Wellfield Botanic Gardens Voted America’s 142nd Must-See Public Garden
Public and botanical gardens are a beloved part of many communities across the US. These outdoor spaces offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, providing visitors with a chance to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of various plant species. From lush gardens featuring vibrant flowers and towering trees, to intricate displays of succulents and cacti, public gardens offer a range of experiences for visitors to enjoy.
Good Plant Care recently polled 3,000 people, revealing the top 200 public gardens in America they would most like to visit in their lifetimes. It transpires that the top 3 public gardens as voted by the public are all in… Hawaii! Perhaps this is not surprising – the state’s unique climate and geography make it a perfect location for cultivating a wide variety of plant species. With an abundance of sunshine, regular rainfall, and nutrient-rich volcanic soil, Hawaii is a botanical paradise, and its public gardens offer visitors a glimpse into this natural wonderland.
Hawaii’s public gardens are also a reflection of the state’s rich cultural heritage. Many of the gardens feature plants and flowers that are native to Hawaii and are culturally significant to the indigenous people of the islands.
1st. Koko Crater Botanical Garden
2nd. Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Big Island.
3rd. Wahiawa Botanical Garden
Following in 4th position was the Florida Botanical Gardens based in Largo. The garden spans over 30 acres and features a diverse range of native Florida plants, as well as exotic species from around the world. Visitors can explore themed gardens, including the Tropical Fruit Garden, Bromeliad Garden, and Butterfly Garden. The garden also has several walking trails, a boardwalk through a wetland, and a butterfly house.
And rounding up the top 5 came San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers. It is a historic greenhouse and botanical garden located in Golden Gate Park. The conservatory features a wide range of plant collections from around the world, including rare and endangered species. Visitors can explore several exhibition spaces, including a highland tropics gallery, a lowland tropics gallery, and a potted plant gallery, as well as a living roof garden.
And Indiana had 3 public gardens ranked within the top 200:
#142
Wellfield Botanic Gardens is a 36-acre public garden located in Elkhart. The gardens feature a variety of themed areas, including the Japanese-inspired Island Garden, the Children’s Garden, and the English Cottage Garden. Visitors can also enjoy a diverse collection of plant species from around the world, including many native to the Midwest region. In addition to the gardens, Wellfield also features several walking paths, a boardwalk, and a large pond, making it a popular destination for both nature lovers and families looking for a fun outdoor activity.
#151
James Irving Holcomb Botanical Gardens is a beautiful garden located in Shelbyville. The garden is named after James Irving Holcomb, who was a local businessman and philanthropist. The garden features a variety of plants, trees, and flowers, including a large collection of hostas and daylilies. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the garden’s winding paths and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. There are also benches scattered throughout the garden, providing a perfect spot to relax and take in the beauty of the plants and flowers.
#195
Garfield Park Conservatory and Gardens, located in Indianapolis, is a public botanical conservatory that showcases various plants and gardens from around the world. The conservatory was established in 1916 and spans over 10,000 square feet, featuring an array of gardens such as a sunken garden, a desert garden, a tropical rainforest, and a bonsai garden.