PLANTWISE

Oh Terrariums, How I Love You!

fantastical terrarium creations at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens

Posted by: Kate Bryant on Jan 14, 2011 at 06:00AM 3 Comments

One of Robert’s counter displays: this one includes a moist terrarium (far right) with humidity-loving plants; a still-life shell and stone terrarium (center) and a terrarium habitat with a live, active tarantula creeping about in it (far left).

View Slideshow » Illustration:

One of Robert’s counter displays: this one includes a moist terrarium (far right) with humidity-loving plants; a still-life shell and stone terrarium (center) and a terrarium habitat with a live, active tarantula creeping about in it (far left).

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Only a thin layer of glass between this tarantula and visitors!

View Slideshow » Illustration:

One of many handsome display tables in the open-air main building

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Close-up view of venus fly trap plants in a tall, closed, cake-stand terrarium. Venus fly traps require bright light to thrive, although a closed glass terrarium + direct sunlight can = overheating. Perhaps Robert lifts the tops off the terrariums from time to time, allowing jungle breezes to refresh the air.

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Another glass cake stand terrarium

View Slideshow » Illustration:

A better view inside, with the top lifted off

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Robert Price, founder and curator of the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens – also natural history and plant buff and terrarium maker

View Slideshow » Illustration:

The “natural history museum” wall and case outside the restrooms at the PV Botanical Garden – a great way to keep the gents occupied while the ladies avail themselves of the facilities!

Another happy discovery I made at the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens – fun terrariums made by the garden’s founder and curator, Robert Price. My photographs do not do them justice! Hopefully you can see beyond the abysmal light and reflective glass to gain a glimpse into the interior of these magical creations populated not only by Vallarta area plants, stone, and shells but also giant, colorful living beetles and spiders. One terrarium contained an enormous, hairy, and beautiful creeping tarantula. Like Mexico’s sometimes rickety city buses and 8-foot high sidewalks without handrails, terrariums containing tarantulas are certainly not something you are likely to find in an American shop!

There are so many kinds of terrariums out there – a rudimentary on-line search will bring up an astonishing array of styles and components, including kitchy figurines and toys, miniature beer cans, plastic plants and garishly colored sands and rocks. But for me, the loveliest terrariums somehow manage to distill nature, allowing people an opportunity to see and relate to the natural world in an intimate way. Thanks to months of close work with Amy Bryant-Aiello for our upcoming book Terrarium Craft, I admit I’ve become a little prejudiced: I’m less fond of fussy, kitschy styles and more partial to earthy, subtly-colored terrariums made from natural – and even local, when possible – materials including plants, mosses, lichens, bark, and insects. Not only are natural terrariums aesthetically delightful and a joy to make; they can also help us all develop a closer relationship to the natural world. And that is a good thing.

Enjoy!

Add a Comment »

Tags: Slideshow, Plant People, terrariums,

Travels in Mexico

Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens

Posted by: Kate Bryant on Jan 12, 2011 at 11:14AM 7 Comments

The lily pond at the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden

View Slideshow » Illustration:

The lily pond at the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Left, conservatory; right, Hacienda de Oro restaurant and bar. The bugambilias (Bougainvillea) were in full flower and consequently the place was on fire with hot pink and red flowers.

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Executive Director Neil Gerlowski led a tour of the gardens. We were about to enter the lovely conservatory here, which was brimming with orchids, including Vanilla planifolia (true vanilla orchid), lots of air plants (including our beloved Tillandsia ) and such tropical herbs as Anthurium (seen below, members of the arum family).

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Philippine jade vine (Stongylodon macrobotrys) – longer than the longest wisteria inflorescence I’ve ever seen, and with the most amazing coloration ever on a flower (excluding some Puya, which are also this surreal turquoise color). Picture standing under whole a bower of these! Note to self: not so good for accentuating a pasty-white complexion such as mine!

View Slideshow » Illustration:

…but I must say, that Stongylodon macrobotrys sure looks nice alongside the red Bugambilia (Bougainvillea) in that delicious glass of jamaica (red hibiscus water drink)! The food was delicious, including the coffee, which was sorely needed after a grueling hike down a steep hillside clad with wild begonia, vining bamboo, air plants and orchids, ferns, and salvias to reach the river.

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Robert Price, founder (with him mum Betty) of the PV Botanical Gardens. I wish I’d snapped his photo next to that crazy Stongylodon macrobotrysvine, as his eyes and shirt are nearly the same color as those turquoise flowers! Oh well, next time, Roberto!

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Cactus, succulents and cycads play a prominent role in the garden bed plantings near the restaurant

View Slideshow » Illustration:

A still life at the Hacienda del Oro, as beautiful as any of Roberto’s exquisite terrariums!

Ah, Mexico! I just returned from two weeks in the Puerto Vallarta area and – as I do with any trip – worked in some plant expeditions, amidst time spent ferreting out incredible food, wandering towns and villages, and peacefully resting on sunny beaches with cocktail in hand. (By the way, there are some incredible airfare deals this month so if the sound of warm sand, sunshine and fresh fish tacos sounds appealing… well…?)

Meantime, here’s something I discovered: while you wouldn’t think there could be great horticultural thrills in an area known for its touristic beaches and hotels, in fact the Puerto Vallarta area has much to recommend it to plant-lovers – including a lovely botanical garden.

The Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden is easy to get to from the city via a super-cheap city bus (take the “El Tuito/Botanical Gardens” bus) – a winding, scenic drive of about 20 minutes, from the historic district directly to the botanical garden gate.

Founded by Robert Price and his mother Betty in 2004, the garden was originally intended to provide a means to protect and conserve endangered native orchids that were being poached from their habitats. But the garden soon grew in scope to include many types of plants, as well as a great restaurant that serves day-visitors and hosts events – all of which helps fund the 501c non-profit garden.

The site consists of 20 acres of natural jungle ranging in elevation from about 1,100 to 1,300 feet above sea level and bisected by streams and trails running down the sometimes steep hillsides. The garden’s features include an orchid conservatory, tree fern grotto, trails through the jungle and a hillside of planted blue agaves, a native Mexican plant collection, a palm collection, tropical fruit trees, and butterfly gardens.

The garden has recently hired a new executive director, Neil Gerlowski, who plans to tackle the important task of developing the site and creating consistent records and labeling for the growing plant collections. The place is already an engaging destination for the general public, thanks to Robert’s aesthetic eye and skill in gathering plant materials: on display are sophisticated mixed terrariums, creative potted plantings, striking vines dripping from arbors, and playfully designed garden beds incorporating bones and skulls, quixotic plants and hardscaping. Now it looks like they’re ready to take the garden to the next level, turning a lovely destination into a serious botanical resource equipped to provide real collection and conservation resources for plants, including endangered species.

The restaurant, Hacienda de Oro, is a wonderful place to linger and enjoy a cold jamaica drink (made from red hibiscus flowers), spiked with flowers and herbs picked from the garden.

All in all, the garden is a visual treat, with lots of dramatic terrarium and container displays for flower lovers plus great food, fine walking and hiking opportunities, spectacular views from the restaurant, and even bird-watching opportunities for bird geeks (like me!). And based on my conversations with the Robert and Neil, I’d say it will only be growing more exciting for plant collectors and plant nerds as time passes.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Slideshow, Garden Visits, tropical gardens, terrariums,