Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Country Living

Around the World in 50 Amazing Gardens

Caroline Picard
6 min read
Plant, Garden, Flower, Shrub, Petal, Botany, Flowering plant, Spring, Groundcover, Majorelle blue,
Around the World in 50 Amazing Gardens


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

From Austria to New Zealand, the globe is full of beautiful blooms and unique landscaping styles.

Petrin Hill, Czech Republic

Prague's famous hillside park offers amazing views of the city, plus a replica of the Eiffel Tower.

Branch, Tree, Woody plant, Spire, Landmark, Steeple, Blossom, Spring, Twig, Groundcover,
Branch, Tree, Woody plant, Spire, Landmark, Steeple, Blossom, Spring, Twig, Groundcover,

Andromeda Botanic Gardens, Barbados

Tropical plants and trees fill this lush Caribbean oasis.

Vegetation, Nature, Plant, Plant community, Garden, Shrub, Woody plant, Botany, Terrestrial plant, Arecales,
Vegetation, Nature, Plant, Plant community, Garden, Shrub, Woody plant, Botany, Terrestrial plant, Arecales,

National Gardens, Greece

Athens' historic gardens (unsurprisingly) contain ancient ruins and Corinthian columns.

Plant, Garden, Flower, Shrub, Sculpture, Groundcover, Park, Wildflower, Pedestal, Memorial,
Plant, Garden, Flower, Shrub, Sculpture, Groundcover, Park, Wildflower, Pedestal, Memorial,

Garden of Dreams, Nepal

Originally a private garden, the Kathmandu tourist destination has a pavilion for each of Nepal's six seasons: spring, summer, monsoon, autumn, pre-winter, and winter.

Plant, Shrub, Garden, Woody plant, Arecales, Flowering plant, Groundcover, Park, Lavender, Walkway,
Plant, Shrub, Garden, Woody plant, Arecales, Flowering plant, Groundcover, Park, Lavender, Walkway,

Tivoli Gardens, Denmark

Located in the capital of Copenhagen, the whimsical fantasyland is also a famous amusement park.

Plant, Garden, Flower, Petal, Water feature, Botany, Park, Groundcover, Fountain, Flowering plant,
Plant, Garden, Flower, Petal, Water feature, Botany, Park, Groundcover, Fountain, Flowering plant,

Bahai Shrine, Israel

The 19 terraces of the Hanging Gardens of Haifa have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gardens extend for more than half a mile up the side of Mount Carmel, with beautiful views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea.

Tree, Garden, Landscape, Shrub, Dome, Landmark, Dome, Byzantine architecture, Roof, Groundcover,
Tree, Garden, Landscape, Shrub, Dome, Landmark, Dome, Byzantine architecture, Roof, Groundcover,

Powis Castle, Wales

A classic example of Baroque garden design, the medieval castle also boasts 30-foot high yew hedges.

Vegetation, Building, Landmark, Shrub, Castle, History, Garden, Medieval architecture, Middle ages, Historic site,
Vegetation, Building, Landmark, Shrub, Castle, History, Garden, Medieval architecture, Middle ages, Historic site,

Las Pozas, Mexico

Late British multimillionaire Edward James built this fantastical jungle oasis, inspired by surrealists like Salvador Dali.

Wood, Plant, Shrub, Botany, Garden, Wind chime, Landscaping, Perennial plant, Column, Botanical garden,
Wood, Plant, Shrub, Botany, Garden, Wind chime, Landscaping, Perennial plant, Column, Botanical garden,

El Sitio Roberto Burle Marx, Brazil

Famous landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx didn't skimp on his own residence. Besides the thousands of rare plants, the estate also features a 17th-century chapel.

Plant, Shrub, Garden, Landscape, Botany, Groundcover, Arecales, Yard, Backyard, Landscaping,
Plant, Shrub, Garden, Landscape, Botany, Groundcover, Arecales, Yard, Backyard, Landscaping,

Queluz National Palace, Portugal

King Pedro III built this palace in 1747 as a summer residence, but the estate is so beautiful it soon became the Royal Family's permanent home.

