A Lush Oasis In Indiana, The Friendship Botanic Garden In Michigan City Is A Peaceful Escape
By Tori Jane|Published May 11, 2021
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Okay, so, maybe Indiana isn’t exactly a barren wasteland, but sometimes, it’s nice to find a beautiful respite among nature and earthy things even when you’re already surrounded by greenery. Enter the Friendship Botanic Garden in Indiana, a volunteer-based, not-for-profit haven of lush, well-kept, and much-loved gardens, pond, and more in Michigan City.
It's so beautiful and serene that the garden has become a much-desired location for weddings, proms, and other formal events. We certainly don't blame anyone - it's truly beautiful here, and at many places, it feels like a fairy-tale setting.
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The gardens opened to the public in the mid-1930s, and at that time, it was made up of 14 ethnic gardens, the Theater of Nations, and the Symphony Theater.
Friendship Botanic Gardens was, from its very beginning, a global effort. World leaders and folks from around the globe sent incredible gifts; for example, the Queen of the Netherlands sent 200,000 tulips. The King of England sent over a gardener and some plants from the UK to create a pristine English garden. Persia sent roses.
Today, the garden is a place of extraordinary beauty and total serenity, just as it has been for decades, even if during the late 1960s, maintenance fell to the wayside.
It nearly met its end in 2002, when it was inexplicably the target of two arsons, which destroyed some historic buildings and plenty of expensive tools.
It was decided that the gardens would be restored, renovated, and updated.
In 2014, efforts to revamp the grounds began. For the last several years, the garden has been in a constant state of improvement, and it's maintained by a small team that cares very much for maintaining the peaceful, serene little oasis for generations to come.
It doesn't matter which time of year you decide to visit, but if we may make a suggestion - come during every season.
In the spring months, the flowers are vivid, brilliant, and plentiful. During summer, the park is lush and green and teeming with life. The colors during autumn are absolutely incredible, and there's nothing quite like taking pictures when the entire garden becomes a winter wonderland.
You can expect to make lots of friends here - but they won't all be people.
The Friendship Botanic Garden in Indiana is a great place for bird watching, as well as for those who appreciate butterflies and other pollinators. You'll see several species of butterflies and, when the time is right, the hummingbirds flock here to gather sweet nectar from plentiful flowers.
For the most up-to-date hours and information, as well as lots of stunning pictures and a schedule of events, make sure to visit the Friendship Botanic Garden website.
What do you think? Have you ever been to this awe-inspiring Indiana paradise? Tell us your favorite gardens in the comments!
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