As it was a beautiful day out, we took a drive down to Churchville to visit the lovely folks at Bergen Water Gardens. What’s not to like about a place that specializes in orchids, carnivorous plants, waterlilies, and lotus?

Overall, I’ve had good experiences purchasing exotic plants online, but it’s truly marvelous to be able to walk in to a local nursury, look around, and talk to a friendly and knowledgeable staff like at Bergen Water Gardens.

Their Victoria, giant platter waterlily, recently reached 40 inches in diameter, which is pretty impressive given this summer’s cooler temperatures and Western, NY’s short growing season.

Our hopes are to construct a water garden of our own next summer. Nothing too grand, but a place to display a few lotuses. We’ll be back at Bergen Water Gardens soon!

My eye couldn’t help but notice a lovely orchid that just had to come home with us. The flowers are so amazingly fragrant.