Now that it's early March, we're could not be more excited at the prospect of warm weather, bright sunshine, and ditching our snow boots once and for all!
In anticipation of spring, here are seven wonderful trees and flowering gardens that we're looking forward to visiting this season:
Baltimore's Al Capone Cherry Tree
Union Hospital in Baltimore hosts a weeping cherry tree that blooms in glories of pink each spring. What most people don't know is that this wonderful tree was a gift to the hospital from the notorious gangster Al Capone in thanks for treating his tertiary syphilis upon his release from Alcatraz in 1939. No other tree has a story quite like this one! 111 Places in Baltimore That You Must Not Miss
Photo by John Dean
Brooklyn's Caucasian Wingnut
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is part of the very breath of New York's fabled borough. The impressive Caucasian Wingnut here was planted in the garden in 1922, and today, its thick, craggy branches reach out to embrace visitors. In this case, "wingnut" actually refers to the the wing-shaped fruit that grows on the tree, not the characters in the new for a change. 111 Places in Brooklyn That You Must Not Miss
Photo by Ed Lefkowicz
Chicago's Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
Water lilies bloom a little later in the season, and when they do, the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond is a stunning yet tranquil destination for a stroll through Lincoln Park. The area was restored in 2002, and even in early spring, you'll find yourself among beautiful blooming trees and Asian-style stone shelters. 111 Places in Chicago That You Must Not Miss
Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Park Convervancy
LA's Demonstration Gardens
The sun always shines in LA, but even in this climate, the native flora appreciates a good dose of springtime. Visit the Theodore Payne Foundation and wander the trails among the lovely plantings. It's free, and dogs on leashes are welcome. Sniffing the amazing variety of plant fragrances is one of the best parts, especially in spring. 111 Places in Los Angeles That You Must Not Miss
Photo by Lyudmila Zotova
Silicon Valley's Hidden Cactus Garden
One of the many secrets at Stanford University is the Arizona Cactus Garden. If you have the chance, go there immediately because the cacti are in bloom - and they are spectacular! The garden was first planted on campus in 1881, and it is a wonderful, meditative space any time of year in Silicon Valley. 111 Places in Silicon Valley That You Must Not Miss - on pre-order
Photo by Steve Werney
Toronto's Music Garden
As if the compositions of J.S. Bach weren't beautiful enough on their own, Toronto hosts a blizzard of flowers inspired by Bach's Suite Number 1 in G Minor for Unaccompanied Cello. Each of the six sections of the garden corresponds to a movement in the piece. Thaw your cold toes with a stroll through the music. 111 Places in Toronto That You Must Not Miss
Photo by Clare Davenport
Washington, DC's Oldest Cherry Trees
The breathtaking, soft pink cherry blossoms around DC's Tidal Basin are the city's annual crowning glories. However, the grand dames of city's collection are the oldest cherry trees on Hains Point. These 24 gnarled beauties were planted here in 1910, and they are considered some of the most historic trees in the United States. 111 Places in Washington, DC That You Must Not Miss
Photo by Andrea Seiger
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