Spring Blooms: A Guide to the Best Botanical Gardens in Hawaii
Springtime is one of the most beautiful times of the year. The season brings a sense of renewal and growth. It is accompanied by beautiful scenes of nature in bloom. Botanical Gardens Hawaii are great places to experience all that spring has to offer us. With fewer crowds, warmer weather, and less rain, now is a perfect time to book your spring vacation at our bed and breakfast in Volcano, Hawaii. When you stay with us, you will feel one with nature.
Flowers are a quintessential symbol of springtime. There’s no better place to see them in view than at the botanical gardens in Hawaii. These magnificent displays of rare flora promote the protection of the delicate ecosystem they thrive in. Make sure to plan a visit to these areas on your trip to the Big Island.
Read on to learn where the best botanical gardens in Hawaii are, and top activities to do in the spring!
Exploring Botanical Gardens Hawaii
The best botanical gardens in Hawaii are scattered throughout the island, and you will very likely pass by a few on your way down to us in Volcano, HI. The climate is ideal to create such biodiverse places. Trade winds, moderate temperatures, and fertile volcanic soil equal a perfect balance of lush greenery.
Botanical gardens are important for several reasons. They are a collection of living plants designed for scientific research and allow researchers to understand the relationships between plants. Botanical gardens teach the public about conservation efforts and how to minimize our impact. Lastly, the gardens are a magnificent display of vibrant color and life. You may never see anything quite like it!
You will find various types of plants in the different layers of the rainforest – canopy, understory, and forest floor. The canopy layer is prominent with the state tree of Hawaii, ʻōhiʻa lehua, which blooms many spectacular red flowers.
The understory consists of smaller trees and shrubs. There is a lot of shade creating more humid air and the best spot for plants to thrive. One such plant is what locals call ‘ape’ape. They are not very common, but you will notice them right away. Their enormous leaves range between three and four feet wide! Flowers are vibrant not only to the passerby, but notably by insects and animals in the dimmer light to successfully have their pollen collected.
The forest floor is often damp and dark. You may find ferns and berries here, like the ʻākala, also known as the ‘Hawaiian raspberry.’ Although edible, it is somewhat bitter and sourer than a regular raspberry.
Top Botanical Gardens in Hawaii
Luckily, many of the best botanical gardens Hawaii are found on the Big Island, perfect for a day trip when you come to stay with us at our Volcano bed and breakfast. Below are a few destinations we love recommending to our guests.
Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden
This garden offers over a mile of trails bordered by thousands of endangered and rare plants from around the world. Just a 15-minute drive north of Hilo on the Hamakua Coast, you will experience Hawaii on a totally other level. The park features a specific orchid garden and a lily pond. HTBG has a heavy focus on education allowing visitors of all ages to learn something new with every visit. If you’d like to support their conservation efforts, you can gift a donation to this nonprofit organization.
Liliuokalani Gardens
In historic downtown Hilo, you will find Liliuokalani Gardens. This is the largest Edo-style ornamental garden outside of Japan. Bridges, gazebos, lanterns, and sculptures were imported in from Japan and developed into a charming park carved by rock gardens and koi ponds. Inside the park, Coconut Island highlights expansive views of Hilo Bay and is accessible by footbridge. The park honors the Japanese immigrants who worked the sugar cane fields on the island to help the local agricultural economy grow. The gardens are named after the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, Queen Liliuokalani.
Botanical Garden at the University of Hawaii – Hilo
Located on the university campus, this botanical garden experiences substantial rains averaging 2.4 inches or more per month. The moisture breeds life like no other here. Hundreds of students research the diversity of flora for their studies. The public can explore the gardens to their heart’s content as well. Admission is free! If you feel like giving back to this community, you can reach out to garden keepers on the campus to volunteer. Groups perform tasks like planting ground cover or native palm trees.
Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens
The only rainforest zoo in the US is located on the outskirts of Hilo. The Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens is home to more than 80 animal species, giving many of them a sanctuary to recover and thrive. Explore exotic wildlife among the lush greenery of the gardens that surround the property. Admission to the zoo is free and donations are appreciated. The next special event hosted by the zoo is the plant sale fundraiser on April 27, 2024. Pick up a beautiful native plant here!
Akatsuka Orchid Gardens
Probably our favorite botanical garden is right here at home in Volcano, HI. The Akatsuka Orchid Gardens is a nursery that has been around for 50 years cultivating the most magnificent flowers you may ever see. They house the $20,000 Lady Slipper orchid and other famous and rare species. The orchid farm offers a 45-minute guided tour of the showroom and greenhouse growing facility. They also offer a tasting of their original Poha berry ice cream. Use the 10% discount offered on the tour and collect yourself an unforgettable travel souvenir!
Plan your visit and experience Botanical Gardens Hawaii
There are other ways to enjoy spring in Hawaii beyond watching the remarkable flowers of Hawaii bloom. See how the best botanical gardens of Hawaii came to be by visiting Volcanoes National Park, only 5 minutes from our Volcano bed and breakfast. Walk on one of the many trails to understand how the climate and geography create perfect ecosystems. Make new friends on a conservation volunteer group outing or take the kids on an educational program at the zoo.
Before visiting the botanical gardens remember that some locations are free to enter, while others cost a fee. Several gardens have shorter hours of operation than others. Most, but not all, are accessible to those with mobility issues. Make sure to check before visiting the park or ask one of our staff members!
After walking amidst the flowers, check out Hilo, the closest city to us. Some of the best seafood is prepped here. The fun dining atmospheres give you an ideal ending to a fulfilling day.
If you want to connect with nature and immerse yourself in the beauty of botanical gardens Hawaii, then book your stay with us at the Volcano Village Lodge. We will help you feel rejuvenated on your next spring vacation!