Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
The zoo's gardens (and horticulture department) have been defining this zoo for 45 years. The horticulture department is larger than at most USA zoos but the zoo is also a botanical garden. There is no other botanical garden in or near Cincinnati. The zoo's horticulture department works closely with area nurseries and runs trials of annual flowers evaluating best varieties for local gardens. The plant collection must number at least 4,000 taxa by now (just a guess: it was over 3,000 when I was there in the '90s)I liked their new Roo Valley, nicely done by their gardening department. I think it must be rather work intensive to keep it in good shape in future. And I don´t mind the cost, Americans are rich and can afford it.