April showers are said to bring May flowers, and yards look pretty prolific to me with color bursts everywhere. Makes me think of several well-known nearby gardens, like the Huntington gardens in San Marino, Descanso Gardens in La Canada and Sherman Gardens in Corona Del Mar.
It also conjures up memories of gardens like London’s Hyde Park and the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris.
If I were to travel now with a particular “theme” in mind, I’d choose to visit some of the famous gardens that offer a glimpse into ingenuity, culture and a reverence for nature.
Even though no evidence confirms their existence, I’m still fascinated with the legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon, supposedly built by Nebuchadnezzar II for his homesick wife. They were supposed to have cascading terraces and exotic flora that defied the arid Mesopotamian climate.
On the other hand, it’s a fact that in 17th century Netherlands, “Tulip Mania” saw bulbs valued like gold. Though the bubble burst, the Dutch passion endured, culminating in Keukenhof Gardens, where throngs of people take in the breathtaking celebration of tulips each spring.
Spain’s Generalife Gardens were the summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid rulers of the Alhambra, featuring lush courtyards, flowing water, and beautifully landscaped terraces where visitors are treated to aesthetic and spiritual refuge.
In contrast, London’s Kew Gardens, founded in 1759, became a hub for botanical research, influencing industries like rubber production. Today, it continues to be a pioneer of conservation and ecological studies.
Scotland’s Garden of Cosmic Speculation pushes the boundaries of what a garden can be, featuring spirals, geometric shapes and sculpted mounds inspired by designer Charles Jencks’ love of physics and math.
Meanwhile, Louis XIV took a more traditional approach with the Versailles Gardens in France, emphasizing grandeur and elaborate fountains.
The origins of Canada’s Butchart Gardens are quite different from European counterparts. In the early 1900s, Jennie Butchart transformed the scarred land of a barren limestone quarry into a lush retreat, proving nature’s resilience. What began as a personal project soon flourished into a world-renowned attraction where millions of visitors marvel at its vibrant floral displays, serene pathways and year-round beauty.
For those who appreciate simplicity, Kyoto, Japan, is home to the serene Zen gardens, including Ryoanji’s famous rock garden. Here, 15 carefully placed stones are arranged so that one is always hidden from view, embodying the Zen philosophy of imperfection and contemplation.
As you explore gardens near and far, one thing is clear: Each garden is a unique masterpiece, no two ever the same.
Writer, editor and speaker Cheryl Russell is a Laguna Woods Village resident. Contact her at Cheryl@starheart.com.