A Day at The Botanica Garden of Witchita

Bat Faced, Chicken Gizzard, Candle plants were just a few of the unique names that adorned the name tags.

We were simply overwhelmed with all the different types of plants as we walked along the paths at the Botanica Garden of Wichita.

Bob and Nancy had suggested that we would like to spend an easy day viewing the flowers and plants at the Garden. As soon as we arrived and strolled through the gateway, we were surprised to see such a profusion of flowers. It was fall, a time when we don’t expect such color back home in Wyoming.

As we continued Nancy pointed out the large number of Monarch Butterflies. It seems we had lucked out just as the Monarch migration was moving through the area! The Monarchs were everywhere but were especially attracted to the nectar from a blue floweing plant. How many can you see in the image above?

A few had been tagged with a dot on their left wing, someone was conducting a migration study, but the dot didn’t seem to bother the butterflies. Hummingbird moths were also feeding on the same plants, but their frenetic feeding did not allow us a chance for a great image, they were moving too fast!

One part of the garden was filled with plants that would attract birds and we did see a crested titmouse, along with a pygmy nuthatch. There were other lgb’s, little grey birds, that we were not able to identify, but that’s par for the course.

Hibiscus stood out along the paths in brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges.  A strange looking milkweed had huge balloon shaped pods and of course I can’t remember the full name.

To paraphrase Enrico Fermi, ‘If I could remember the names of all the plants I would have become a botanist.’

Another beautiful and delicate flower with an appropriate name, was called cat whiskers.

A butterfly dome was another attraction and upon entering we saw a delicate orange winged butterfly along with a zebra moth, aptly named because of its stripes.

Leaving the dome, we entered the Haunted Forest where trees had been created from stone and wood to make a delightful fairy garden.

I was able to climb down through the hollowed-out head of a tree giant, it was probably meant for children, but as a retired person I also qualify.  The rules change when you are retired! Another path led us to a series of chimes and we all stopped to play the pipes and drums.

It would be fun to set one up at our place in Star Valley, but I am sure the neighbors would soon tire of the ringing.

A small grotto contained the largest kaleidoscope we have ever seen, and the focus was a large potted gardenia. We all took turns looking through the spy glass while spinning the potted plant. The entire garden was a series of beautiful flowers and magic like devices!

We ate lunch at the cafeteria and then entered the Chinese Garden. The entrance way was adorned with beautiful jade figurines, and two large Foo Dog Statues guarded the entrance. As we neared the pond a school of Koi swam to us looking for food.

It was a great day with friends, and a great way to relax and forget about the tiring drive across the Rockies. The thing I will most remember is the plethora of colorful flowers, the multitude of Monarchs, and the quiet of the Botanica Garden.   Clear skies

Thank you, Nancy and Bob!