10 BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO SEE BEAUTIFUL BLOSSOMS

In spring and summer it’s not hard to find beautiful blossoms. But we found ten of the most beautiful places in the world to see them. From impossibly rich carpets of wildflowers to over-the-top cultivated gardens, you’ll want to put some (or all) of these on your travel bucket list.

1. COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE -- OREGON, UNITED STATES

There are over 800 species of wild flowers in the Columbia River Gorge. Some are found only here, nowhere else in the world. The blossoms open at different times, depending on their elevation and microclimate, ranging from rainforest to desert. The Gorge is 80 miles long, with up to 4000 feet of elevation at the ridgelines.

2. VALLEY OF FLOWERS NATIONAL PARK, INDIA

India’s Valley of Flowers National Park holds a beautiful collection of native alpine blossoms.

The park also houses rare and endangered animal species, like the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, brown bear, and blue sheep.

The gentle floral beauty of this park stands in contrast to the staggering mountainous landscape of Nanda Devi National Park.

These two parks create a transition zone between the Zanskar and Great Himalaya mountain ranges.

This area has been lauded by mountaineers and botanists for a century, and by local Hindu mythology for many centuries before that. It is listed as a World Heritage UNESCO site.

3. WOODS OF HALLE, BELGIUM

Springtime in Brussels holds a beautiful secret. Between late April and early May, wild bluebell hyacinths blossom like crazy, creating a magical blue carpet that stretches far and wide on the edge of Halle’s Wood.

These gorgeous flowerbeds grow wild, with millions of blossoms, in a sea of color like none other in the world.

Halle’s Wood is part of the Sonian Forest, Europe’s largest beech forest.

4. SUNFLOWERS -- TUSCANY, ITALY

There are few places more beautiful than Tuscany in July, when sunflower fields bloom and attract visitors from all over the world.

These fields have bloomed every summer since the 18th century, when sunflowers were brought to Italy from America.

Sunflowers are heliotropic, which means that they grow in the direction of the sun. At sunrise they face east, and follow the sun westward throughout the day. The Italian word for sunflower is “Girasole,” or "sun turner."

5. CENTRAL TEXAS WILDFLOWERS -- TEXAS, UNITED STATES

Central Texas changes color continuously as wide swaths of wildflowers take their turns to bloom. The spectacle begins in mid-March, with bluebonnets leading the color parade.

Pale red Texas Paintbrush wildflowers begin to pop up and grow among them, then take over, followed by Indian Blanket wildflowers which then fill the fields. These have a gorgeous red center and yellow border.

There are 48 types of wildflowers blooming in this region from spring through early fall, keeping the colors changing continuously. You might be so transfixed, you might never want to leave.

6. ANTELOPE VALLEY CALIFORNIA POPPY RESERVE -- CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, located in the Mojave Desert Grassland, is a springtime delight for wildflower enthusiasts. The flowers grow all spring, from mid-February to late May.

While poppies predominate, many different kinds of wildflowers grow here. Their colors and scents vary annually, depending on weather conditions.

The park is a wonderful place to walk trails, observe wildlife, and, of course, admire the endless blossoms.

7. CARLSBAD FLOWER FIELDS -- CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California are full of beautiful, warm-colored ranunculus flowers.

This 50-acre field is set on a hillside overlooking the shimmering Southern California coastline. Colorful bands of flowers extend as far as the eye can see.

In addition to the fields of ranunculus flowers, the Flower Fields also have a sweet pea maze, greenhouses full of poinsettias, and other flower gardens to explore.

8. HYDRANGEA VALLEY AT TREBAH GARDEN -- CORNWALL, UNITED KINGDOM

Hydrangea Valley is a gorgeous section of Trebah Garden in Cornwall, United Kingdom.

Two acres of hydrangeas border the banks of Mallard Pond, creating a beautiful vision of shimmering flowers in the water’s reflection.

These Mophead hydrangeas are pruned for three weeks in March to maximize their blossoming power. The rich acidic soil of Trebah imbues these hydrangeas with their beautiful blue hue.

9. KIRSTENBOSCH NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN -- CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is widely regarded as the most beautiful garden in Africa.

Set against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain, the view is unbeatable. The gardens and the mountains merge into one beautiful and uniquely South African landscape.

Kirstenbosch features flora indigenous to the Cape region, such as sugarbushes, pincushions, and heaths.

It is also part of a nature reserve, full of protected wildlife, forests, and mountains.

Kirstenbosch is located in the center of the Cape Floral Kingdom, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kirstenbosch is the largest of a country-wide network of nine National Botanical Gardens administered by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

10. WISTERIA STORY, ASHIKAGA FLOWER PARK -- TOCHIGI, JAPAN

Wisteria is lauded in the Man'yōshū, or “Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves,” the oldest existing collection of Japanese poetry. Ashikaga Flower Park in Japan showcases their unparalleled beauty.

The Park features many different kinds of wisteria. While we are most familiar with the delicate bluish purple color of wisteria blossoms, here, you will also find cascading wisteria blossoms in light pink, White, and yellow. Some are double-petaled.

The Great Wisteria Festival takes place at Ashikaga Flower Park each year from mid-April to mid-May.

Read more about Beautiful Blossoms, as they relates to  Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact including 10 Beautiful Books Bursting with Blossoms, Bees & Blossom are Rocking Down on the Farm Now, 10 Ways to Feast on Beautiful Blossoms Now and Beautiful Blossoms are Compositions of Passion Now.

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