🌿 Houston's Wizard of Oz in Green | Monet's Garden Palette

🎨Mercer Botanic Garden and Arboretum in Houston is truly a hidden gem of springtime! 👶💖Within its European-style gardens, a riot of blossoms unfolds, with vintage statues and vibrant flora creating a picturesque scene that seems straight out of an oil painting. 🌴Every plant is thoughtfully labeled, making it an ideal destination to bring children for a botanical learning adventure! Butterflies flutter gracefully among the flowers, filling your eyes with vitality and offering a supremely healing experience.🐬 💧 Don't rush off after exploring the gardens! 🦋🦎Just across the way lies a serene wetland park (search for "Mercer Arboretum" on Google Maps to find it). Pass beneath the bridge and follow the winding paths; it's advisable to plan your route using the Park Map as a guide. 🌿 🌿 🎉Two small wetlands I highly recommend visiting are "the oxbow" and "bald cypress swamp." Though modest in size, they exude an aura of primitive natural tranquility. You might even spot orchids on the wooden bridge crossing hickory bog! 🌴 If time permits, Storey Lake is also worth exploring, though I had to leave that for another visit this time. 🏞️🐬One thing to note is that reaching the wetland areas requires a bit of hiking, and the landscapes may not be as grandiose as expected. However, if you, like me, have a deep affection for pristine natural environments, this unique, off-the-beaten-path experience is absolutely worthwhile. 🎉🎉 😋After all, it's rare to find such a combination near Houston—one moment you're capturing stunning photos in a 🌿 European-style garden, and the next, you're delving into the secrets of wetland ecology, enjoying a double dose of delight in a single outing!💖 📍 Address: Mercer Botanic Garden and Arboretum ⏰ Operating Hours: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM 🎫 Admission: Free #HoustonParks #HoustonWeekend #HoustonPhotography 🌴💧