The Botanical Gardens in the Local Ecology Guide
Located South of Puerto Vallarta, the Botanical Gardens, with spectacular summer colors, grow as a beautiful jungle wonderland in paradise
Summertime rains heighten the beauty of The Botanical Gardens as a cobblestone drive winds around the Sierra Madre Mountains and jungle plants to gardens below of colorful flowers. About 6,000 Blue Agave (the source of tequila) provide a backdrop. On the property are a natural swimming hole and waterfalls, a tropical bird sanctuary, and jungle trails for you to enjoy. Along with fern grotto, the area is a paradise for morning glories.
Proprietor and curator Bob Price, with his Mother, Betty, made his dream come true. He lived in San Francisco and while visiting in Puerto Vallarta three years ago decided to live here. He found 25 acres south of town two years ago, and with a lot of hard work, this past year opened The Botanical Gardens. “This is my life’s work now”, he points out.
We as individuals with our families and organizations such as children’s shelters can enjoy the beauty and fun of The Botanical Gardens. When you arrive, with yellow butterflies flying about, the central two-story open building of wood, steel and concrete (built for earthquake protection), perched on a ridge overlooking the jungle, is the gathering place for viewing the scenic surroundings, along with a river winding by the building. Meetings such as the Orchid Society, book signings such as for Linda Abbott Trap’s new book, “Ornamental Plants and Flowers of Tropical Mexico”, on July 29 and 30 from 1:00pm-4:00pm, and discussions on subjects from vanilla orchid plants to basket weaving to tarot card reading take place in this Plantation House. It is beautifully decorated with couches, tables, large dark brown ceramic pots, terra cotta pots and local wicker baskets. A restaurant features daily menus of salads, Mexican appetizers and gourmet pizzas, and extensive menus are available for banquets, events and weddings.
Important research on wild flowers and plants in the biodiversity of The Botanical Gardens is being conducted. Price points out scientists worldwide are interested in this area of Mexico where plants are unexplored. “We have started an orchid farm here. It is in its beginning stages”, he says, and is one of the primary interests on land that is a protected jungle area. There are 100 different varieties of orchids. He is growing 5,000 baby orchid plants in his retail orchid nursery, and he is working on getting 1,200 orchids of Mexico into his collection. The Botanical Gardens also are a birding hotspot with ornithologists involved in research, including from Yale University. Price is working to have The Botanical Gardens under a non-profit administration, thus being eligible for grants and donations. The Botanical Gardens are registered with Conservation International and will be part of an international agenda for conservation.
