Garden of Eden - Maui Botanical Garden

The second botanical garden I visited when I was in Maui was called the Garden of Eden.  It is found along the famous road to Hana.  There are beautiful views of the coast and lots of great trails to hike.  The road to Hana is very interesting.  It is only 50 some miles long, but will take about 3 hours to get to the end (and then you turn around and come back unless you have a 4x4).  In those 50 miles there are over 600 curves, and there are also numerous one lane bridges.  Just before the town of Hana there is the Wai'anapanapa State Park, with it's gorgeous black sand beaches created from lava.

View of the coast from the Garden of Eden.

Fan Palm

Shell Ginger

Another view from of the coast

View of one of the many waterfalls along the Hana Highway

100 year old mango tree

Rainbow Eucalyptus

Torch Ginger

Black sand beach

Wai'anapanapa State Park

Wai'anapanapa State Park

Kula Botanical Gardens of Maui

Sorry for not posting for a while, but I was celebrating my 10th anniversary in Maui.  I visited two botanical gardens while in Maui.  Here are pictures from the first one I visited, Kula Botanical Garden.  They had an awesome collection of Protea.

Koi pond

protea pincushion

protea pincushion

protea pincushion

This was some kind of orchid.

Black-eyed susan vine

Norfolk Pine

My husband called this a orange hosta.  I believe it was some kind of bromeliad.

Protea

Looking Back Best Pics from 2012 - Hummingbird

Since winter still has us in it's grips I've decided to look back on my pictures from 2012 and post some that I deem the best of 2012.  I hope you enjoy!

From February 2012 - Trip to Arizona

Hummingbird in the gardens at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, AZ

Looking Back Best Pics from 2012 Arizona

Since winter still has us in it's grips I've decided to look back on my pictures from 2012 and post some that I deem the best of 2012.  I hope you enjoy!

From February 2012 - Trip to Arizona

My friend, Gina, loves cactus!  Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, AZ

Looking Back Best Pics from 2012

Since winter still has us in it's grips I've decided to look back on my pictures from 2012 and post some that I deem the best of 2012.  I hope you enjoy!

From February 2012 - Trip to Arizona

Chihuly Glass sculptures at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, AZ.

Desert Botanical Garden

The Desert Botanical Garden is located in Phoeniz, AZ.  The entrance alone blew me away with it's beautiful Chihuly Glass display.  I would love to have a Dale Chihuly glass display in my garden, he is so talented.  When I first saw the display I thought it was some gorgeous plant that was reflecting the sun's rays.  It wasn't until it got closer that I realized the plant was really made out of glass.  The garden had a beautiful display of cacti, and volunteers were close at hand to answer any questions you may have.  It is one of 33 landmarks that make up the Phoenix Points of Pride.

Chihuly Glass display at entrance to garden

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Photo Opp in the Garden

Bird nest in Saguaro Cactus

St. Earth Walking, sculpture by Robert Wick

Sun Dial

Gigantic Organ Pipe Cactus

Barrel cactus

Crested Saguaro Cactus

Blooming Yucca

Cactus Bloom

Agave and Barrel Cactus

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a botanical garden/zoo located in the Sonoran Desert in Tucson, AZ.  The landscape surrounding this area is desert and hills as far as you can see, all spotted by giant Saguaro cactus.  One of the greatest parts of the museum, to me, was their hummingbird house.  You walk into this enclosure to find yourself surrounded by hummingbirds.  They buzz past your head on the way to grab a drink or go back to their nests.  I saw at least 6 different nests with tiny little hummingbird beaks sticking out.  If visiting Arizona, I would definitely put this on your list of places to see.

Entrance to the Hummingbird House

Hummingbird Nest

While you are in Tucson, and not far from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, make sure to stop by Arid Lands Greenhouse.  Bob, Toni, and Susan are incredibly friendly and have a wealth of knowledge about cactus.

Desert blooms

My friend, Gina, loves cactus

Barrel and Totem Cactus

Cactus Blooms

Yucca in background with huge flower stalk starting

Cactus

Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Planting Display

Sonoran Desert