If you live in Madison, Wisconsin, you probably know about Olbrich Botanical Gardens. In fact, if you live in Madison, Wisconsin, you’ve probably visited Olbrich Botanical Gardens. A stroll through this wonderful place is an excellent way to quiet your mind and leave the stress of everyday life behind for an hour or two. Donations are appreciated, but you can wander the 16-acre outdoor gardens for free. So, if your wallet is stressed, you can forget about that for a while as well.
A vast variety of plants await your visit, so you can always find something to catch your eye (and maybe your nose). A map of the site lists the following gardens: Thai Pavilion & Garden, Rose Garden, Sunken Garden, Perennial Garden, Herb Garden, Meadow Garden, Rock Garden, Wildflower Garden, Rain Garden, Serenity Garden, Shade Garden, Eunice Fisher Hosta Garden, Event Garden, and Birch Walk. When I visit, however, I just take a random walk along the curved walkways and let myself be surprised by what I find.
Flowers may be the first things that come to mind when you think about botanical gardens, …
(Click on any photo to enlarge, then use arrows to scroll through the images.)
… but I’m often fascinated by the interesting foliage on some of the exotic plants or …
… the many ornamental grasses and other plants that add a soft touch to the gardens and paths.
After a stimulating walk, you might want to find a nice secluded place to relax.
