Edith and Elizabeth were well known travelers, as noted by the many lectures they gave to Garden Clubs and other interested groups. I was fortunate to follow in their footsteps this winter, as I joined Jane McGary, a good friend of mine and longtime botanical editor for Timber Press, on her eighth trip to Chile.

During our adventure, we drove over 1,500 miles from north of Santiago all the way to the Lakes District in the south. We met some wonderful people, saw amazing birds and wildlife, enjoyed some local gardens and observed many beautiful plant species in their native habitats. Chile has a fantastic diversity of habitats. Our travels took us from arid steppe to subtropical forests and from sea level to over 11,000 feet in elevation.

We encountered orchids growing on recent volcanic lava flows, dramatic waterfalls covered with ferns and gunnera and mountain slopes with giant araucaria trees. The diversity of wildlife was amazing as well, with birds from burrowing parrots to the giant Andean condor, I was even lucky enough to see wild culpeo fox!

Calceolaria at the Laguna De Maule

Oxalis adenophylla at the Laguna de Maule

Rhodophiala are a wonderful bulbous plant in the Amaryllid family

Saw 4 different species of Rhodophiala on this trip

Fuschia magellanica growing in habitat , on the edges of Nothofagus Southern Beech Forests

The Orchids of Conguillo National Park were absolutely stunning

Chile has some phenomenal evergreen trees and the Monkey Puzzle stands out as a centerpiece among them

Embothrium coccineum in habitat at the Rio Bio Bio

The Dog Orchid-Codonorchis at Conquilla National Park growing among Berberis darwinii

A Chilean Fishing village

The Rosulate Violets of the Alpine region are stunning

Nassauvia is a wonderful alpine plant found growing above the tree line.

The Lakes District with its many waterfalls, Rivers and Stunning lakes was a real treat. Not unlike Oregon in many respects.

Saw 12 different species of Calceolaria on this trip

Rhodolirium montanum

Chile has some amazing plants!

Saw several different schizanthus species

The Alpines of the Andes are so beautiful

Stachys

A juvenile Andean Condor

Juvenile Condors at Valle Nevado

The route, over 1500 miles driven, down the Central valley with trips out through the coast range and up the mountain passes

I have about 3,000 photos to organize! I’m working on a lecture that covers this amazing trip which I plan to share with supporters and friends of the Lord and Schryver Conservancy this February.

Stay tuned for this don’t miss event!