For this garden visit, Chuck from My Back 40 (feet) took us to the Moorten Botanical Garden, a living museum of desert lore. Nestled in the desert of Palm Springs, this family owned and operated garden has been around since 1938. It's quite easy to see this garden is run as a labor of love, with handmade signs, unique rocks and wood pieces, as well as antique gold mining artifacts. There's cacti galore, rare plant specimens and a family of roaming tortoises. And if that wasn't enough, it styles itself as having the World's First Cactarium! Yes, the Moorten Botanical Garden has now earned itself a spot on my "Gardens I Must Visit" Pinterest board.
If you too are craving the same sort of therapy, head over to My Back 40 (feet) for some visual inspiration and virtual warmth. Or, if you're near Palm Springs, book a room at the Ace Hotel (or somewhere equally as appealing) and go to the garden itself. Four bucks for admission, and you might even walk away with a plant purchase or two. For information on the Moorten Botanical Garden, you can visit their website here.
(Images: My Back 40 (feet))






Sprout Side Table
If you're in the Coachella Valley you should visit The Living Desert (http://www.livingdesert.org/). It's a small zoo that focuses on desert animals AND plants from around the world. Besides being beautiful it is very well maintained and staffed.
The Botanical Garden in DC (just in front of the Capital) has a nice, though small, desert exhibit. It's a great place to visit in winter. It's warm and humid and the Christmas decorations are amazing.
The Exposition Park Rose Garden in Los Angeles is also a beautiful garden visit!
Bonsai West in Littleton, MA has a breathtaking collection of bonsais, some of them over 100 years old. It is located just a few miles of the 495 Hwy.
It's a true Zen experience.
I don't know if they are open in winter and how they winterize all the bonsais but they have a website.
Magical.
Thank you, this is amazing
CanadianMango: I live in the area and had no idea this place existed (Bonsai West). Thanks! I'm talking to a friend about a winter visit.
This MoorTen place looks incredible. I love that tree with the steps going up to it!
Thanks everyone, for adding your own favorites gardens to visit! I will check them out and add them to my board :)