Plant, Garden, Water feature, Fountain, Shrub, Palace, Hedge, Mansion, Villa, Courtyard,
Plant, Garden, Water feature, Fountain, Shrub, Palace, Hedge, Mansion, Villa, Courtyard,

Bogor Botanical Garden, Indonesia

An hour away from Jakarta, this large park has over 400 species of palm trees and some 3,000 types of orchids.

Grass, Plant, Natural landscape, Garden, Landscape, Pond, Plain, Land lot, Park, Wetland,
Grass, Plant, Natural landscape, Garden, Landscape, Pond, Plain, Land lot, Park, Wetland,

Jardin Majorelle, Morocco

French designer Yves Saint Laurent bought and then restored this bright blue villa in order to save it from a hotel development project.

Blue, Fluid, Majorelle blue, Fountain, Garden, Water feature, Azure, Shrub, Arecales, Landscaping,
Blue, Fluid, Majorelle blue, Fountain, Garden, Water feature, Azure, Shrub, Arecales, Landscaping,

Peterhof Palace, Russia

Peter the Great built his seaside palace to outshine all of the European courts, including Versailles. The resulting gardens, dotted with gilded fountains and statues, wow thousands of visitors today.

Window, Landmark, Garden, Sculpture, Hedge, Palace, Mansion, Official residence, Manor house, Shrub,
Window, Landmark, Garden, Sculpture, Hedge, Palace, Mansion, Official residence, Manor house, Shrub,

La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Costa Rica

A series of bridges and platforms leads guest to five cascading waterfalls, all tucked away in the middle of the jungle.

Body of water, Nature, Vegetation, Natural landscape, Natural environment, Water resources, Stream, Landscape, Leaf, Nature reserve,
Body of water, Nature, Vegetation, Natural landscape, Natural environment, Water resources, Stream, Landscape, Leaf, Nature reserve,

Ayrlies Garden, New Zealand

Owner Beverly McConnell has devoted over fifty years her life to landscaping these twelve acres — and the result is breathtaking.

Vegetation, Plant, Garden, Shrub, Flower, Plant community, Landscape, Botany, Flowering plant, Terrestrial plant,
Vegetation, Plant, Garden, Shrub, Flower, Plant community, Landscape, Botany, Flowering plant, Terrestrial plant,

Sch?nbrunn Palace, Austria

The Hapsburgs built their Viennese paradise complete with a maze, orangery, and multiple fountains.

Garden, Plant, Shrub, Landscape, Dome, Botany, Park, Groundcover, Dome, Landscaping,
Garden, Plant, Shrub, Landscape, Dome, Botany, Park, Groundcover, Dome, Landscaping,

Shalimar Garden, Pakistan

A World Heritage Site, the Lahore gardens are known for their extensive water gardens and Mughal architecture.

Body of water, Reflection, Water resources, Water, Architecture, Waterway, Landmark, Bridge, Watercourse, Reflecting pool,
Body of water, Reflection, Water resources, Water, Architecture, Waterway, Landmark, Bridge, Watercourse, Reflecting pool,

Gardens By the Bay, Singapore

Opened in 2012, this ambitious 250-acre park features 18 "supertrees"— vertical gardens reaching up to 160 feet tall.

Blue, Majorelle blue, Colorfulness, Woody plant, Magenta, Landmark, Art, Garden, Landscaping, Water feature,
Blue, Majorelle blue, Colorfulness, Woody plant, Magenta, Landmark, Art, Garden, Landscaping, Water feature,

Villa d'Este, Italy

Located on Lake Como (yes, George Clooney's favorite vacation spot), the renowned Renaissance garden dates back to 1560.

Garden, Historic site, Arch, Monument, Sculpture, Temple, Memorial, Stone carving, Landscaping, Mausoleum,
Garden, Historic site, Arch, Monument, Sculpture, Temple, Memorial, Stone carving, Landscaping, Mausoleum,

Exbury Gardens, England

Hundreds of rhododendrons and azaleas make the Hampshire gardens a riot of color in the spring. Don't skip a ride on the steam railway through the swathes of perennials.

