点评:On a drive to Brevard, my husband and I took a detour to visit the Highlands Biological Station's Botanical Garden, and we're so glad we did. This is a wonderful stop for those who appreciate a natural, rustic environment over a formal, manicured garden.
First, a crucial tip: The gardens are on Horse Cove Road, which is a different address from the main research station. Don't just follow your GPS! Parking is limited right at the entrance, but other spots are available nearby.
We started in the nature center, which features clean restrooms, informative exhibits, and a lovely gift shop where we found two nature books for our granddaughter. To access the gardens, simply head out the back door.
The trails are easily walkable, though they can be a bit confusing. However, the area is small enough that it's easy to backtrack. The path conditions vary from smooth dirt to more rugged sections with roots, so visitors with mobility concerns should be cautious. We appreciated that many native plants were labeled. The wooden walkways, especially near the pond with its blooming lily pads, were a highlight, as was the small creek with educational signs about the Appalachian ecosystem.
If you want to see the authentic flora and fauna of the region, this is the perfect place to spend an hour or two.
翻译:在开车去布里瓦德的路上,我和丈夫绕道参观了高地生物站的植物园,我们非常庆幸自己这么做了。对于那些喜欢自然质朴的环境而非正式修剪整齐的花园的人来说,这里是一个绝佳的去处。
首先,一个重要提示:植物园位于马湾路 (Horse Cove Road),与主研究站的地址不同。不要只跟着你的GPS走!入口处的停车位有限,但附近还有其他停车位。
我们从自然中心出发,那里有干净的卫生间、内容丰富的展览,还有一家可爱的礼品店,我们在那里为孙女找到了两本关于自然的书。要进入植物园,只需从后门出去即可。
小径很容易行走,尽管可能会有点令人困惑。不过,由于区域较小,很容易走回头路。道路状况各不相同,从平坦的泥土路到崎岖不平、有树根的路段,因此行动不便的游客应谨慎行事。我们很感激许多本地植物都贴上了标签。木质步道,尤其是靠近池塘边盛开的睡莲叶,是一大亮点,小溪旁的标牌上还设有关于阿巴拉契亚生态系统的科普标志。
如果您想观赏该地区原汁原味的动植物,这里是消磨一两个小时的理想场所。