Gardens Trivia

1. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York City contains a garden of plants found in the works of which famous bard?

From Quiz Where Would I..?

Answer: William Shakespeare

In 1897, New York City was growing apace and open spaces were quickly disappearing. To safeguard against this, legislation was passed by New York State ensuring that 39 acres be kept aside for a botanical garden. In 1910, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden was formed adjacent to Prospect Park with Charles Stuart Gager as its first director. Today this oasis of verdancy and calm covers 52 acres and hosts nearly a million visitors a year as people enjoy its charms away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The BBG, as it affectionately called, is renowned for its series of "gardens within the Garden" where a number of smaller gardens can be found, each planted and laid out to a specific theme. One of these is the Shakespeare Garden which is filled with plants mentioned in his works. Each plant bears a label not only giving its common and botanical name, but also a quotation from the work where it appeared. The BBG also hosts the month long 'hanami' or cherry blossom festival every spring where visitors can feast their eyes on the garden's over 200 cherry trees in all their glory.

From Quiz A Blaze of Blooms

Answer: The Zen Garden

The Ryoan-ji garden is one of the best remaining examples of kare-sansui, which means "dry landscape". This type of garden features by design distinctive larger rock formations arranged around a multitude of smooth pebbles which are then raked into linear patterns to promote meditation. This particular garden dates back to the mid-to-late 15th century. The only vegetation in the garden is some moss around the larger stones. The garden is 248 square metres in area (2670 sq ft) with dimensions around 25 m x 10 m (82 ft x 32 ft). This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This question was written by Phoenix Rising team member 1nn1 who made a pilgrimage to the site and has remained awestruck ever since.

From Quiz A Blaze of Blooms

Answer: Malaysia

The Tropical Spice Garden is located in Penang, Malaysia. Touted as a "living museum" of spices and various plants, it spreads out across eight acres of secondary jungle that was once a rubber plantation. Visitors can opt to stroll through the garden with an electronic audio guide or choose a guided tour. The guided tour includes a cooking class that uses ingredients harvested from the garden. This question was spiced up by Phoenix Rising team member purelyqing.

From Quiz Gloucestershire's Glorious Gardens

Answer: Westbury Court

Westbury Court is a garden of beautiful views and simple green spaces, yew hedges and canals. The main canal, filled with water lilies and carp, leads the eye to a two storey Dutch style pavilion.

From Quiz Where Would I..?

Answer: London

The London borough of Richmond-upon-Thames is home to the famed Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Kew Gardens, as it is commonly called, is home to the most diverse collection of living plants in the world. The garden was started in 1759 on 9 acres by Princess Augusta, the mother of George III. When he ascended the throne, he combined this garden with the Richmond estate he inherited to create the current size of 300 acres. Ownership was transferred to the government in 1840 and the garden was opened to the public. It was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2003. Where to start on its attractions? Not easy in a few lines, but here are a few to whet your appetite. The Herbarium, home to 7 million dried specimens, the Great Broad Walk Borders, Kew Palace, the smallest of the royal palaces, or the Great Pagoda built in 1762. Or you can visit Temperate House which is housed in the world's largest surviving Victorian glasshouse. It is also home to the "Loneliest Bachelor in the World". This is a male cycad tree that descends from the only plant of this species left growing in the wild in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Because it is a clone, it is male, as are all others in botanic gardens the world over. The hunt is desperately on in South Africa to find a female cone to ensure the continuation of the species.

From Quiz A Blaze of Blooms

Answer: Kitchen Garden

Sometimes called the "Garden of Europe" this creation sits on thirty-two hectares of land in the south of Holland. According to its website, there are over seven million bulbs planted on its grounds every year. Despite its reputation for tulips, which are best viewed mid-April, the centre does not boast long acres of the plant. Instead it lends itself to a variety of gardens, from an English landscape garden to a Japanese country garden. However, there are a number of private estates outside of the Keukenhof that will provide visitors with spectacular views of long tulip fields. These, though, may only provide restricted viewings. The term "kitchen garden" grew from the fifteenth century when the castle of Jacqueline, the Countess of Hainaut, used the estate's acreage to grow herbs to supply the castle's kitchens. This question was carefully nurtured by Phoenix Rising team member pollucci19.

From Quiz Where Would I..?