Nature, Plant, Shrub, Garden, Flower, Landscape, Tree, Reflection, Woody plant, Pond,
Nature, Plant, Shrub, Garden, Flower, Landscape, Tree, Reflection, Woody plant, Pond,

Mount Stewart, Ireland

Although local mythology inspired the Shamrock Garden, Spanish and Italian gardens are also featured on the éire estate.

Window, Plant, Shrub, Garden, Flower, Groundcover, Lavender, Purple, Yard, Lawn,
Window, Plant, Shrub, Garden, Flower, Groundcover, Lavender, Purple, Yard, Lawn,

Butchart Gardens, Canada

After entrepreneur Robert Pim Butchart exhausted a limestone quarry on Vancouver Island, his enterprising wife Jennie transformed the gigantic pit into a gorgeous Sunken Garden.

Shrub, Plant, Garden, Landscape, Plant community, Flower, Botany, Groundcover, Biome, Park,
Shrub, Plant, Garden, Landscape, Plant community, Flower, Botany, Groundcover, Biome, Park,

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, South Africa

Table Mountain overshadows the Cape Town attraction, which showcases native African flora.

Vegetation, Mountainous landforms, Natural landscape, Plant community, Tree, Mountain, Garden, Hill, Shrub, Grassland,
Vegetation, Mountainous landforms, Natural landscape, Plant community, Tree, Mountain, Garden, Hill, Shrub, Grassland,

Generalife, Spain

Built by Muslim royalty between the 12th and 14th centuries, the summer palace is now one of the oldest surviving Moorish gardens.

Plant, Garden, Water feature, Walkway, Shrub, Villa, Courtyard, Yard, Hedge, Symmetry,
Plant, Garden, Water feature, Walkway, Shrub, Villa, Courtyard, Yard, Hedge, Symmetry,

Monet's Garden, France

The famous Giverny property inspired some of Claude Monet's most well-known works, like the Water Lilies series.

Plant, Flower, Purple, Shrub, Petal, Flowering plant, Wildflower, Groundcover, Garden, Spring,
Plant, Flower, Purple, Shrub, Petal, Flowering plant, Wildflower, Groundcover, Garden, Spring,

Humble Administrator's Garden, China

The Suzhou garden, consisting of numerous connected islands, is over a thousand years old.

Plant, Garden, Shrub, Petal, Flower, Landscape, Botany, Pond, Groundcover, Park,
Plant, Garden, Shrub, Petal, Flower, Landscape, Botany, Pond, Groundcover, Park,

Royal Botanical Garden, Bhutan

The mountainous Buddhist kingdom doesn't take its flora lightly — the Himalayan country just planted 108,000 saplings in honor of the new royal baby.

Flower, Pink, Sculpture, Purple, Petal, Garden, Magenta, Lawn ornament, Shrub, Trunk,
Flower, Pink, Sculpture, Purple, Petal, Garden, Magenta, Lawn ornament, Shrub, Trunk,

Kenroku-en, Japan

As one of the three great gardens of Japan, this park is known for combining the six aspects of a perfect landscape: spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, waterways, and panoramas.

Vegetation, Branch, Plant, Shrub, Natural landscape, Garden, Woody plant, Botany, Pond, Groundcover,
Vegetation, Branch, Plant, Shrub, Natural landscape, Garden, Woody plant, Botany, Pond, Groundcover,

Soroa Orchid Garden, Cuba

More than 20,000 orchids cover this park, which is located in the westernmost part of the island nation.

Plant, Flower, Twig, Botany, Flowering plant, Petal, Purple, Terrestrial plant, Lavender, Pedicel,
Plant, Flower, Twig, Botany, Flowering plant, Petal, Purple, Terrestrial plant, Lavender, Pedicel,

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Sigiriya, also known as Lion Rock, is a 600-foot-tall stone column with an ancient palace built right on top. The landscaped gardens, built some 2,500 years ago, are some of the oldest in the world.

