BOTANIC GARDENS OF BELGIUM

This past Sunday we took advantage of the sun making an appearance after a week of grey and rainy days.  But that is typical of Belgium from what I understand.   They say don't wait for a sunny day to get out and do something because you'll have to wait a long time!  So with the sun shining and big puffy clouds in the sky we took a drive to Meise.   Just north of the city to the Botanical Gardens.  

The land and castle was purchased from the royal family by the Belgian state back in 1938.  They worked on establishing the Gardens from around 1947 and in 1958 the glass houses were completed and were finally opened to the public around 1965.   In 1998 they started a renovation project on the Plant Palace.  It is still opened to the public but parts are closed and it looks like it will be great once it's updated.

The park is really large with 227 acres of land and 18,000 different kinds of plants.  I have already filled out my membership form and look forward to returning often.  

I love taking photos of flowers - hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I did taking them.

THE BOUCHOUT CASTLE

JUST TWO OF THE 13 GLASS HOUSES THAT MAKE UP THE PLANT PALACE

CARNIVOROUS PLANTS (we bought a venus fly trap)

A VIEW FROM INSIDE ONE OF THE GLASS HOUSES

AS YOU CAN SEE THEY HAD A GREAT DESERT DISPLAY

THIS WAS A VERY LARGE GARDEN COMPLETELY DEDICATED TO HERBS

BEAUTIFUL FALL COLORS (looks just like New England)

With these chilly fall mornings the fog is really rolling in through the valley.  From our back yard we get these great views!

Next Sunday Derick and Janet arrive so I'm sure to be taking them around to see the sights.   Look for pictures!