Gardens

Chihuly Nights at NY Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx is one of my favorite gardens, I even like it more than the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. It’s larger and for much of the park, you don’t see high rise buildings so it really feels like you have gotten away. Right now they are featuring world renowned artist Dale Chihuly. It’s his first major exhibition in NY in over 10 years. His works have been here since April 22, 2017 and the exhibit will close on October 29, 2017. The garden stays open late for Chihuly Nights and the glass pieces are really an extra special something at this time of day. Continue reading →

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Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

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Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a good example of gardening traditions from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It’s a representation of a Ming scholar’s residence. It’s located at 578 Carrall Street in Vancouver’s Chinatown in British Colombia. The garden was built in 1985–1986 to bridge and build the understanding of Chinese and Western cultures. Continue reading →

Butchart’s Gardens

Butchart’s Gardens is a National Historic Site of Canada. We had no plans of coming here on this trip but our hike tour was cancelled last minute. It’s a beautiful garden, the most beautiful we’ve ever seen. Continue reading →

Audubon Swamp Garden at Magnolia Plantation

The Audubon Swamp was once a freshwater reservoir used for rice cultivation. Now it’s a black water cypress and tupedo swamp. It’s 60 acres covered by boardwalks and trails filled with local wildlife. If it’s a lucky day you can see egrets, herons, bald eagles, alligators, otters, and turtles. While walking around keep in mind these were all rice fields worked on by slaves. Continue reading →

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

Magnolia Plantation is one of the most unique looking and one of the oldest plantations in South Carolina. The house we see today is the 3rd house after the first 2 burned down. Originally, the live oak lined path lead to the house. It is the one of 3 remaining plantations along the Ashley River. Most were burned down when the Union soldiers passed through during the Civil War. Magnolia is a mixed of Victorian, Georgian, and Gothic Revival architecture. It’s also one of the oldest tourist attractions in the south. Continue reading →

NY Botanical Garden: Holiday Train Show

We went to the NY Botanical Garden 4-5 years ago for the annual Holiday Train Show. It was a bitter & extremely freezing cold day in December. I was super excited because I love trains but when I got there I realized the show is all about the model structures which was a nice surprise. They are made out of natural plant based resins and materials. The details were impressive. Continue reading →

Shofuso Japanese House & West Fairmount Park

Shufuso is a traditional 17th century Japanese house and garden. This villa was featured at MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) in New York City in 1956. 2 years later it was reconstructed in West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. It was built in 1953 as a gift from Japan to America, a post war friendship between the two countries. It uses traditional Japanese materials and techniques. Continue reading →