The Huntington, San Marino, California

The botanical garden at The Huntington is part of a much larger organization that includes an art collection and an archive of rare books and manuscripts. The garden itself is divided into themed sub-gardens, including one dedicated to California’s native plants. I loved the Australian garden, complete with kangaroo paws, orange groves, blue hibiscus, eucalyptus, and mint bushes. The herb garden contains many varieties that have long fallen out of everyday use. Check out the tussie-mussie bed to learn how these handheld bouquets of yesteryear would contain hidden messages!

Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver, Colorado

While Denver might make you think of mountains, the Denver Botanic Gardens will take you through multiple landscapes and climate zones — all within 24 acres. The Gardens of the West will be of huge interest to ecologically minded travelers, since it demonstrates the resilience (and beauty!) of drought-resistant species. The garden hosts a lot of community events, especially during the summer: musical theater programs for kids, a summer concert series, and an annual plant sale.

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