We enjoyed a full day at the botanical garden, a spot never to be missed on home leave. Many moons ago, we were garden members, and I was in the HSCCS (Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society). From strolls through the gardens on my lunch hour to showing plants next to many lovely people (most older than our grandparents), the Garden has remained an oasis of pleasure and solitude.
As the girls get older, I enjoy how they embrace the gardens here and at home. I LOVE that they LOVE plants and insects and all the animals drawn into the gardens. Now they make the experience so interactive and fun. Whether playing in the childrens' garden, soaking eyes closed in the sunshine, straightening the "market" or milking the sheep... milking the sheep?!... yes, they love it all! And I love that ;)
We placed memorial bricks for my mom, dad and sister in the garden after they passed away, and it is nice to see the girls help to search for their location each trip... even I forget which section of blocks.
The Climatron is my favorite, warm, humid and full of bromeliads and tropicals. There are always at least a few orchids in bloom and citrus scenting up the house. Ceiba's namesake trees continue to reach higher to the ceiling each year. The sound of water is ever soothing.
In the Mediterranean house, succulents abound. We recognize so many plants from our recent home in our beloved Malta.
We journey through the Japanese garden and tea house on our way to see the koi each visit. It's always fun to run along the piers over the lake and have room to play.
The Linneaus House tells us we reached the end of the day's explorations. Camillias, succulents and old brick walls invite us down the pathways. Some of the old C3 cactus greenhouse have moved to this new home.
And even better, they have so much fun that they don't even realize how much they are learning and the neat little gardeners they've become.
