Great Gardens!

April is
National Garden Month, and in case you’re wondering, 2017 has been designated
the Year of the Daffodil. So this a great time to head out and visit one or
more of our country’s amazing botanical gardens. They provide a peaceful
oasis in a fast-paced world and many of them also offer special events like
art exhibits and concerts. Keep in mind that gardens in some parts of the
U.S. are only open on a seasonal basis, so be sure to check their dates and
hours of operation before you visit. Here are a few gorgeous gardens to
consider:

OREGON
| Portland Japanese
Garden 

Spanning 12 acres, the Portland Japanese Garden is
composed of eight different types of gardens that reflect the history and
culture of Japan. Each of these gardens is designed to create a sense of
peace, harmony and tranquility. Choices include the Flat Garden, the
Strolling Pond Garden, the Tea Garden, the Natural Garden, the Bonsai Terrace
and the meticulously-raked patterns of the Sand and Stone Garden. In late
spring, the garden is enhanced by the blooms of azaleas, camellias and
wisteria. The garden also offers a full calendar of lectures, workshops and
special events and exhibits.

Find a campground
nearby.

COLORADO | Denver
Botanic Gardens

This 24-acre
oasis in the heart of Denver is considered to be one of the top
botanical gardens in the U.S. Its collections include specimens “from the
tropics to the tundra.” The garden’s Summer Concert Series will run from
April 3 through September 2 this year, and an exhibit called Calder:
Monumental, a display of the bold steel structures by iconic American artist
Alexander Calder will run from April 28 through September 24.

Find a campground
nearby.

TENNESSEE | Cheekwood
Estate & Gardens 

Originally built as a private home in 1929, Cheekwood now serves as a 55-acre
botanical garden and art museum. Located in Nashville, it is one of the
finest examples available of an American Country Place Era estate. One
springtime sight not to be missed at Cheekwood are the garden’s 150,000
blooming bulbs. Cheekwood also offers multiple gardens for exploring,
including a literary garden, boxwood garden, color garden, dogwood garden,
herb study garden and Japanese garden.

Find a campground
nearby.

ARIZONA
| Desert Botanical
Garden 

Located in Phoenix near the buttes of Papago Park, the
140-acre Desert
Botanical Garden has more than 50,000 plants on display,
including rare, threatened and endangered species from around the Southwest.
The garden includes five loops: Desert Discovery, Plants & People of
the Sonoran Desert, Sonoran Desert Nature, the Center for Desert Living and
the Harriet K. Maxwell Desert Wildflower Trail. It is also known for its
special exhibits such as the popular Spring Butterfly Exhibit that is open
through May 17.

Find a campground
nearby.

MISSOURI
| Missouri Botanical Garden 

Dating back to 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis is the
nation’s oldest botanical garden in continuous operation and has been
designated as a National Historic Landmark. Highlights include a 14-acre
Japanese strolling garden, founder Henry Shaw’s country residence which was
built in 1849, an authentic Victorian garden, a children’s garden, a
conservatory housed in a geodesic dome called the Climatron, and one of the
world’s largest collections of rare and endangered orchids. On April 30, the
garden will host its 5K Tulip Trot with proceeds going to benefit the
children’s garden.

Find a campground
nearby.

PENNSYLVANIA
| Longwood
Gardens 

Established by entrepreneur and philanthropist Pierre S. du Point
in the early 1900s, Longwood
Gardens is located 30 miles west of Philadelphia and offers more
than 1,000 acres containing dozens of gardens to explore. A few examples are
the Idea Garden, Topiary Garden, Fern Passage, Mediterranean Garden and a
stunning indoor garden called the Orangery. Longwood Gardens also serves as a
cultural center and offers numerous music, dance and theater events through
its annual performance series. Visit the garden’s website for a complete list
of performers and ticket information.

Find
a campground nearby.

MAINE
| Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Set on 270 acres of tidal shoreland in the Boothbay area, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens offers plenty to
explore, including meditation, rose and perennial and hillside gardens, the
Burpee Kitchen Garden and a children’s garden. There are also multiple trails
to hike, such as the Maine Woods and Shoreline trails. Other visitor
amenities include RV parking, a family education center and a dog walk trail.
The gardens open on May 1 this year and the season runs through October 31.
The permanent sculptures that the gardens have acquired over the past 10
years will also be showcased this year.

Find a campground
nearby.

Images from
pixabay.com and pexels.com