Whenever we visit a city we find out first if they have a botanical garden that will be convenient to visit. Our trip to Geneva was no exception and they do have a botanical garden that is rather centrally located, or at least a twenty minute leisurely walk from Mont Blanc bridge.
Geneva Botanical Garden is bordered to the east by Lake Geneva and is directly connected by beautiful parks at the city's right bank (Quai Wilson lake promenade). It is worth bypassing public transport and just walk along the bank towards the botanical garden from the old town as the sceneries going there are beautiful.
The botanical garden turned out to be much, much better than we anticipated. In fact it is one of the nicest ones we have been to in Europe apart from the UK. It is petit but very nice! You can tell that it is a well funded one, not surprising considering that Geneva is a very affluent city in the first place. We spent a wonderful afternoon there exploring it's several glasshouses and outdoor spaces.
To start of a series of features is a quick look at the first glasshouse we saw as we entered this lovely garden - the Temperate Glasshouse.
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| A compact yet pretty glasshouse |
A Phoenix canariensis is right in front of the main entrance to this glasshouse which is probably just wheeled straight in to it during the winter months.
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| Looking back from the entrance |
Then looking in you are greeted by towering plants.
Each alcove is designated it's own climactic zone and planting scheme. Their plant collection is modest but they are well maintained.
And then there's the canopy/elevated walkway...
From there you get a different view of their 'spiky zones'...
After a good look around it was time to explore the other areas. Looking back...
Petit but very nice!
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
What a well-maintained greenhouse! Everything looks great. But oh, those tree ferns! Be still my heart!
ReplyDeleteI know, to be surrounded by towering tree ferns! Sigh...
DeleteWhat a find! I love making discoveries like that, especially when they're unexpected. No surprise that it's well funded. Is ANYTHING in Switzerland not well funded, LOL?
ReplyDeleteSeriously beautiful architecture and plants--and the locations sounds pretty darn perfect, too.
We have friends in Geneva but it's been 20+ years since our last visit. Where has time gone?
Time flies, perhaps it's time to do another whirlwind trip through Europe Gerhard? :))
DeleteAnd yes, unsurprisingly well funded. This is Switzerland after all....
Beautiful! I wait to see the rest of the series.
ReplyDeleteWill be on its way!
DeleteSmall can be nice, particularly when you're traveling and there's a lot to see. Like Evan, I was impressed by how well-maintained it was but I suppose that's very Swiss.
ReplyDeleteVery Swiss! The country is pristine, only eclipsed by Norway me thinks!
DeleteOnce inside it looks bigger than it appears at first, lovely!
ReplyDeleteAmazing how ample the space is inside compared to how it comes across outside.
DeleteThe first sentence might be said about us too. Never been to Geneva mind you. D
ReplyDeleteYou should pay it a visit Dave, you'd love it! Rather underrated, it's a beautiful city for a short break.
DeleteVery nice. The cacti are impressive!
ReplyDeleteVery nice and beautifully maintained!
ReplyDelete