By: Jacqueline Roberts
I love flowers. Why? Well, not only are they pretty to look at, but I find they can awaken people emotionally. They are the first sign of life in the spring, and the last thing to freeze over in the autumn. They signal a shift in seasons, a beautiful cycle of life.
I have been lucky enough to travel to many different places, and one of my favorite things to do when I visit a new country is to take pictures of flowers. Each flower seems to be unique, helping to share a piece of the individual country. Some places are dry and some more tropical, but each place is made out of its own beauty.
But what happens when you visit a large city full of skyscrapers and dense populations? Where do we get our dose of nature? Thankfully, botanical gardens save the day by providing large groups of people an outlet to feel closer to nature. Living in Chicago, I have come to love botanical gardens. It is very rare to find large amounts of floral beauty in one spot, especially in a natural environment, but there is something so special to see a choreographed flower exhibit where all the colors and textures of different floral varieties complement one another. It is truly a wonderful sight!
Wild flowers from Finland
Cacti from Tradgaardsforeningen Botanical Gardens Sweden
Flowers from Tradgaardsforeningen Botanical Gardens Sweden
Cacti from Tradgaardsforeningen Botanical Gardens Sweden
Landscape from Oman
Spring at The University of Chicago
Early signs of Spring at The University of Chicago
California Super Bloom
Pine from Norway
Tahitian Gardenia
Flowers from Bali, Indonesia
Entrance into Longwood Garden Conservatory
Fountains from Longwood Botanical Gardens
Inside the conservatory
Cacti exhibit
Lily Pad outdoor exhibit