No need to be alarmed. We are indeed, in Amsterdam. Welcome to one of the oldest Botanic Gardens in the world: de Hortus, right here in my neighbourhood. The above pictures are from the 3-climate greenhouse that is just one of the many highlights. The 3-climates being sub-tropical, tropical, and desert-dry. In other words, my kinda-climate. As soon as I walked into the space I recognised so many of the plants, I felt like I was home. And now that I’ve bought a pass to the gardens, I know exactly where I’ll be coming to get a dose of Aussie heat when it is the middle of winter here…
There is also the Palmhouse (seen above), another jaw-dropping structure that was built back in 1912 for Professor Hugo de Vries. And inside, I found this little set up you see below. My guess is that the last lecture was about how to grow herbs and vegetables in everyday left-over containers. How fabulous. It reminded me of why I have held on to my Milo tins…
Then there is the butterfly enclosure…
Just being amongst these beautiful creatures brings a smile to my face.
And oh, the succulents! For me, this wonderful hothouse was like being in a mini New Mexico. Well, very mini, but inspiring all the same.
The Orangery terrace café is also lovely, and French Boy and I indulged in a wonderful long Sunday lunch there, complete with wine and dessert.
I will be visiting this special place often and want to show you more of it’s features, but I couldn’t hold back any longer, I just had to show you what I found so far! There is so much to see at these gardens, and this is just a snippet for you, so I do hope you’ve enjoyed this little wander…
Author’s Note: Just after I finished writing this tonight we ducked out for some Indian at our local – being the first time I’d ventured outdoors for the day as it has been a rainy, windy, and all together damp day. But there appeared to be a break. So off we went. And we were out for no longer than 50 seconds before it started to pelt down. With hail. With hail!?!!
Check, please.
absolutely beautiful! Beautiful!
October 2nd, 2008 | #
and when I think many people know only the Red Light District…
October 2nd, 2008 | #
love it, pia! you are such a nature girl!
October 2nd, 2008 | #
could this be a potential soundscape, too?
October 2nd, 2008 | #
uhhmm…beautiful, love succulents so much !
Looking at this photos just gives me ideas of spending afternoons reading in places like this…a little read, a little stroll 🙂
October 2nd, 2008 | #
I looooove botanical gardens! What´s the name of that tree with the little “spikes” on it? (3rd photo of the first group) There´s lots of those here in Buenos Aires, they produce a pear-shaped fruit that in Spring falls and opens up and spreads a cottoney thing in the air (it happens to be now). It´s a great sight while waiting and preparing for the jacaranda flower season!
Happy wanders into the botanical garden! Please do report again. 🙂
October 2nd, 2008 | #
The gardens are lovely. Hail Pia?? Oh my that seems so hard to believe when we have been having such unusually warm weather here.
October 2nd, 2008 | #
hey, i’ve been hanging at the botanical gardens lately too!! it’s just soooo pretty and calm there. and i like very much watching people.
hug
October 2nd, 2008 | #
That butterfly shot is SO FABOO!!!!
October 2nd, 2008 | #
Wow! I loved seeing the town through your lens. Perfect afternoon!
October 3rd, 2008 | #