The Jardim Botânico de Curitiba, or Botanical Garden of Curitiba, is located in the capital city of the Brazilian state of Paraná. As visitors enter this French garden-style park, they are transported back to the mid-19th Century through beautiful and breathtaking greenhouse design. In addition to featuring several botanical exhibits, this 240-square meter botanical garden is also home to two museums and several other buildings available for public use as well.

The Gardens

The Botanical Garden of Curitiba was opened in 1991 and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area. Visitors enter the park through a series of curved portals; footpaths inside the park lead through the park’s native forest to its gardens, lakes, waterfalls, and fountains. Its main greenhouse, built in the art nouveau style, creates a striking visual landmark that covers 458 square meters. Inside the greenhouse, visitors can explore the large collection of stunning tropical plants and flowers.

The Museums

The Jardim Botânico de Curitiba also contains two separate museums. At the Museum of Franz Krajcberg, visitors can view sculptures, reliefs, and other visual works of art that include photographs, videos, and paintings that convey a message of environmental conservation. This museum also contains classrooms, lounges, and a 60-seat auditorium. The property’s second museum is the Botanical Museum, which is accessed via a wooden bridge and contains Brazil’s fourth-largest herbarium. Near this museum, visitors will find a pond teeming with native wildlife, an auditorium, a library, and even tennis courts and a bicycling track.

Keukenhof, or “kitchen garden” in Dutch, is also known as the Garden of Europe. Located in the town of Lisse in the Netherlands, Keukenhof is among the largest flower gardens in the world. This garden, which is open to the public between the months of March and May, features millions of flower bulbs planted in an area covering nearly 80 acres of land in South Holland.

The History of Keukenhof

In the 15th century, Keukenhof was a hunting ground that also provided herbs for the kitchen of the Countess of Hainaut. After the countess’ death, the castle was subsequently occupied by several merchants and other political and military figures, until the Baron and Baroness Van Pallandt expressed a desire to improve the grounds around the castle. To this end, they hired landscape architect Jan David Zocher and his son, who had designed the Vondelpark in Amsterdam. In 1949, the garden itself was established with the intent to create an exhibit where growers could show off flowers from the Netherlands and Europe.

The Layout of Keukenhof

Today, Keukenhof remains one of the largest and most prestigious flower gardens in the world. It contains approximately seven million bulbs and several different gardens in various styles. These styles include traditional English landscape design (dating back to the 1830s and developed by the the Zochers), a water garden, and a Japanese country garden. The original Castle Keukenhof remains on the grounds and serves as a setting for festivals, concerts, and other celebrations throughout the year.

With Tucson’s mild winter climate, certain plants and trees can bloom year-round. Thanks to these hardy plants, Tucson landscapes can create beautiful blooms and colors for everyone to experience no matter the time of year. Here is a closer look at some plants that bloom in the winter:

Acacia Trees

Acacia trees can grow quickly, and they will typically reach a height of 15 to 25 feet. The flowers that bloom from fall through spring can appear orange or yellow. These flowers look and feel soft, similar to puffballs. The leaves are tiny and green; however, there are many leaves, which help create a sufficient amount of shade once the Acacia grows to its full height.

Lantana Shrubs

Lantanas grow very quickly and can reach a size of two to four feet high and wide. They can grow most of the year, especially in a mild climate. The multicolored flowers are usually clustered together and fade outward from red to orange to yellow. The leaves are rough to the touch and will release a strong odor when they are crushed.

Bougainvillea Vines

Bougainvillea are a common flower found around Tucson and Southern Arizona. The vines can grow between 20 and 40 feet long. Bougainvillea vines are typically thorny, but some species are thornless. The flowers can bloom year-round, depending on the climate zone. If the vines are kept safe and covered during Tucson’s occasional freezing temperatures, the blooms may continue to grow through the winter months.

Mexican Honeysuckle Shrubs

Mexican honeysuckles grow to about three feet high and four feet wide. They can bloom from mid-winter to mid-fall, if they are kept safe from freezing. The blooms are typically orange in color and tubular in shape.

Trust the experienced landscapers of Santa Rita Landscaping to care for residential and commercial landscaping during the Tucson winters. We have over 30 years of experience in Tucson, so we know how to prepare yards for winter and recommend the right plants to keep Tucson landscapes beautiful year-round. Please call us at (520) 623-0421 to set up an appointment right away.

Whether you have a minimal-looking landscape or an illustrious green paradise, you should prepare it for the coming winter. Raking, overseeding, and frequent irrigation checks are crucial if you want to maintain the look and function of your yard. Continue reading to learn more about preparing your yard for winter.

Rake Regularly

As the leaves begin to fall, they will collect all over your yard. With dead leaves and yard debris clogging up your yard, the grass and plants become choked against the outside air and sunlight. These same areas may also experience mold and rot if they are too damp; this could kill whatever plants you do have. Ensure that your yard is raked regularly during the winter, and do not leave piles of leaves around the yard. You could end up with dead spots in your yard or lawn, as well as a perfect breeding ground for cockroaches and other bugs.

Overseed the Grass

If you have a grass lawn, then winter is the time to prepare it for spring. Make sure the grass is mown low, so that the weak sunlight can reach the roots. Aerate the lawn too, and then overseed the entire area with Rye grass seeds. Go over your grass lawn several times to ensure you have full coverage, and water your lawn well. This will help the grass to become accustomed to the ground before the winter cold begins.

Check on Irrigation

Many landscape designs are built with an irrigation system. This system may be located underground or above ground, but it can water your plants, trees, and lawn on a timer or with a twist of the spigot. Though Tucson does not experience frequent freezes, there are usually a few frost warnings throughout each winter. Ensure that your outside plumbing and irrigation is insulated against freezing, and check on your irrigation frequently during the winter.

Call Santa Rita Landscaping in Tucson to help prepare your yard this winter. We are available to book your next appointment at (520) 623-0421.