Cool Living Wall

Living walls are a 'thing' of the moment (i.e. now and in recent years) and seems set to continue for awhile. I like the concept of it although I must confess I don't always like the finished product, from both professionals and amateurs, even if at first they look impeccable. Plus I still have lots of doubts on the longevity of most of them.

This living wall however, I liked a lot...

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Tropical Treat

I suppose it's time to bump off our Chelsea coverage from the top of our blog posts with another look into the Geneva Botanical Garden, focusing this time on their Tropical Glasshouse.

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Petit but Very Nice!

Whenever we visit a city we find out first if they have a botanical garden that will be convenient to visit. Our trip to Geneva was no exception and they do have a botanical garden that is rather centrally located, or at least a twenty minute leisurely walk from Mont Blanc bridge. 

Geneva Botanical Garden is bordered to the east by Lake Geneva and is directly connected by beautiful parks at the city's right bank (Quai Wilson lake promenade). It is worth bypassing public transport and just walk along the bank towards the botanical garden from the old town as the sceneries going there are beautiful.

The botanical garden turned out to be much, much better than we anticipated. In fact it is one of the nicest ones we have been to in Europe apart from the UK. It is petit but very nice! You can tell that it is a well funded one, not surprising considering that Geneva is a very affluent city in the first place. We spent a wonderful afternoon there exploring it's several glasshouses and outdoor spaces.

To start of a series of features is a quick look at the first glasshouse we saw as we entered this lovely garden - the Temperate Glasshouse.

A compact yet pretty glasshouse

A Phoenix canariensis is right in front of the main entrance to this glasshouse which is probably just wheeled straight in to it during the winter months.

Looking back from the entrance

Then looking in you are greeted by towering plants.

Each alcove is designated it's own climactic zone and planting scheme. Their plant collection is modest but they are well maintained.

And then there's the canopy/elevated walkway...

From there you get a different view of their 'spiky zones'...

After a good look around it was time to explore the other areas. Looking back...

Petit but very nice!

Mark :-)

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Tick Tock Tick Tock

Growing up, I've always heard about the famous Flower Clock (L'horloge Fleurie) of Geneva and have wanted to see it in the flesh one day. That day came thirteen years ago and when I saw it I exclaimed to myself...

"Is this it??"

Underwhelmed, I have put it in amongst the most overrated tourist attractions out there. Attractions that have gained popularity and status much higher than the impact they actually produce once seen in the flesh. It's up there with The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen and The Mona Lisa in Paris (ducks for cover...).

But now, thirteen years from that moment, returning to Geneva older and (hopefully) more mature, I am more forgiving with my thoughts. It's not too bad. It's the symbol and principle behind it that counts the most I suppose.

The display consists of around 6500 bedding plants and is changed four times in a year, coinciding with the seasons. Here's a few more detail shots.

And I can tell you that it is still a very popular attraction. The photos looks like the area is deserted when it was actually far from that. It took so much effort and timing to take these tourist free photos and I managed to irritate a several other photo takers for being in their way for a....funny enough a tourist free shot.

Mission accomplished, photos taken, it was time to move on...

Mark :-)

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