One of many highlights of our recent trip to San Antonio was visiting the San Antonio Botanical Garden with Jean at Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog. A resident of the area, Jean shared helpful gardening and historical information, and we had some fun discussions.
The botanical garden had some impressive edibles growing in beautiful displays.
The displays included information about the plants and required growing conditions.
In many cases, the edibles and ornamentals were interplanted, which is always fun to see and do.
Other highlights of the botanical garden included this former limestone quarry, which was transformed into a public waterworks system for the city in 1877. Now a beautiful sunken garden, it features a staggered seating area, climbing vines, and beautiful stonework.
Some of the displays were unique--for example, Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana), Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris), and Prickly Pear Cacti (Opuntia spp.) growing in a display together.
We visited during the gardens' Orchid Celebration, which was fabulous. I took so many photos, but the only name plate I captured was this healthy Noble Rock Orchid (Dendrobium nobile).
The others were, of course, incredibly lovely and colorful, too.
An extra bonus was that the Texas Bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis) were just beginning to bloom--at the botanical garden and throughout the surrounding area.
It was one of many beautiful days in a beautiful part of the state and a lovely region of the country.
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This is another botanic garden I'd like to see. I love the orchid display! I remember how impressed I was when Shirley of Rock-Oak-Deer posted on San Antonio's then new family adventure garden - it was SO much better than the 50+ year old children's garden at my local botanic garden, only now finally under renovation.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a fun botanical garden. Very warm and welcoming, too. The orchid show was amazing, but the entire place was great!
DeleteI enjoyed this post Beth, thank you.
ReplyDeleteI just shared with my husband that we should grow chard this season. Can you believe I have never eaten it or grown it!!!
You are so welcome, Carla. Thanks for stopping by. Swiss Chard is beautiful, but I must admit I'm not a fan of it as an edible. There are so many other similar choices that my palate enjoys. But I know some people really like it.
DeleteWould love to see the lupines, how lucky you got to see the Orchid Celebration!
ReplyDeleteYes, the Bluebonnets were fun to see. :) And the Orchid event was amazing!
DeleteI wondered from your last post if you'd visited the Botanic Gardens and see that you did! Nice! I haven't been there in a while; I guess a quick drive south on I35 is in order, after reading this great post!
ReplyDeleteHi Tina: Yes, the botanical garden was a highlight. You're so fortunate to live relatively close. Next time I'm in Texas (I hope it will happen before too long), maybe we can meet. Or maybe we can meet at another garden communicators event. :)
DeleteYou've had some fun travels. Love the Texas Bluebonnets and oh! Those orchids!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a great trip! And San Antonio is a fabulous place to be in February and March.
DeleteReally enjoyed this blog post, so much color! What a wonderful trip, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hollis. Yes, Texas blooms and grows long before we do. Great place for northerners to get away during part of the winter.
Delete(I'm re-sending this as it went through as anonymous last time!) This looks like a wonderful day, Beth, and it's all so lovely! When I was last in San Antonio, some 11 years ago, I didn't realize they had a botanical garden! I did get to visit the Ladybird Johnson garden in Austin, though. Love those bluebonnets! And how nice you got to go with another blogger!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the re-send, Kimberley. :) Yes, the botanical garden is lovely, and we had a great time that day. The temperatures were perfect and the plants were fabulous. It was pouring the day (a few years ago) that I visited the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, so I need to get back there to really explore it under better conditions.
DeleteThe lettuce and orchids are beautiful, but you can't beat a Texas bluebonnet.
ReplyDeleteSo true! I was thrilled that the Bluebonnets had started blooming while we were there. It was fabulous to see so many lush edibles already growing outdoors down there, too. We can't start ours outside until late April.
DeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Thanks, Lea. I'm missing San Antonio now that winter is back at home. But the memories are great and spring is on its way here in S. Wisconsin. Cheers!
DeleteBellissimi immagini! Si respira proprio l'aria di inizio primavera :)
ReplyDeleteUn caro saluto!
Thank you for the beautiful greeting. :)
DeleteThank you for the tour of this wonderful garden. Even the edibles look beautiful! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt was great fun, Lee. The edibles growing so lush in February were so uplifting and beautiful, as you say. Happy spring!
DeleteWhat a wonderful day and I love the pictures. The lettuce surprised me. It took a second to realize the way they were planted together created a flower. That was original.
ReplyDeleteJeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
Thanks, Jeannie. Yes, it was all very impressive, and the lettuces were beautiful in addition to looking delicious. :)
DeleteI also like the name URL option. I would like to be able to click thru when I see a comment from a new to me name.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteIt's really a nice and helpful piece of information. Thank you
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