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Tucked in the grasp of the mighty Tongass National Forest you will discover an Alaskan botanical garden unlike any found throughout the world. Travel......
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Owner description:
Tucked in the grasp of the mighty Tongass National Forest you will discover an Alaskan botanical garden unlike any found throughout the world. Travel onboard a guided tour through 50 acres of temperate rainforest in covered vehicles learning about native plant species such as Sitka Spruce and Hemlock trees, devil’s club, and skunk cabbage. No tour gives you easier access to the gorgeous Tongass. Learn about gardening in the far north under vibrant hanging gardens spilling from 15-foot-tall upside-down tree “Flower Towers.” This unique tour is a gardener’s dream, a great way to explore the rainforest, and offers unmatched accessibility to outstanding panoramic views of Juneau.The vast gardens are the creation of Steve and Cindy Bowhay, former local commercial fisherman and master gardeners. The garden started as a simple stream rehabilitation project but took on a life of its own. From a planned “small nursery,” the family run purchased more property, developed trails, designed and installed botanical gardens, and finally started a tour in 1998 to share the beauty of the Juneau area.The covered vehicles on these guided tours carry up to 18 passengers for large groups, and six passenger carts for smaller groups. Your guide will escort you through the gardens and into the rugged and unforgiving Tongass habitat to explain about the history of this property and to highlight the fascinating characteristics of the natural environment you now find yourself. Bright floral arrangements and elegantly designed landscapes complement the natural beauty of the towering temperate rainforest and the cascading waterfalls bubbling nearby. Your expert guide answers questions and offers insights as you travel a two-mile pathway through the country’s largest National Forest. On your 40-minute ride through the forest, there’s a short break for a hike to an amazing cliff-side viewpoint. Here, the thick forest gives way to a sweeping view of Juneau, the Mendenhall Valley, Gastineau Channel, Douglas Island, and the Chilkat Mountains. At nearly 600 feet, it’s the perfect spot for snapping photos and scanning for soaring eagles or playing ravens. Your guide will describe the view and will give some depth to this alpine area. The Visitor’s Center features a live video feed from a camera aimed at an active bald eagles nest that is found on the property. You can find the feed online at our website as well.You return to the gardens where you can spend more time meandering the grounds and visiting the Visitor’s Center atrium which is filled with even more floral structures, such as the heart shaped impatiences, and hanging flower gardens – some petunias stretch to up to 12 feet long! The Garden Shop sells great garden specific gifts like the wildflower-seed packets that you can plant at home, and the Garden Café serves espresso drinks, beverages, and snacks.
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