Postcard From Garvan Woodland Gardens

Garvan Gardens entrance

Garvan Woodland Gardens, located at 550 Arkridge Road in Hot Springs, Arkansas is the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas. Surrounded by the Ouachita Mountains, the garden complex is comprised of a 210-acre peninsula extending into Lake Hamilton. The complex features a Welcome Center with gift shop, a wedding chapel, a restaurant, a serenity garden, a children's play and discovery area, small lakes, streams, shore-line trails and waterfront picnic facilities, miles of paved and groomed trails around and through the different themed area's and thousands upon thousands of plantings.

Pretty Azalea bush

The entry price is $10 per adult (discounts for children and seniors) and for that you can explore and marvel at the wonderful and extremely varied plants and trees for the whole day. Spring and fall are the best times to visit due to the heat and humidity during the mid-summer months, but there is plenty of shade provided by tall trees so even during the hottest months it's not too bad. Various themes with different plantings happen throughout the year so if you go once, you can go again several months later and see something entirely different. Go, take your time and have a thoroughly enjoyable day!

If you want to know about more events in Hot Springs, Arkansas check out my daughters blog post, The Ultimate Guide To The World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade.



One day we visited, the theme was "Colored Glass." Beautiful
colored glass bowls were placed on display throughout the
park. Glass butterfly's, stained glass pictures and different
colored floating glass balls in the streams and ponds added
an unexpectedly enjoyable viewing experience. 

One of the wooded trails which wind throughout the complex
inviting "off the paved walkway" exploring. 



There are many little streams and soothing waterfalls.

Ornamental grass waving in the breeze.

Very persistent Peacock strutted around looking pretty
while begging for part of our picnic lunch. 



Life can spring from the toughest situations

Some kind of cool moss I don't know the name of not 
growing on a rolling stone.



Youngest-daughter feeding the large golden carp
in one of the ponds.