If you have a love for nature and are seeking a truly breathtaking experience, some of the world’s most exquisite botanical gardens await you. These serene, beautifully curated landscapes offer unparalleled beauty and tranquility. Whether you’re looking to relax in a peaceful oasis or explore vast, meticulously designed gardens, these destinations are sure to leave you in awe.
Don’t forget your camera! And if you’re an artist at heart, why not bring along a sketchbook to capture the natural beauty surrounding you? Get ready to embark on a journey to some of the most magnificent botanical gardens that you simply can’t miss.
Top International Botanical Gardens
Butchart Gardens, British Columbia, Canada:
Butchart Gardens is a garden paradise that showcases over 900 varieties of plants, trees, and flowers, offering a stunning visual and sensory experience. Visitors can explore the magnificent Sunken Garden, smell the fragrant blooms in the Rose Garden, and marvel at the towering trees in the Japanese Garden. With its ever-changing seasonal displays, from spring tulips to winter lights, there’s always something new to admire year-round. Fun fact: Butchart Gardens was originally a limestone quarry that was transformed into this beautiful garden by Jennie Butchart in the early 1900s, making it a perfect example of turning an industrial site into a flourishing natural paradise!
Gardens by the Bay, Singapore:
Gardens by the Bay is a futuristic wonderland that transports visitors to a mystical world of nature and innovation. The iconic Supertrees, which light up the night sky, and the dazzling Flower Dome, home to over 32,000 plants from across the globe, are just a few highlights of this surreal garden. The towering Supertrees and elevated walkways have a futuristic design that might remind you of the whimsical architecture from the movie Meet the Robinsons. Their towering presence and interconnected walkways make you feel as though you’ve stepped into a world of tomorrow.
Be sure to explore the Cloud Forest, where a 35-meter indoor waterfall creates a misty environment filled with exotic flora from all over the world. Fun fact: the Supertrees aren’t just for show—they’re eco-friendly structures that harness solar energy and collect rainwater, making them as functional as they are stunning!
Image: Gardens by the Bay by Abbey Poulin
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa:
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a world-renowned sanctuary for South Africa’s incredible biodiversity, showcasing over 7,000 plant species, many of which are rare and endangered. Located at the base of Table Mountain in Cape Town, it’s one of the few gardens in the world dedicated to preserving the flora of an entire region. Visitors can stroll through the Fragrance Garden, where the soothing scents of lavender, rosemary, and other aromatic plants fill the air, or explore the Medicinal Garden, which highlights traditional African healing plants.
This garden is inspiring to me, as I studied anthropology at Lehigh University, where I had the opportunity to take a course and write my senior thesis on ethnobotany—the study of how people use plants as medicine. Kirstenbosch, with its focus on preserving traditional knowledge of plants, reflects the ways humans have relied on the natural world for healing for thousands of years.
The Boomslang Canopy Walkway, a raised path through the treetops, offers an immersive experience with breathtaking views of the garden and the surrounding mountain landscape. Fun fact: Kirstenbosch is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of the world’s six floral kingdoms, and the only one contained within a single country, earning it a place as a UNESCO World Heritage site!
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, UK:
For a quintessential European botanical experience, the historic Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London offers a stunning collection of over 30,000 plant species from around the globe. Founded in the 18th century, Kew is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the largest and most diverse collection of living plants in the world. Visitors can explore the iconic Temperate House, the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse, which houses an extraordinary array of rare and endangered plants from temperate zones. The garden also features the Palm House, a Victorian-era greenhouse simulating a tropical rainforest, and the Treetop Walkway, which offers a unique, elevated perspective of the garden from above.
Walking through Kew Gardens feels like stepping onto the set of the Netflix show Bridgerton, with its lush landscapes, grand architecture, and elegant, historic charm. The beautifully curated gardens and majestic glasshouses evoke a sense of regality and timelessness, much like the romantic settings of the series.
Image: Kew Gardens (https://www.kewgardenstickets.co.uk/royal-botanic-gardens-at-kew/)
Claude Monet’s Garden, Giverny, France:
Claude Monet’s Garden in Giverny is world-famous for being the inspiration behind the artist’s renowned Water Lilies series of paintings. This enchanting garden, meticulously designed by Monet himself, features a harmonious blend of color, texture, and water elements that create a living masterpiece. Visitors can explore the iconic Japanese bridge, draped with wisteria, and wander through the lush paths surrounding the tranquil lily pond, where the reflection of the sky and plants on the water mimics Monet’s paintings. Vibrant flower beds, carefully arranged by season, display a stunning variety of blooms, including irises, tulips, and peonies, that captured Monet’s artistic eye. For art enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, a visit to this garden is not only an immersive experience in beauty but also a journey through one of the most influential landscapes in art history. Bring your sketchbook if you feel so inclined!
