In the heart of busy Honolulu Oahu, Foster Botanical Gardens is a 13.5 acre oasis of tropical plants, some rare and endangered, collected from throughout the world’s tropics over a period of 140 years.

The oldest of several botanical gardens in Hawaii, Foster Botanical Garden started after William Hillebrand leased a portion of what is now central Honolulu from Queen Kalama in 1853.

As a botanist Hillebrand planted a great many trees, then left Hawaii for his native Germany, where he produced Flora of the Hawaiian Islands (1888).

The site was then sold to Thomas and Mary Foster, who added several acres and plantings before it was bequeathed to the city as a public garden in 1931.

The first Foster Botanical Garden director was Dr. Harold Lyon, a preeminent botanist in Hawaii.

Major streets now encompass the site, check the satellite image to get a feel for how precious a retreat this makes in the center of a busy city.

Of note are the orchid gardens, a prehistoric glen, a multitude of protected exceptional trees, and, as you can see, a magnificent palm collection.

Guided tours of Foster Botanical Garden are given to thousands of school children as well as visitors from around the world.

For additional information, please visit Foster Botanical Garden

“Carnival in the Garden” – Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Garden

From now until May 8th, visitors to Las Vegas can enjoy the “Carnival in the Garden” exhibit at Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Garden.

Spring has arrived but many places around the world are still battling cold and wintery conditions.

Come to Las Vegas, that luxury destination of bright lights and non-stop action and experience Spring at its very best.

The amazing “Carnival in the Garden” at the Bellagio features a wonderful carousel, ferris wheel and even live butterflies.

9,620 total flowers will be on display per week int eh Conservatory & Botanical Garden and during the entire length of the exhibit, a whopping total of 86,580 flowers will be used!

Filled with bright blooms and a playful carnival, the spectacular “Carnival in the Garden” floral exhibition at the Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is stunningly beautiful.

Guests can enjoy four different enchanting gardens that will lure you a variety of scents from tulips, hydrangeas and daisies.

The colorful Ferris wheel, along with a moving carousel and greenhouse full of beautiful butterflies will bring smiles to people’s faces and leave all the worries of the outside world forgotten.

The amazing moving carousel is 11 feet tall and is making its Conservatory debut.  This carnival favorite weighs more than 8,600 pounds, and covered with 330 clear bulbs, in addition to colorful acrylic balloons and a cedar ticket booth.

The stunning focal point of the “Carnival in the Garden” has to be the stone-based rustic greenhouse, housing more than 500 live butterflies from around the world.

Nearby, view a “fantasy” tree that has been decorated with cherry blossoms that easily soar 25 feet overhead, reaching for the spring sky revealed by the venue’s all-glass ceiling.

The artistic tree was initially formed with a metal skeleton and then covered with more than 420,000 feet of tightly woven willow branches.

The spring exhibit within Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens will be open for viewing until May 8th.

The exhibit is complimentary to the public and open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.