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: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.
Beautiful! Sounds like a well deserved get-away.
Great pix. Thanks for sharing.
Great pix. Thanks for sharing.
Great photos Kate! What a beautiful place. I also saw the Philippine Jade flowing at New York Botanical Gardens and WOW! The color is out of this world.
Yes their sure is more to PV than the touristic beaches and hotels and you have definitely discovered a gem in this botanical garden. Thanks for sharing it and I will for sure attempt to visit it and add it to my http://www.things-to-do-in-puerto-vallarta.com site.
Enjoyed the article. I know Neil Gerlowski from my days as a white water rafting guide in New England. He is quite a wealth of knowledge and engaging person. I can not wait to visit the B. Gardens and see his ideas painted out.
Glad you all enjoyed the slideshow. I didn’t feel like my photos did the place justice. Robin, yes, it’s well worth adding to the “things to do in PV” list – it’s inexpensive and the bus ride there is almost as good as the garden! And Jessica, neat that you know Neil – you’ll love to see in person what’s going on at the garden!