Roadtrip!

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Sometimes you just have to hit the open road. Getting out of town for a day or two to play tourist in a different city is a wonderful way to break up the monotony of our muggy summers. We are fortunate to live within daytrip distance of some fantastic gardens.

Kentucky has the Baker Arboretum in Bowling Green, Western Kentucky Botanical Gardens in Owensboro, Yew Dell in Crestwood, and the Waterfront Botanical Garden in Louisville are all within a 3 hour drive. Louisville also boasts a park system designed by the father of American landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted, in conjunction with his two sons.

If you happen to be heading south to the beach this summer, there are a couple stops you may want to make along the way for inspiration. The Atlanta Botanical Garden boasts living sculptures and something for everyone in your family. For those of you with Florida on the books, the Bok Tower and Gardens are just south of Disney and well worth the extra hour drive to see Olmsted’s impeccable design in a tropical environment. As for the tower, it hides a special ability. It sings!

We couldn’t talk about botanical road trips without mentioning the glimmering jewel of Asheville — the Biltmore. This stunning 1895 Chateau was built for George Vanderbilt, and the grounds and gardens were designed by, you guessed it, Frederick Law Olmsted. This may be the most expensive venture on our list, but it is well worth the trip.

Finally, we look westward to the Missouri Botanical Garden. It may be the largest on the list, and it has been at the top of my personal list for years. They boast 79 acres and over 51,000 plants. From their geodesic Climotron oasis to their 14 acre Japanese garden, this wonderland has everything — even a butterfly house! I’m so glad more botanical gardens are considering our winged friends & committing themselves to preserving their species.

Before you flutter away, take us with you! Our podcast Gardening Inside Out can be found on Youtube, Facebook, or your streaming platform of choice. Follow us on Instagram to see what’s new & blooming.

Sara Bates

*applies to in-store purchases through 7/31/25 only; excludes Japanese maples