Image: Claude Monet's Garden Pond (https://thegoodlifefrance.com/monets-garden-the-water-lily-pond/)
Top Botanical Gardens in the United States
New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY:
The New York Botanical Garden, one of the largest and most diverse botanical gardens in the U.S., spans over 250 acres and houses more than a million plants. This iconic destination is known for its breathtaking landscapes, the renowned Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and vibrant seasonal displays that captivate visitors year-round. The garden is also home to a 50-acre old-growth forest, one of the last remaining in New York City, offering a glimpse of what the area looked like centuries ago. Fun fact: the New York Botanical Garden’s herbarium contains over 7.8 million preserved plant specimens, making it one of the largest plant research libraries in the world!
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL:
The Chicago Botanic Garden spans 385 acres and serves as a living museum, featuring 27 diverse gardens and four natural areas. Notable attractions include the tranquil Japanese Garden (Sansho-En), a three-island landscape that harmoniously combines water, rocks, and meticulously pruned trees to create a sense of balance, as well as the vibrant Rose Garden and the expansive native prairie and wetlands. The garden also offers a variety of educational programs and events, with a strong focus on conservation and sustainability.
Image: Chicago Botanic Garden (https://www.chicagobotanic.org/gardens)
Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO:
The Missouri Botanical Garden is a must-visit for anyone who loves plants, conservation, or just peaceful outdoor spaces. Spanning 79 acres, this garden is famous for its dedication to plant science and global conservation efforts. One of its standout features is the Climatron, a futuristic geodesic dome that simulates a tropical rainforest, home to over 2,800 plants, from lush ferns to exotic orchids.
Visitors can also wander through the rose gardens, enjoy the charm of the Victorian landscapes, or relax in the peaceful Japanese Garden, one of the largest in North America, complete with koi ponds, stone lanterns, and beautiful footbridges.The garden is not just for show—it’s also home to the Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development, a leader in plant research.
Fun fact: The Missouri Botanical Garden, founded in 1859, is the oldest continuously operating botanical garden in the U.S.!
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA:
Spanning over 1,000 acres, Longwood Gardens is a horticultural wonderland renowned for its expansive gardens, intricate fountains, and stunning conservatories. Both the indoor and outdoor gardens are meticulously maintained, offering visitors the opportunity to explore a variety of environments, from tranquil water features and formal Italian gardens to vast meadow landscapes. Longwood also boasts the grand Main Fountain Garden, which showcases spectacular water shows, as well as the iconic Conservatory, home to exotic plants from around the world. Longwood Gardens is the closest to our Soltech office, and many of our employees have enjoyed visiting during all seasons, experiencing its dynamic beauty year-round!
Image: Longwood Gardens (https://www.scccc.com/longwood-gardens.html)
Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ:
For a truly unique botanical experience, the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix showcases over 50,000 arid plants from deserts around the world, offering a rare glimpse into the beauty and diversity of desert ecosystems. Spanning 140 acres, the garden features five thematic trails, each providing an immersive experience into the life and survival strategies of desert plants. Visitors can explore the Sonoran Desert Nature Loop Trail, with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, or stroll along the Desert Wildflower Loop, where vibrant seasonal blooms add bursts of color to the rugged landscape. The garden also boasts stunning collections of cacti and succulents, including towering saguaro cacti and rare species from Africa and Australia. Fun fact: the Desert Botanical Garden is home to one of the most comprehensive collections of agave plants in the world, making it a must-visit for plant enthusiasts! This one is definitely on my must-see list.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh, PA:
Set amidst the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden covers more than 460 acres, featuring a blend of restored woodlands, meadows, and beautifully designed gardens. Notable attractions include the colorful Garden of the Five Senses and the serene Lotus Pond. A delightful Butterfly Garden adds to the charm, where a malachite butterfly once perched on my shoulder. This garden exemplifies the transformation of former mining land into a stunning natural sanctuary, with a strong emphasis on conservation and education.
Image: Phipps Conservatory Butterfly Garden by Devynn Goodspeed
Whether you’re exploring international wonders or visiting the best botanical gardens in the United States, each garden offers a unique way to experience the beauty of nature. From the towering Supertrees in Singapore to the serene lotus pond in Pittsburgh, botanical gardens provide a refreshing escape and a deeper appreciation for the diversity of our natural world. How many gardens can you check off?
