Garden at the Musee Rodin

The Garden at the Musee Rodin is located in Paris, France at the Rodin Museum, which features works by French sculptor, Auguste Rodin.  The garden covers about 9 acres and contains a rose garden, an ornamental garden, a rock garden known as the "Garden of Orpheus," and a water garden known as the "Garden of Springs."

Visitors can stroll under chesnut and linden trees, follow foot paths through hydrangeas and bamboo in the Garden of Springs, and enjoy peonies and ferns in the Garden of Orpheus.  Throughout the garden, many of Rodin's sculptures can be seen.  (Although I've never understood why The Gates of Hell sculpture is located behind the rose garden!)

 The garden is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:45 PM.  Admission for the garden alone is 1 euro.  If you'd like to see the museum, admission is 9 euros.

Mendocino Coast Botancial Garden

The Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden, located in Fort Bragg, California, is also called the Garden by the Sea.  The picturesque Mendocino coast where it lies, is just gorgeous!  The garden was founded in 1961 by Ernest Schoeler, a retired nurseryman.  In 1992 the garden was purchased by the Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District.

   The garden is well known for its collection of rhododendruns.  Visitors can also see a perennial garden, coastal prairie, and a woodland with Montery Cypress.

    If you enjoy bird watching, this is a  great place to visit.  The area contains over 150 species of birds.

 The garden is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  Admission is $14.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.

Christmas Cactus

Yesterday, for Thanksgiving, my mother-in-law brought me a Christmas cactus.  This gave me the idea to tell you a little about the plant, and to give some tips about how to care for it.

The Christmas cactus, or Schlumbergera, is native to the mountains of south-eastern Brazil.  It likes shade and high humidity.  It can be recognized by its leaf-like pads and pink flowers which flower only around Thanksgiving or Christmas (hence the name).

Here are some tips for caring for your Christmas cactus:

1.  Keep away from direct sunlight, drafts, heat vents, or fireplaces.

2.  Provide a source of humidity.  You can put a tray of water next to the plant, so that the water evaporates and provides humidity.

3.  Do not  overwater.  Once a week should be enough.  And if you can, don't water from the top.  It is best to put the plant in a tray of water and allow water to seep through holes in the bottom of the container.

4.  Prune your cactus one month after blooming.  

Hilltop Garden and Nature Center

Hilltop Garden and Nature Center, located on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, began in 1948 as a one-acre alfalfa field set aside by Indiana University President, Herman B. Wells.  It was to be a place of research and education.  Today, it has grown to five acres, and is a place that supports community gardening.  In fact, it has one of the longest- running youth gardening programs in the United States.

The garden is open to the public, and tours are offered for the Enabling Garden, Gourd Walk, and Pumpkin Patch.  Visitors can also see a Woodland Garden, greenhouses, ponds, and plenty of perennials.

  The garden is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.  Admission is free.

Descanso Gardens

The Descanso Gardens, located in La Canada Flintridge, California, is a lovely place to visit if you are ever in southern California.  It covers 160 acres, and was founded in 1953 by newspaper magnate, E. Manchester Boddy, who owed the Los Angeles Daily News.

Descanso Gardens is known as the "garden of gardens."  There are several beautiful gardens on the property, including a Japanese garden, a rose garden, a lilac garden, and a California Native Garden.  Vistors can also ride the Enchanted Railroad, which is a replica of a diesel train that takes visitors around a section of the garden.

The garden is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Admission for adults is $8.00.  Children are $6.00. 

Stanley M. Rowe Arboretum

Rowe Arboretum, located in Indian Hill, Ohio, is literally fifteen minutes from my house - practically in my backyard!  It's a 40 acre arboretum which was formerly the private estate of Stanley and Dorothy Rowe, who started the plant collection in 1926.

Today, there are over 900 labeled trees and plants, including conifers, lilac, oaks, and magnolias.  Visitors can stroll along the paths, enjoying the natural flora and fauna of Cincinnati.

The arboretum is open from dawn to dusk.  Admission is free.








One last thing:  Joanne Faries bestowed this Addictive Blog Award on me.  Thank you, Joanne!  I guess if you really like gardens, this blog can be addictive!

I will pass it on to Arnie at Travel Gourmande and  Elle Sees.

Jardin Luxembourg

One of my favorite places in Paris, France, is the Jardin Luxembourg.  It is the second largest public park in Paris, and covers about 55 acres.  Nearby is the Luxembourg Palace, which houses the French Senate.

Visitors can enjoy an expansive green lawn, gorgeous flowers, an octagonal pond of water known as the Grand Bassin where children sail model boats, statues, and two fountains:  the  Medici Fountain, a romantic baroque fountain  built in 1630, and the Fontaine de l'Observatoire, built in 1873.

 There are plenty of chairs and places to sit and enjoy the garden.  I like to  watch the children sail their boats, and watch the old men play chess.  It gives you a glimpse of French life away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of Paris.

If you ever visit Paris, be sure to make time to see this garden! Admission is free.

Cathedral Gardens

Cathedral Gardens, located in the small town of Henryville, Indiana, covers fifty-two acres, 15 of which are manicured gardens.  The place is absolutely lovely - so peaceful!  The gardens are actually made up of thirteen individual gardens.  Visitors will see ponds, fountains, statues, and of course, plenty of colorful flowers and plants.

 To enter the gardens, you will have to park in front of the property, and take a tour van.  Once there, you can stroll around and enjoy the beauty.  Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and relax in the tranquil gardens.

 The gardens are open May 1 - October 31.  Tours are Monday through Saturday at 9:00, 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00 PM.  Admission is $15.00 for the first visit, and half price for return visits.










One more thing, before I close:  I am a guest on author, Virginia Wright's blog.  I'll be giving away free copies of my book, That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN!    And tomorrow (November 5th), I'm participating in the I'm Thankful for my Readers blog hop  on my other blog, Mama Diaries.  I am very thankful for all of my followers here!  To show my appreciation, I will be giving away an Amazon gift card.  Please stop by and comment, so you can have a chance to win!