Answer: Yves Saint Laurent

Tucked away on the Rue Yves Saint Laurent in the centre of the bustle of Marrakesh, the Jardin Marjorelle is a testament to a love and passion for gardens. The two acre garden was first established in 1924 by the French painter Jacques Marjorelle after he had fallen in love with Morocco and Marrakesh and purchased the land. For forty years he made the creation of this garden his life's passion. He had built the iconic cobolt blue cubist villa which today houses the Berber Museum. Unfortunately financial circumstances forced him to sell the property whereafter it fell into disrepair. Step in French fashion designer, Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Berge who bought the property in 1980 when the villa and garden were set to be demolished to make way for a hotel. They were determined to save Marjorelle's legacy and set about restoring the villa and garden. The pair owned it until Saint Laurent's death in 2008. His ashes were scattered in the garden . Today it is owned by the Foundation Pierre Bergé - Yves Saint Laurent and managed by a non-profit organisation. The garden houses a specialist collection of rare species of cacti as well as a variety of endemic north African birds. It is open to the public and is one of the most visited sites in Marrakesh.

From Quiz A Blaze of Blooms

Answer: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK)

The Kew Gardens began life in the mid-1700s as an ordinary garden around Kew Palace, the summer residence of the Royal Family. As it grew, grounds from the adjacent Royal Park were absorbed. Though neglected for a period, under the eye of Queen Victoria it became an important scientific and horticultural hub. Along with the development of a Herbarium and Palm House, several structures were built to contain seeds and develop plants brought home from the colonies. It became UNESCO listed in 2003. This question was created by Phoenix Rising team member VegemiteKid.

From Quiz Where Would I..?

Answer: Norway

Located above the arctic circle in Tromso, Norway, this surprising botanical garden is the world's northernmost botanical garden. It showcases plants from the cold climes of the world, including both polar regions and alpine areas around the world. There are 25 different collections of plants that can survive Tromso's winters without any outside protection, not to mention the midnight sun during the summer months. These winters are not quite as severe as would be expected this far north due to a moderating influence from the Gulf Stream which means a growing season that normally extends from the beginning of May until the first snows in October. There is even an African collection with plants from the high reaches of the Atlas and Drakensberg Mountains. The Rhododendron Valley is a must see riot of colour in early summer as the high altitude varieties of this species thrive in this climate. The garden which opened in 1994, is situated on the campus of the University of Tromso and was established mainly to preserve the garden traditions of northern Norway. There is a North Norway Tradition Garden which includes over 700 plants collected from old gardens in the area. There are no fences and entrance is free to this wonderful example of the hardiness and adaptability of nature.

From Quiz Where Would I..?

Answer: Canberra

The Australian National Botanic Garden is situated at the foot of the Black Mountain in Canberra, the capital of Australia. There are views over the city and Parliament House from the garden. The garden was established in 1949 with the aim of promoting and preserving Australia's native plants and sprawls over 99 acres organised by theme. Themes include Rainforest Gully where you take the Rainforest Walk, the Eucalyptus Discovery as well as a dedicated section for Banksias. In all, there are over 5000 species which make it the world's largest display of living native Australian plants. The garden was included on the Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004. Encouragingly for the future, the garden also includes an interactive walk for children to teach them the importance of plants and saving the heritage for the future. The garden also includes the Australian National Herbarium.

From Quiz A Blaze of Blooms

Answer: It is considered a perfect garden

Kenroku-en, or Six Attributes Garden, is located in Kanazawa city in the Ishikawa prefecture of Japan. It was built in the 1600s by feudal lords but was destroyed by fire in 1759. Restoration work started in 1774 and several features were added to it by successive feudal lords. Kenroku-en incorporates all six aspects of what is considered an ideal garden in Chinese culture. The six features are spaciousness, seclusion, artistry, antiquity, waterways, and panoramas. Among the attractions of Kenroku-en include the oldest fountain in Japan, a pair of sprawling Japanese red pines flanking a statue at the garden's centre, stone lanterns as well as various stone bridges. This question was landscaped by Phoenix Rising team member purelyqing.

From Quiz Where Would I..?

Answer: Rio de Janeiro

Overlooked by the famous Christ the Redeemer statue and nestled on the lower slopes of the Corcovado Mountain, the Jardim Botanico is a haven of peace and tranquillity in the middle of the teeming city that is Rio de Janeiro. Established in 1808 by King John VI of Portugal and opened to the public in 1822, this botanical wonder stretches over some 345 acres of which only 40% is cultivated. The other 60% is given over the natural flora that flourishes in this area. Visitors are greeted near the entrance by the famous double row of Imperial Palm trees, 134 of them in total. The incredible fact is that each of these trees is descended from a single tree, the Palma Mater, which was sadly destroyed by lightning, but lives on through its offspring. The cultivated part of the garden houses numerous collections, organised according to theme. The Garden House with its collection of carnivorous plants, bromeliads and a variety of rare orchids is a high priority on most visitor's to-see list.

