Monday, February 29, 2016

Hershey Children's Garden



The Hershey Children's garden, located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a great place for kids.  Hershey kiss misters greet you with a fine spray of water as you enter.  The garden features a tree house, a butterfly house, a caterpillar tunnel, and a Native American garden.

The garden is open daily from April 15 to late October.  It is also open on select dates in November and December.  Tickets are between $7.00 and $10.00. 

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Giverney Water Garden



If you ever have the chance to be in Giverney, France, be sure to visit the famous gardens of artist, Claude Monet.  They are absolutely beautiful! 

Monet moved to Givery in 1883.  He began several gardens on his property, surrounding his home.   In 1893, Monet bought a piece of land next to his property.  He dug the first pond on that land. This pond became the famous Japanese water garden.  Later, it was enlarged to its present size.

The famous Japanese bridge is made of beech wood, and is covered with wisterias.  There are other bridges in the garden as well.  Weeping willows give a very restful feeling and gorgeous nympheas bloom all summer long. It is no wonder that Monet used this garden as the subject of his paintings!

The gardens are open from April 1 - November 1, from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.  Tickets are 8 euros.

giverny-boats

Saturday, February 13, 2016

The Alameda Garden




The Alameda Garden, in Gibraltar, was founded in 1816 by the governor of Gibraltar as a place of recreation for its residents.  The name "Alameda," is Spanish for "tree lined boulevard."  It covers an area of fifteen acres and displays a collection of plants from Mediterranean climates around the world.

 The park was once used as a graveyard, so if you visit, take the time to find and read the markers.

The garden is open from 8 AM until dusk.  Admission is free.