Tips for Visiting a Botanical Garden As an Artist

Do you have a botanical garden near you? You might be surprised at how many incredible gardens exist—ranging from small, community-run spaces to world-renowned collections of rare and breathtaking plants.

No matter the size, these gardens are treasure troves of inspiration, bursting with color, texture, and light that practically beg to be painted.

I love visiting the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, and I’ve been lucky enough to find inspiration in gardens all over the world.

From wandering the famous Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands, to admiring thousands of blooms at the International Rose Test Garden in Portland, to soaking in the cacti and succulents at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, every visit has led to fresh paintings and endless inspiration.

Tips for Visiting a Botanical Garden as an Artist

If you haven’t had a chance to visit botanical gardens as an artist before, here are a few of my favorite tips to make the most of your trip.

🌿 Plan Ahead

Check the garden’s schedule for seasonal blooms and special exhibits. Some gardens even offer guided tours that can give you insight into unique plant species.

🎨 Bring a Sketchbook

Jot down quick sketches, gesture drawings, or color swatches—spontaneous studies like these can spark ideas for your next masterpiece.

📸 Take Plenty of Photos

Lighting changes fast, and some blooms are fleeting! Snap photos from different angles so you can create interesting and unique compositions later.

Make sure your phone or camera is fully charged before you go and try to take pictures when the sun is at an angle in the sky instead of directly overhead.

This will give you a strong light source and help keep the colors of the flowers looking natural.

🖌 Slow Down & Observe

Wander at a relaxed pace and take in the little things: the way petals curl at the edges, the shifting colors in a single bloom, how light filters through leaves.

Listen to the sounds of rustling trees, feel the textures of bark and petals—these sensory experiences often translate into richer, more dynamic paintings and can influence some of the mark-making you do when you’re back in your studio.

Sometimes, just being in a garden and letting nature work its magic is enough to spark new ideas.

No rush—let yourself be inspired.

Take a bottle of water, put some sunscreen on, and let the garden do its thing! 🌸

So if you’ve been waiting for a sign to pick up your brushes, this is it!

Paint something inspired by the season—whether it’s a single bloom, a full floral bouquet, or even just a playful color study.

And if you want to learn to paint every flower you see in the botanical garden, join the waitlist for The Garden Studio, my botanical painting membership!