Mark and I have just returned from a short trip to Brussels, and as well as doing all the usual touristy things we made a trip to the Belgian Botanical Gardens at Meise.


Mark and a Titan arum


Cryptanthe


The unusual prickly stems of Cyrtosperma johnstonii.




Stapelia variegata var. Planifora




Quite a reasonable sized Trachycarpus martianus in the center.



Not all of the "Plant Palace" was open, as they are undertaking refurbishment and replanting


More photos:
http://www.alternativeeden.com/2011/11/ ... -tour.html

Nice!

Never been at Meise, but I always wanted to visit Laeken, which is open for only two weeks annually.

There's so much to discover...

Steven, Laeken is also on the cards as the glasshouses and specimens inside it are apparently even more spectacular. It's a shame it's only open for two weeks every year, in April which limits the chance to visit. We always check out if there's a nearby botanical gardens or glasshouses whenever we go on city breaks, with some cities having better glasshouses/gardens than others. I agree, there's so much to discover out there...

Cibotium tree ferns in large hanging baskets - now that's something you don't see every day.

I wonder if it's a Belgian thing, weren't they (at one point?) the holder of the largest hanging basket in the world?

Steve, if you've been and have got photos to share I wouldn't mind seeing them

Great pics, thanks for sharing them. I too really enjoy visiting botanical gardens where ever I find them. Often the less known ones have real gems. I've never been to Brussels at all, but if I ever do go there I'll aim to pay a visit to the gardens.
That Titan Arum looks huge!
Was the Stapelia flower smelly?
Pete

Thanks Pete! Funny you mentioned about the Stapelia as there were several in bloom at the same time and there wasn't a nasty whiff inside the glasshouse. I didn't try smelling them up close though.