I make it a point to seek out gardens when I travel. Quite honestly I can’t help myself as I find inspiration in every garden I visit. During a recent trip to Zurich, Switzerland after a rigorous five day hiking trip in the countryside, I meandered through the small botanic garden located adjacent to the University of Zurich. Locals seemed to enjoy the small space as much as tourists and I can’t blame them since access to the garden is free to all.
Biospheres contained tropical and desert specimens, while a water garden featured lily pads reminiscent of what you would see at Philadelphia area gardens like Chanticleer and Longwood Gardens. A woodland setting provided shade perfect for reading or enjoying an afternoon snooze.
Display areas highlighted plant material for residential landscapes. As in the United States and in other parts of the word, use of native plant material was recommended to attract pollinators and to support the environment.
I noticed that those maintaining the garden were not quick to deadhead or remove spent blooms, instead leaving them for ornamentation. My impression was that the naturalistic plant movement was as alive in Zurich as it was across the globe.
While it didn’t take long to visit the approximately five acre garden, I left relaxed and refreshed. I related to the space on many levels and particularly liked the statue of the woman holding her foot; I felt her pain after hiking ten miles a day in the Alps. I too needed a foot rub!
When you have the opportunity to visit a public or private garden, take it. I promise you will be inspired by something whether that’s a structure, sculpture, design or plant.
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