Stairs, Trunk, Garden, Woodland, Park, Landscaping,
Stairs, Trunk, Garden, Woodland, Park, Landscaping,

Keukenhof Gardens, Netherlands

More than 7 million tulip bulbs (and 800 varieties!) wind along the river of this Dutch park.

Plant, Garden, Flower, Shrub, Petal, Botany, Flowering plant, Spring, Groundcover, Majorelle blue,
Plant, Garden, Flower, Shrub, Petal, Botany, Flowering plant, Spring, Groundcover, Majorelle blue,

Shalimar Bagh, India

The Mughal estate is well known for its chini khanas: illuminated niches behind garden waterfalls.

Deciduous, Branch, Leaf, Tree, Autumn, Woody plant, Botany, Park, Garden, Trunk,
Deciduous, Branch, Leaf, Tree, Autumn, Woody plant, Botany, Park, Garden, Trunk,

Parque Tayrona, Colombia

On the Caribbean coast of Colombia, this national park features sandy white beaches, archeological ruins, and the highest coastal mountain in the world

Vegetation, Nature, Natural environment, Garden, Woody plant, Botany, Forest, Terrestrial plant, Plantation, Trail,
Vegetation, Nature, Natural environment, Garden, Woody plant, Botany, Forest, Terrestrial plant, Plantation, Trail,

Liberty Square, Taiwan

Flanked by three major landmarks, the enormous promenade is dotted with parks and ponds, which are filled with colorful koi fish.

Plant, Cloud, Flower, Garden, Chinese architecture, Botany, Petal, Japanese architecture, Groundcover, Magenta,
Plant, Cloud, Flower, Garden, Chinese architecture, Botany, Petal, Japanese architecture, Groundcover, Magenta,

Akureyri Botanical Garden, Iceland

One of the northernmost conservatories in the world, the garden features both native Icelandic and foreign species.

Plant, Window, Flower, Pink, Petal, House, Garden, Flowering plant, Home, Cottage,
Plant, Window, Flower, Pink, Petal, House, Garden, Flowering plant, Home, Cottage,

Inhotim, Brazil

Art buffs, take note: Inhotim is both a renowned botanical garden and modern sculpture gallery.

Vegetation, Nature, Plant, Natural landscape, Landscape, Woody plant, Terrestrial plant, Arecales, Plantation, Trunk,
Vegetation, Nature, Plant, Natural landscape, Landscape, Woody plant, Terrestrial plant, Arecales, Plantation, Trunk,

Royal Botanic Gardens, Australia

Sydney skyscrapers tower over this urban oasis, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.

Plant, Tower, Tower block, Plant community, Tree, Garden, Woody plant, Shrub, Metropolitan area, Skyscraper,
Plant, Tower, Tower block, Plant community, Tree, Garden, Woody plant, Shrub, Metropolitan area, Skyscraper,

Asticou Azalea Garden, United States

In a effort to save the plant collection of a prominent Maine estate, a local resident sought the support of the Rockefeller family to purchase the shrubs in 1956. The result is this breathtaking coastal garden which incorporates traditional Japanese elements.

Vegetation, Nature, Natural landscape, Shrub, Garden, Landscape, Plant community, Pond, Reflection, Botany,
Vegetation, Nature, Natural landscape, Shrub, Garden, Landscape, Plant community, Pond, Reflection, Botany,

Tropical Spice Garden, Malaysia

The symbol for this eco-tourist destination in Southeast Asia is the Bunga Kantan flower, or "Torch Ginger," which is as tasty as it is beautiful.

Vegetation, Nature, Plant, Natural landscape, Plant community, Landscape, Nature reserve, Shrub, Forest, Terrestrial plant,
Vegetation, Nature, Plant, Natural landscape, Plant community, Landscape, Nature reserve, Shrub, Forest, Terrestrial plant,

National Kandawgyi Botanical Gardens, Myanmar

Originally modeled after London's Kew Gardens, the Burmese grounds now feature distinct elements like a 200-foot-tall tower and orchid garden.