From Quiz A Blaze of Blooms

Answer: Arizona

All of these are located in Arizona and feature desert flora in its various forms. Desert Botanical Gardens is located in Papago Park in Phoenix and features 140 acres containing more than 21,000 plants, including over 10,000 cacti. Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a State Park located near Superior. It is one of the oldest botanical institutions west of the Mississippi and is the largest in Arizona. It features 2600 species of arid plants from all over the world. It is located in a riparian zone in the Sonoran Desert so it attracts much fauna native to the area. Tucson Botanical Gardens is found in Tucson and features 16 residentially scaled urban gardens. Of particular interest are the Cox Butterfly & Orchid Pavilion, which features tropical vegetation and butterflies, the Cactus and Succulent Garden, which features cacti and arid plants from the Sonoran Desert, and the Native Crops Garden, which features prehistoric agricultural practices in Arizona. This question was cultivated by Phoenix Rising member tazman6619.

From Quiz Where Would I..?

Answer: Desert

If your idea of a desert landscape is sand, rocks and barrenness, the Phoenix Botanical Garden in Arizona will probably change that. Home to over 50 000 plants in over 4000 species, this 140 acre site in Papago Park in the Sonoran Desert is a showcase for plants that can survive dry and arid conditions. Opened in 1939, this garden is the work of the Arizona Cactus and Native Flora Society who formed in 1937 under the initiative of a Swedish botanist called Gustave Starck with the aim of showing "the value in exhibiting, researching and conserving the plants of the Sonoran Desert". There are five different trails within the garden offering different aspects of what the garden has to offer, including the Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert Trail which highlights how endemic plants were used by the local people. Attracting over half a million visitors a year, the garden has been designated a "Phoenix Point of Pride"; a series of landmarks chosen by voters since 1992 that they think showcase the best the city has to offer.

From Quiz A Blaze of Blooms

Answer: Ireland

The Powerscourt Gardens have been rated in the past as one of the ten best gardens in the world by National Geographic and they represent one of the best garden attractions in Ireland. Conceived in 1731, the 47-acre garden is part of a large estate in Enniskerry, County Wicklow. The Italian garden was designed by Daniel Robertson, a formidable architect in his day, during the 1840s, and it introduces the viewer to a series of terraces that link the house to the nearby Triton Lake. The Japanese garden was developed around a number of Chinese Fortune palms that were introduced in 1830, but the pride of this sector are the azaleas that provide a stunning show in both spring and autumn. Aside from these gardens the estate also shows off a pet cemetery, a number of statues of winged horses, and a pepperpot tower. This question was germinated by Phoenix Rising team member pollucci19.

From Quiz Where Would I..?

Answer: Cape Town

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden has been called the "Jewel in the Crown of Cape Town", South Africa's 'Mother City.' It lies nestled along the eastern side of Table Mountain, covering some 528 hectares, 36 of which are cultivated. The remainder is given over to the natural flora and includes Skeleton Gorge, which is a common starting point for people climbing Table Mountain. The land for the garden was bequeathed to the nation by Cecil John Rhodes on his death in 1902. In 1913, Henry Harold Pearson starting laying out what today is one of the foremost botanic gardens in the world, harbouring over 7000 species of plants indigenous to Southern Africa. It also contains a section of the 'Van Riebeeck Hedge' which was a defensive barrier made of wild almonds and thorny shrubs planted in 1660 by Jan van Riebeeck, the Dutch founder of what is today Cape Town. The garden's many collections contains a number of themed sections including a cycad amphitheatre and a Protea garden, the King Protea being the national flower of South Africa. A highlight of any visit is a walk along "The Boomslang" or the Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway, to give it its formal name. This is a 130 metre walk that rises some 12 metres above the ground through the canopy of the Arboretum and which undulates in the wind.

From Quiz A Blaze of Blooms

Answer: Vancouver Island

The Butchart Gardens are a collection of floral gardens in Brentwood Bay, located near the British Columbia capital Victoria on Vancouver Island. The Gardens have always remained the property of the Butchart family, who moved from Ontario to Vancouver Island for Mr Butchart's business of quarrying limestone to make cement. When the limestone in the quarry adjacent to their house was exhausted, Mrs Butchart turned the quarry into the Sunken Garden. Then their tennis court was converted into the Italian garden. The gardens were first opened to the public in 1926. This question was contributed by Phoenix Rising team member 1nn1.

From Quiz Gloucestershire's Glorious Gardens

Answer: Highgrove House

Highgrove, home to the Prince of Wales, is one of the loveliest gardens in the area. Entirely run on organic principles, the Prince has created a romantic and peaceful country retreat. Built in the late 18th century, Highgrove's classic exterior is surrounded by a romantic and subtle country garden. Sadly it is not open to the public.

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Last Updated Nov 01 2025 5:52 AM

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