Let's face it, beautiful plants in a zoo are always going to play second fiddle to the main attraction. But let me show you a fine tropical garden that just happens to be called the HOUSTON ZOO. Our kids are finally grown so my wife and I can stroll through the zoo and gardens at our own pace. It's a cozy, medium-sized zoo that takes about 3 hours to fully enjoy.
The exotic plantings, palms, and bamboo provide some of the most beautiful tropical scenery you'll see in Houston.
The exotic plantings, palms, and bamboo provide some of the most beautiful tropical scenery you'll see in Houston.
The colorful entrance
Fan palm and thatched bird houses nestled in a quiet corner
Agaves near the entrance
A beautiful begonia in a planter
With so many plants, sometimes it's hard to find the animals!
A magnificent tree cycad
Banana trees add to the tropical feel. That's my wife in tropicalesque attire.
My favorite part ~ the open air flamingo ponds.
A nice planting of our native Sabal minor palms under various trees like the live oaks
Even the awnings are green!
Clerodendrum paniculata ? Wow, didn't know it could grow here!
Meerkats from Africa
The zoo? What zoo? Yes, we are still inside the Houston Zoo!
I'm stumped, what is this? I love it!
Persian shield and bamboo
What is this? I'm stumped again!
The African Wild Dogs were fun
Sadly, the giraffes eat ALL the ground cover. They are well cared for and had plenty of hay and mixed greens inside their giant enclosures.
A lovely silver palm.
The American beautyberries were everywhere and in bloom
A famous statue by our friend, Ann Armstrong
So many animals like this duck are free to go anywhere they want.
Purple Porterweed and Cape Daisy strutting their stuff
What's that you see? Let's have a closer look.
The baby bunnies were everywhere and quite tame.
Rangoon Creeper climbing next to the Meerkats.
The Live Oaks frame my favorite view of the Houston Zoo.
Thanks for visiting Tropical Texana.
Houston Zoo ~ Part II will show scenes from the new African exhibit.
David/:0)
