Victory Garden South, where the PBS show has been filmed
My husband knows the routine; if we go out of town, horticultural areas of interest must be included in our itinerary. I am a plant nut and he’s a car enthusiast, so trips are researched with our two passions in mind. We have had ample opportunities to see lots of botanical gardens and car museums, traversing the eastern third of the US so far.
More people visit gardens each year than visit Disney World and Disney Land, combined– more than 40 million.
This fact comes from Jim Charlier, president of Garden Walk Buffalo and a member for the National Buffalo Garden Festival committee. Jim recently found out, sort of surprisingly, that he is the nation’s second leading expert on garden tourism. Jim really deserves the title, which was bestowed by Richard Benfield, author of the book “Garden Tourism.”
Jim and I used to work together in Buffalo, New York, where I was his boss many years ago. In the midst of middle age we have found gardening to be a shared passion, both of us tirelessly promote gardening. Jim’s efforts can be seen all over Buffalo. He has been a key person helping transform Buffalo’s rustbelt and snow image into desirable summer destination. Jim has been to gardens all over the world.
When you take your next trip consider researching what garden tourist stops the area has to offer. By being a garden tourist, you will not only increase your knowledge of plants, you will also support people who work hard to make the world a more beautiful place.
The preferred method of traveling by the Not-so-accidental Garden Tourist
Garden Tourism takes all forms
Wikipedia describes Garden tourism as a type of niche tourism involving visits or travel to botanical gardens and places which are significant in the history of gardening. Garden tourists often travel individually when they are in countries with which they are familiar, but often prefer to join organized garden tours in countries where they might experience difficulties with language, travel or finding accommodation in the vicinity of the garden.
When I was in college I spent a year in Italy studying and traveling all over Europe taking in many botanical areas of interest. Since then I have been to many lovely gardens, looking for inspiration for my garden design work and to just to smell the roses.
Consider visiting:
• Garden Tours and Walks- from Buffalo to Bali, get to see what’s behind the garden’s gate
• Botanical Gardens- improve your knowledge base about plants or just relax and sit a bit and take in the view
• Parks- take a walk down the garden paths, a great way to restore your equilibrium
• Nursery visits- don’t forget to patronize small independent nurseries who usually carry unique finds
• Theme Park Gardens- often have lovely gardens, great for those who are adverse to rides
• Seminars and workshops- take a stay-cation by attending a local event or plan for one while on the road
“I ended up talking and eating with several artists and musicians for the last 2 hours”
Garden Tours and Walks
Going on a tour or garden walk will give you the chance to see spaces that are normally off limits. I have meet many new friends behind the garden gate. I find gardeners are some of the happiest and most generous people around. Large concentrations of gardeners can help transform entire communities. India has a six year old garden tourism festival located at the Garden of Five Senses– sounds so exotic doesn’t it!
Back in the states consider shuffling off to Buffalo this summer! Check out my upcoming post on Garden Walk Buffalo.
Vicky, our Garden Fairy in Wisconsin, suggests getting out to see “real” things, as in “nature”. She suggests “Attend a workshops or seminars at your local private garden centers. I just went to a lovely event in Cable WI at a nursery that specializes in succulents where they had workshops all day long. I took one on making hypertufa planters and one on wild edibles. The sessions were held outdoors under big tents where several crafts people had booths. Live folk, blue grass and jazz was played all day and from 4:00-6:00 a local caterer served very nice canapes and you could buy wine or beer. Food was free, drinks $3. Quite a bargain. Going solo, I ended up talking and eating with several artists and musicians for the last 2 hours. It was quite enjoyable and off course I had to by some succulents, the variety was extraordinary.”
More reading:
Article on Jim Charlier http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/06/18/1086559/buffalo-must-develop-an-underappreciated.html
Jim’s Art of Gardening blog http://artofgardeningbuffalo.blogspot.com
Definition of botanical gardens
The second-leading expert on garden tourism is misleading- only because there is no one else, other than Mr, Benfield! Thanks for the accolades & plugs Siobhan. My intent is to make Buffalo thought of as a garden destination. Little the city has done over the years has made any impact on changing people’s perceptions of this much-maligned city. The whole rust-belt, snow-belt thing is SOO last century. If I can do my small part in changing Buffalo’s image, I’m all in. And it’s nice to be able to use my marketing, advertising, PR & design skills (some of which I gleaned from you) for good, as opposed to evil.
I should give credit to the nursery that hosted the Cable Garden Fest. Big Brook Greenhouse specializes in succulents. They have hundreds of different types and colors. You can view them on http://www.simplysucculents.com. They do quite a mail order business in succulent wreaths and topiary animals. Telemark Educational Foundation, Inc was the co-sponser in this “Gardening Adventure”.