A Visit to the Fairchild Botanic Garden
I recently visited the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden recently to attend the International Aroid Society Show (more on that later). And it’s amazing.
The huge garden has been going since 1938. It’s known for its palms, cycads, and tropical trees (I was especially amazed by Kigelia africana which is not officially known as a “testicle tree,” though it should be). But I was there for the rainforest plants.
Here in San Francisco, I’m used to seeing tropical plants grown indoors, confined to pots and greenhouses. But in Miami, they thrive outdoors. Every palm tree has a Philodendron growing up it. Monstera with giant leaves are everywhere. Caladium grow outside! Tillandsia, orchids, and Anthurium fill the trees.
I love living in San Francisco, but all my favorite plants belong to the tropics.
See Also
The Critters of RF Orchids
My favorite part of RF Orchids wasn't the orchids.
A Visit to Quarryhill Botanical Garden
You drive by miles of grape groves, tidy lines on the hillsides, before getting to this oasis of wild nature. Yet, the place is also unnatural, as all of the plants come from half a world away.
First Bloom: Cirrhopetalum pulchellum
The whole spread is about an inch across.
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