Plant, Garden, Flower, Shrub, Groundcover, Botany, Park, Lavender, Flowering plant, Plantation,
Plant, Garden, Flower, Shrub, Groundcover, Botany, Park, Lavender, Flowering plant, Plantation,

San Grato Park, Switzerland

Situated high above Lake Lugano, this mountaintop garden boasts five themed paths through its collection of azaleas and rhododendrons, including the "Fairytale Trail."

Shrub, Plant community, Petal, Flower, Magenta, Purple, Pink, Garden, Woody plant, Botany,
Shrub, Plant community, Petal, Flower, Magenta, Purple, Pink, Garden, Woody plant, Botany,

Mae Fah Luang Garden, Thailand

Originally a village along an important trade route, the dense valley settlement relocated when it ran out of space. The vacated land then became a temperate flower garden.

Plant, Garden, Shrub, Landscape, Flower, Park, Botany, Groundcover, Landscaping, Yard,
Plant, Garden, Shrub, Landscape, Flower, Park, Botany, Groundcover, Landscaping, Yard,

Gothenburg Botanical Garden, Sweden

One of Europe's largest gardens, the Scandinavian escape houses a rare Easter Island tree, which is extinct in its natural environment.

Grass, Shrub, Plant, Garden, Flower, Plant community, Landscape, Purple, Lavender, Groundcover,
Grass, Shrub, Plant, Garden, Flower, Plant community, Landscape, Purple, Lavender, Groundcover,

Marsa Alam, Egypt

Stroll down the impressively-landscaped boardwalk at this budding tourist destination.

Plant, Flower, Street light, Garden, Petal, Arecales, Botany, Pole, Light fixture, Shrub,
Plant, Flower, Street light, Garden, Petal, Arecales, Botany, Pole, Light fixture, Shrub,

Devon House, Jamaica

The historic Kingston estate features lovely palm trees — and maybe more importantly a highly-acclaimed ice cream parlor.

Plant, Tree, Garden, Shrub, Arecales, Woody plant, Hedge, Park, Trunk, Landscaping,
Plant, Tree, Garden, Shrub, Arecales, Woody plant, Hedge, Park, Trunk, Landscaping,

Vina del Mar, Chile

The "Vineyard of the Sea" is also known as the Garden City, with the most famous flower bed being the "Reloj de Flores," or the flower clock.

Plant, Shrub, Garden, Petal, Flower, Landscape, Pink, Botany, Magenta, Groundcover,
Plant, Shrub, Garden, Petal, Flower, Landscape, Pink, Botany, Magenta, Groundcover,

Schloss Schwerin, Germany

The romantic castle, built out onto lake, features gardens that are just as dreamy.

Plant, Tree, Garden, Spire, Park, Water feature, Palace, Castle, Reflecting pool, Landscaping,
Plant, Tree, Garden, Spire, Park, Water feature, Palace, Castle, Reflecting pool, Landscaping,

Grand Place, Belgium

Every two years, hundreds of volunteers create an enormous flower carpet in front of Brussels' town hall. The spectacular display honors Belgium's status as the world's largest grower of begonias.

City, Public space, Landmark, Carpet, Palace, Town square, Metropolis, Classical architecture, Spire, Plaza,
City, Public space, Landmark, Carpet, Palace, Town square, Metropolis, Classical architecture, Spire, Plaza,

Eram Garden, Iran

The historic Persian landmark includes the Qavam House, a structure decorated with elaborate tiles.

Plant, Garden, Shrub, Stairs, Door, Mansion, Landscaping, Yard, Estate, Classical architecture,
Plant, Garden, Shrub, Stairs, Door, Mansion, Landscaping, Yard, Estate, Classical architecture,

Crathes Castle, Scotland

The 16th-century tower house has perfected its enormous gardens over the past 400 years, including show-stopping giant Himalayan lilies.

Plant, Flower, Shrub, Garden, Purple, Lavender, Flowering plant, Wildflower, Spring, Subshrub,
Plant, Flower, Shrub, Garden, Purple, Lavender, Flowering plant, Wildflower, Spring, Subshrub,

You Might Also Like

Advertisement
Advertisement