San Diego Vacation - Balboa Park Botanical Bldg & Gardens

 1.  Botanical Building with Lily Pond

As a Missouri Master Gardener, I can appreciate the skills needed to have beautiful gardens in the middle of the summer!  In Missouri, the best time to tour gardens is in May/June as they quickly become a challenge as the drought season takes over by the end of July and into August.  I was very happy to be in southern California to see and learn about plants that can tolerate low water.  I also noticed an overall friendliness for plants that attract pollinators and butterflies.  I'm so impressed as these gardening masters have a larger variety of plants that grow year-round and get so big!  We may be able to grow some of the same varieties but they are only for a relatively short season.

One of the world's largest wood lath structures was built in 1915 and contains over 2.100 permanent tropical plants along with seasonal floral and plant displays.  There is also a carnivorous plant bog.  Including the Botanical Building and Lily Pond, there are 10 garden/horticulture attractions and I visited eight of them.  When there was a plant name tagged, I usually noted it but much of the gardens are just there to enjoy without tags and that's just fine.  I took photos of what impressed me the most but so much more was just there for the momentary experience of beauty as one walks along inviting paths enriching the soul.

The two end plants are Crown Plants; a type of milkweed loaded with monarch caterpillars in all stages!

Can you see the hungry caterpillar?

The gardens are scattered all over Balboa Park.  During the time I was visiting the museums, I would break away from the indoors and enjoy some time outdoors and walked through each garden as I came upon one on my way to the next museum.  Several of them had hiking paths and were quite vigorous!  It was a good balance and gave me the time needed to reflect on the wonderful things I saw and learned.

2.  Alcazar Garden

3.  Moreton Bay Fig Tree viewed from theNAT

3.  Moreton Bay Fig Tree

4.  Desert Garden Overview

4.  Desert Garden

4.  Desert Garden

4.  Desert Garden

4.  Desert Garden

5.  Next to the Desert Garden is the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden

5.  Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden

5.  Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden

5.  Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden

5.  Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden

5.  Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden

5.  Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden

5.  Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden

6.  Zoro Garden

6.  Zoro Garden

6.  Zoro Garden

7.  Palm Canyon

I saved the biggest and best garden for last because it I knew it would take at least couple hours.  The Japanese Friendship Garden of San Diego has 16 points of interest and 22 if one wanted to do the self-guided audio tour using a smart phone.  I just wanted to walk around on my own and stay as long as I wanted at the places that interested me the most.  I certainly was tired by the time I was done walking but my soul was energized!

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden - Charles C. Dail Memorial Gate

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden - Light of Friendship

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden - Bonsai Exhibit

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden - Bonsai Exhibit

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden - Koi Pond

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden - Dragon Bridge

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden - Cherry Tree Grove & Azalea/Camellia Gardens

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden - Dry Waterfall

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden - Crepe Myrtles

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden - Pathway with beautiful flower

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden - Inamori Pavilion with heron on roof

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden

8.  Japanese Friendship Garden

The other two gardens I did not see on this trip were the Veterans Memorial Garden and the Old Cactus Garden.  Both were farther away near the museums I didn't want to see at this time.  There are many other attractions in Balboa Park but I almost had all I could handle!  One final trip was planned for Saturday with my son for an all-day experience at The San Diego Zoo!!!!!  That will be the subject of my next post...