5 Beautiful Gardens That Are Worth A Visit

Lovely Gardens Worth Traveling For

Benefits Of Spending Time Outdoors

• Sunlight is a natural source of vitamin D
• In the winter, leaving the house can lessen the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Hiking is a great way to stay physically active
• Walking in the fresh air can help with mental health
• It's a great opportunity to learn about local plant and animal species
• Going outside may be good for children's vision

How Botanic Gardens Can Win Hearts & Minds

Tips For Starting Your Own Garden

• Make sure you have all the tools you need
• Keep everything organized so nothing gets lost
• Use a stool to stay comfortable while you work
• Or avoid crouching down altogether by having a raised garden
• Light the garden so that you can enjoy it at night as well
• Remember to mark your plants so you know what you're growing
• If you're having trouble with pests, put up a fence
• Prune your plants regularly
• If you don't have a good environment outside, try growing an indoor garden

Getting Hooked On Nature

In Depth

If you find yourself in need of some sunshine and fresh air, spending time in a garden might be just what the doctor ordered. From historic estates, to community-operated green spaces, gardens can provide a much needed respite from the stresses of city life. Here, in no particular order, are five botanical destinations you should check out.

Up first, in the #1 spot, we have Untermyer Park and Gardens in Yonkers, New York. Overlooking the Hudson River, this historic estate once belonged to a prominent New York lawyer named Samuel Untermyer, sprawling over one-hundred and fifty acres until his death in 1940. In recent years, the remaining portions of the garden have undergone an ambitious restoration project.

Today, visitors can enjoy architectural and horticultural marvels, such as the Walled Garden, the Vista, and the Temple of Love. Guided tours are offered during the warmer seasons, and guests can choose between history-focused or design-focused tours. This public park also hosts a number of community and educational events, such as Storytime in the Garden, and horticultural workshops.

This public park also hosts a number of community and educational events, such as Storytime in the Garden, and horticultural workshops.

#2 on our list is the Glendoick Gardens, located in Perthshire, Scotland. Run by world-renowned plant hunter and expert, Kenneth Cox, Glendoick is world-famous for displaying a wide variety of rhododendrons and azaleas, many of which have been introduced from the wild or bred by the Cox family. These gardens also boast a huge range of plants from as far as Chile, Tasmania and Tibet.

The gardens frequently hosts events such as gardeners' workshops, yoga classes and a monthly knitting group. Glendoick Play is an outdoor play area for the youngest visitors. These gardens are situated behind a gardening center and nursery that offers beautifully reared plants and a vast selection of seeds appropriate for gardeners of all abilities.

At #3, we have The Garden Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that has helped to preserve more than eighty outstanding gardens across America. With their unique characteristics and challenges, the preserved sites associated with this organization represent the botanical diversity on our continent, as well as the distinctive character and cultural legacy of American gardening.

With their unique characteristics and challenges, the preserved sites associated with this organization represent the botanical diversity on our continent, as well as the distinctive character and cultural legacy of American gardening.

Since 1995, thousands of diverse gardens, from urban rooftops to historic estates, have participated in the group's signature Open Days program, providing access to the country's most exciting, creative, and innovative private gardens. Many Open Days hosts supplement the guest experience with guided tours and additional activities such as book-signings, plant sales, or demonstrations.

In the #4 spot is Elizabeth Street Garden, a unique public green, open space located in Little Italy, New York City. In this dense, tightly packed neighborhood, the garden provides a much needed sanctuary for local residents of all ages. This beloved site has nearly 200 years of history as a public, recreational space.

In 2019, with the garden facing serious threat of commercial development, community activists filed a lawsuit against the city of New York to protect this public green space. Community members are united by their love of the garden, and volunteers run free public programming with a focus on gardening and education, arts and cultural events, and wellness activities.

In 2019, with the garden facing serious threat of commercial development, community activists filed a lawsuit against the city of New York to protect this public green space.

And finally, #5 on our list is Mosaic Gardens, a landscaping firm located in Eugene, Oregon. Since 2002, this acclaimed team has designed custom gardens that integrate each clients' aesthetic taste and lifestyle with the natural elements of the site. These cottage-style outdoor designs have been featured in several notable publications.

This firm uses local and natural materials during construction, and emphasizes drought tolerant plantings that provide healthy habitats for native creatures. It oversees all aspects of the design and build, ensuring that each high-quality element of the garden enhances the overall design and is made to last.