Boston Flora

Tag: Las Cruces Biological Station

  • Saturday, November 16 – Sunday, November 24 – Costa Rica: Exotic Flora and Fauna

    Join Pacific Horticultural Society November 16 – 24 for a unique opportunity to tour the eco-tourism capital of Central America. As one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, Costa Rica boasts cool cloud forests, lush riverbanks, exotic waterfalls, and tropical dry forests.

    We’ll visit private gardens and botanical gardens that support some of the highest density of rare flora and fauna in the world. Our itinerary includes Wilson Botanical Gardens, Nectandra Cloud Forest, and Las Cruces Biological Station. We’ll also visit Chester Skotak, a world-renowned author and bromeliad hybridizer, who has led numerous plant collecting expeditions throughout Central America. A must-see, of course, is the Else Kientzler Garden where we will see a spectacular collection of orchids as we walk along the trails of this gorgeous garden. Included in Else’s garden is Costa Rica’s national flower, pictured below, known locally as guaria morada (Guarianthe skinneri), sometimes referred to as the Easter orchid. Approximately $4,000 per person, $708 single supplement.

    For complete itinerary details and information about booking this trip click www.sterlinggardentours.com/costarica2019

  • Wednesday, March 23 – Thursday, March 31 – Costa Rica

    Join Pacific Horticulture March 23 – 31, 2016 as we explore this jewel of the neotropics. Situated at the southern end of Central America, Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity is a concentration of the plants, birds, and animals from both Central and South America.

    You’ll encounter a variety of microclimates including cloud forest, sub-tropical montane forest, dense riparian jungle, and lush rain forest habitats all the while learning about the remarkable flora and fauna of each region including orchids, heliconias, bromeliads, and ferns.

    You’ll visit well-recognized destinations such as such as the Nectandra Cloud Forest (pictured) and the Las Cruces Biological Station with its 800 butterfly species and 400 native and migratory bird species.

    Our tour includes major public gardens that you’d expect to enjoy on a trip to Costa Rica as well as private reserves and gardens not found on most. These include spectacular orchid collections, tropical plants thriving along the humid Caribbean coast, and a butterfly “farm.”

    Many different species of trees can be seen in the high altitude forests of Cerro de la Muerte mountain, which is also considered a bird watcher’s paradise with fairly common sightings of the iconic Resplendent Quetzal, Emerald Toucanettes, and hummingbirds.

    You’ll stay in metropolitan San Jose for a short portion of your trip, in cabins at the Las Cruces Reserve and the Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve and Spa the balance, letting you experience this progressive country at its finest. For more information visit www.pacifichorticulture.org.