Secret Gardens

"Secret Gardens of the heart.
Where the flowers bloom forever.
I see you shining through the night
In the ice and snow of winter."
- Judy Collins




Our second stop today was to meet some friends at the Helsinki Botanical Gardens. Part of the Finnish Museum of Natural History, the gardens are located in the heart of the city, just north of the train station. As the exterior gardens are in a dormant phase from the winter weather, the inside is flourishing with life. The Palm House, Rainforest House, Desert House, Water Lily House, South African and Mediterranean Houses all offer a variety of plants, flowers, and vegetation.


Flowers and leaves were examined with a magnifying glass while we explored. As a learning project we used eggshells, soil, beans, and water to plant our own garden. The boys took turns filling the shells, planting the beans, and adding water from the fountain. The egg crate now sits in our windowsill, gathering sunlight. We will watch them grow...hopefully! Then we bought rubber snakes from the gift shop and hid them in each garden as the children went to seek.