A Tour of Naples Botanical Garden

Driving up to the Naples Botanical Garden in the seaside town of Naples, Florida, you can't help but notice the bromeliads. They are everywhere in shocking oranges, yellows, reds and greens, scattered among the snow-white stone mulch. Even on a cloudy, surprisingly chilly day in February, the contemporary design cheered the mood of our small group.

Opened in November 2009, the Naples Botanical Garden has 170 acres with various gardens, including The Florida Garden and The Asian Garden (not yet completed). The botanical garden also features an 90-acre nature sanctuary with seven different ecosystems -- not to mention, giant pines, twisted mangroves and unspoiled marshes that are home to eagles, otters and gopher tortoises.

On my visit, I had the chance to tour the three completed gardens, including the charming Children's Garden.

The Vicky C. and David Byron Smith Children's Garden is an interactive world with butterflies, flowers, edibles and play spaces. Front and center is the two-story tree house, complete with climbing platforms and rope bridges. Robinson Crusoe would feel right at home here, and your kids (of all ages) would no doubt feel the same way.

An amazing banana tree (Musa 'Saba') flanks the entrance of this children's hideaway. Look closely and you'll see this plant has a number of bananas almost ready to pick. The huge purple flower offers enough wow-power to make this tree worth growing, even if you don't like the fruit.

Talk about the ultimate playhouse. This kid's sized cracker house garden invites you to meander among the fragrant flowers, herbs and vegetables.

Off in the corner, a Hidden Garden inspires the imagination of children.

Flowers, vegetables and herbs sprout from strange places, such as these handbags of all shapes.

The imaginative displays are located at kids' eye levels, which encourages them to smell and touch the plants.

Even young boys might be surprised where flowers and vegetables can turn up.

The message of the Children's Garden is loud and clear: Please Touch! Colored chalk invites kids to play, imagine and draw their impressions on the sidewalk of the garden.

Butterflies are the main attraction of the Pfeffer-Beach Butterfly House, where a variety of brightly colored species can be seen fluttering around the flowering plants.

Travel further down the path to the Brazilian Garden, and you'll see a celebration of the South American country's rich diversity of flora.

The bold, dynamic garden is a tribute to Roberto Burle Marx, known internationally as the "father of modern landscape architecture." Already a popular spot for weddings, the Brazilian Garden was designed by Raymond Jungles, who was a fan and friend of the world-renowned landscape architect for many years.

The Kapnick Carribean Garden is further down the path with landscapes that reflect the Caribbean Islands. And...as can happen, when one is in the Caribbean, the skies opened up and poured rain down upon us.

So, after taking shelter in this cute Caribbean house, we reluctantly headed back home. But we can't wait to return, especially to tour the highly anticipated Asian Garden and Florida Garden still under development.

As for the garden's spectacular bromeliads, well let's just say I'm a big fan now. In fact, I'll never look at these semi-tropical and tropical plants the same way again.

Learn more: http://www.naplesgarden.org/

Going Native - North Carolina Style

The North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill knows plenty about going native. In fact, this 600-acre botanical garden is all about helping the public better understand and appreciate native plants. As you can see from the praying mantis above, the beneficial insects feel quite at home here too.

The conservation garden is affiliated with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and features 2,500 of the 4,700 native or naturalized plant species known to grow in North and South Carolina. Not to mention herbs and other plants from around the globe.

Recently, I had the good fortune to see several of these native plants myself during the Garden Writers Association 2009 symposium.

The garden's trails travel through various natural habitats. Above Coreopsis gladiata (aka coastal plain tickseed) mingles beautifully with Euonymus americanus to create a stunning late-September scene.

Euonymus americanus can be found in forests throughout the southeastern United States. Other names for this pretty perennial include 'strawberry bush' and 'hearts-bustin'-with-love.' Incidentally, I called upon Helen Yoest of Gardening with Confidence for help in identifying this eyecatching plant.

One of my personal favorites was the American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), which has the most luscious purple berries. The long-lasting berries are an important food source for many birds, as well as foxes, racoons and white-tailed deer. I particularly liked the way the shrub was pruned to grow up this trellace by the lily pond, which is home to colorful Koi fish. It's a great example of how native plants can fit easily into different home garden settings.

More than 40 pieces of sculptures by 24 artists are scattered around as part of the garden's 21st annual Sculpture in the Garden exhibit, on display until Nov. 15.  This spiral sculpture is named "Mandala of the Earth and Sky," and was created by Frank Holder.

Watch out bugs! This pitcherplant has tubular leaves that snatch up insects, making it a very effective bug catcher as well as a lovely addition to your garden. You'll find plenty of unusual plants here. In fact, the North Carolina Botanical Garden has one of the best carnivorous plant collections in the Southeast.

Nestled among the rare plants are a number of stunning cacti, which just happened to be blooming during our visit. Aren't those flowers a heavenly pink?

Sculptures. Native and rare plants. Well-shaded walking trails. The North Carolina Botanical Garden has a little something for everyone and it's definitely worth a visit. Best of all, it's open year round. So, if you're in the Raleigh-Durham area, take some time to go native. You'll be glad you did.

Learn more about the North Carolina Botanical Garden.

A Tour of Montrose Gardens

Reaching Montrose Gardens in Hillsborough, North Carolina is a pleasant affair. The scenic road into these nationally-known gardens (now part of The Garden Conservancy) passes by charming cafés, elegant shops and art galleries, not to mention 19th century homes perched majestically on lush green lawns.

The picturesque setting is what one would expect from such a historically important place as Hillsborough. Established in 1754, the town was a hub of political activity during the colonial and revolutionary years. But for garden lovers, it’s probably best known as the home of Montrose Gardens.

I happened to find myself in this lovely spot during a recent Garden Writers Association symposium tour. Unfortunately, I was fighting a cold at the time, and it was the last tour on a chilly autumn day.

It wasn’t until I returned home that I found myself continually thinking of my time at Montrose Gardens. Once I looked over my pictures, I saw why these gardens have won the hearts of so many over the years.

Montrose Garden's famous landscapes originated in the 19th century, when the 61 acre property first belonged to Governor and Mrs. William Alexander Graham.

Nancy Goodwin – a noted plantswoman and author – is most responsible, however, for the national recognition garnered by the gardens.

Goodwin and her husband bought the property in 1977. The couple then greatly expanded the gardens, and began operating the Montrose Nursery on the site in 1984.

Before long, The New York Times called the nursery “one of the best small mail-order sources of rare and unusual plants in the country.”

Montrose Nursery was later closed in 1993, and the house added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

Today, the gardens are open to the public by appointment only. This ensures future generations will have the chance to enjoy these lovely themed gardens for many years to come.

Learn more about Montrose Gardens.