Kyiv Botanical Gardens

Today is the end of the long Victory Day weekend (equivalent to Memorial Day). A day off for most people, so several of us went to the botanical gardens. When we were planning it yesterday, I don't think any of us quite believed Julie when she said we'd want to go earlier as opposed to later to avoid the crowds. I mean- the botanical gardens, right? How many people are going to be there???? well- we now know. And we are jolly glad we didn't go later than 11 am. goodness sakes. It was beautiful (in spite of the crowds). And spent with special people- you can't ask for more on a gorgeous late-spring day.







the entrance- dedicated to tulips













irises- possibly my favorite bulb





























These looked like peonies, smelled like peonies... but I've never seen them before. On a bush that was far more permanent than your typical peony. If this dies down each fall, I'd be surprised; looked like a shrub.




magnolias




and a mystery flower among the vinca
and other beds and flowers and plants















But the stars of the whole show, by far, were the lilacs; you could smell them everywhere. There must be hundreds of them in there...




there were just a few people there... just a few thousand...

















and a man making beautiful music

The crowds flocking to the entrance were 5 times larger when we left than when we arrived. About a 20 min walk from the gardens to the metro; the sidewalks on both sides of the street were choked with people going the opposite direction the whole way... unreal. I've seldom seen similar crowds; it was like being at an amusement park. Seemed like a million of Kyiv's 5 million (or so) population was there today.