranquil lakes. The garden is designed to be a walkable work of art, offering beautiful views in every direction.
Best Time to Visit: Autumn for the fall colors or spring for the flowering plants.
Why Visit: The perfect example of an 18th-century landscape garden, Stourhead is particularly loved for its picturesque views and historical significance.
Gardens are more than just places to view plants; they are expressions of culture, history, and artistry. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat, an architectural masterpiece, or a world-class collection of plants, the gardens listed here offer unforgettable experiences. When visiting any of these locations, be sure to take your time, soak in the beauty, and, most importantly, respect the natural environment.
