Auckland Botanic Gardens at Manurewa, South Auckland

Auckland Botanic Gardens at Manurewa, South Auckland

Before I worked in Auckland Botanic Gardens in November 2008, I took it for granted they are pretty gardens for people to enjoy. Auckland Botanic Gardens is located right next to the Southern Motorway (SH1) on Hill Road at Manurewa. Auckland Botanic Gardens is opened from 8am to 8pm during daylight saving hours (summer) and 8am to 6pm during non-daylight saving hours (winter). How I got the job at Auckland Botanic Gardens? There were only two specific positions I wanted to try, Gardener at Auckland Botanic Gardens and Park Ranger for Auckland Regional Parks.

After several follow-up emails, I got connected to the Manager in-charge of maintenance for Auckland Botanic Gardens. In early October, I was confirmed an internship as Gardener in Auckland Botanic Gardens. (Both Auckland Botanic Gardens and Regional Parks are under Auckland Regional Council.)

What I did at Auckland Botanic Gardens? Kiwi kids are generally surrounded by greenery and most have home gardens, hence, they seems genuinely interested when learning about parts of a flower and types of seeds.

Some of them also have their own vegetable garden and compost bin at home!

All my colleagues at Auckland Botanic Gardens are fit and look way younger than their actual age! It is amazing how working in the gardens can do wonders to health and youth!

After my enjoyable experience in Auckland Botanic Gardens, I added 1 new to-do in my life - to work in at least 10 different Botanic Gardens around the world during this lifetime!

On my last trip to Costa Rica in Feb. 05, while doing research for my botanical tour programs, I visited the three most important botanical gardens in this small Central American Republic - Wilson Botanical Gardens, Lankester Gardens and Arenal Botanical Gardens. If you are botanical enthusiast, it wouldn't hurt to visit all three venues. Wilson Botanical Garden

Located in southern Costa Rica near the Panamanian border at an elevation of 4500 feet above sea level, Wilson Botanical Garden covers an area over 25 acres and were designed in part by the famous landscape designer and architect, Roberto-Burle Marx. The gardens are operated by the Organization of Tropical Studies (OTS) as a center for research, scientific study and public education in tropical botany. Lankester Garden

Located in the Central Plateau near the historic colonial city of Cartago, Lankester Garden are operated by the University of Costa Rica. It's an easy 1-hour drive from San Jose. For several years, this facility was poorly maintained, however when I visited the gardens in Feb 2005,the gardens were in good shape as the University spent some money on upgrading the facility. Featuring over 1,100 different species of orchids including the most important collection in the world of the miniature Pleurothallids, Lankester is definitely the place to go if you're an orchid enthusiast. Walking inside their Orchidarium, I saw many unusual and colorful species of cattleyas, ladyslippers(Phragmepidiums), moth orchids (Phaelonopsis) oncidiums, stanhopeas as well as the tiny looking " dwarf orchids". Arenal Botanical Garden and Serpentarium

Located about 3 1/2 hours northwest of San Jose, Arenal Botanical Garden is situated on a sloped hillside directly across from Arenal Lake. These gardens are primarily a native species preservation project; it definitely has the wildest feel of the three described venues and features many native Costa Rican plants, trees and flowers in addition to a good selection of imported and introduced species. Boas, pythons and poisonous species are equally represented here

Sportfishing and windsurfing are two of the most popular activities at Arenal Lake, a large manmade lake, located just east of the volcano.

Founded in 1859, it is not only one of the oldest botanical gardens in the United States, but a National Historic Landmark as well. The Missouri Botanical Garden holds a number of incredible attractions in which visitors may take delight, from a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden to the impressive Climatron Conservatory. The Japanese garden - named Seiwa-en, which means 'pure, clear harmony and peace' - is the largest Japanese garden in the Western hemisphere. The Climatron Conservatory, a half-acre greenhouse dome, has become a famous symbol of the Missouri Botanical Garden. It houses over 1,200 species of plants in a natural setting, and aims to educate visitors about the role of plants in various ecosystems. Furthermore, the Missouri Botanical Garden holds the Linnean House, which is the oldest continuously operating greenhouse conservatory in the United States, and the Tower Grove House, which was founder Henry Shaw's country home.

Aside from the range of enchanting attractions, the Missouri Botanical Garden boasts an established botanical research center. Events and classes are also held on the grounds, emphasizing interests such as garden design or exotic plant care.

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