Foster Botanical: A Peaceful Garden In The Midst Of Busy Downtown Honolulu
On an interesting note, none of these gardens would have existed when David Douglas (1799–1834), a Scottish naturalist and tree lover, visited these islands (then known as the Sandwich Islands) nearly a century before either of the two founders were born. Hawaii must have been a wonderful place back then, since birds were so docile that he recalls picking one up from a limb to examine it. Douglas trekked up Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Kilauea volcanoes and spent time on O'ahu, thus his descriptions of some of the ancient plants are interesting. There are different stories of Douglas' untimely death in a bull pit at the age of 35; his tombstone is in a church near the current Foster Botanical Garden. A variety of spices, herbs, colors, poisons, and beverage plants, including coffee and black pepper plants, may be found in this garden.
The Cannonball Tree is one of the garden's many unusual plants, with beautiful blooms and hefty-looking cannonballs growing straight from the trunk. Visitors are advised to be cautious of falling cannonballs. Orchids of various forms, sizes, and colors abound in the indoor conservatory. This section of the garden is a flower photographer's dream, since it is often glistening with dew after a recent watering. At the park's entrance, there is a Foster Botanical Garden gift store, and visitors are given a free map and explanation of many of the plants and trees in the garden.
Foster Botanical Garden Events
June and July are the best months to visit Foster Botanical Garden. Each month, there is a different Foster Botanical Garden Summer Twilight Series with live music that will leave your toes tapping in time or give you an emotional response! The event starts at 4:00pm but if you want seats close to the stage for this one-of-a-kind experience make sure not wait until the last minute.
Foster is the oldest of five Honolulu Botanical Gardens maintained by the City and County of Honolulu, with 14 acres of lush foliage, unique tropical vegetation, and beautiful palm palms. For little children: Ideal for play dates, picnic lunches, and being outside in nature. Cell phones are, of course, permitted in the garden! But it's great when teenagers are free of electronics for half a day. Seriously, Foster offers a mental break for overworked, overstimulated children of all ages.
