Take a 900 year old Buddha and Cajun/Asian fusion all wrapped up in the dream of preservation from one man and you get the Jungle Gardens.
We’ve talked about Tabasco on Avery Island but there’s so much more to see on this beautiful island.
Tabasco founder, Edmund McIlhenney had a son named Edward was a dedicated conservationist and founded expansive conservation efforts on the island that is now called the Jungle Gardens. The crazy thing is, many people head to Tabasco and never notice the Jungle Gardens and they are truly missing out.
Edmund began transforming his estate into the lush gardens and eventually opened it to the public in 1935. He continued growing it until it reached the over 170 acres that it is today.
The Jungle Gardens started with Edward’s love of birds. He created Bird City, an aviary for snowy Egrets in 1895. He raised 8 snowy egrets in captivity and then released them hoping they would return. And they did! Today, there is an observation tower overlooking the lagoon where you can see the large wooden platforms of Bird City. You will see the egrets returning around late January each year where they build their nests and get ready for their eggs to hatch. Word is, there have been as many as 100,000 egrets on the island at a time. Bird City is quite a sight when the egrets are there nesting!
It is also said that Edward collected plants from all over the world, specifically Southeast Asia. There are plants on the island that you won’t find a local nursery!
Edward cultivated more than 100 varieties of camellias and over 64 varieties of bamboo that were grown as part of a cooperative effort with the USDA. There is also a wisteria arch that you can drive under and when it is in bloom it is sight to behold! And let’s not forget the azaleas. The colors are stunning.
And then there’s the oaks. One is named the Cleveland Oak, named for Grover Cleveland who visited the McIlhenney family on the island. It is estimated that many of the oaks are over 400 years old, so those happened naturally, they weren’t planted. There are almost too many to count and to say they are big and beautiful doesn’t do them justice.
If you’ve ever heard of Avery Island, you may be aware of the Buddha. Yes, there’s a Buddha in south Louisiana. As the story goes that I found, a rebel general stole the Buddha from a Chinese temple and brought it to New York to sell it. The problem was, he got caught by the Chinese and beheaded. A couple of investor friends of McIlhenney’s found it at an auction and bought it for him in 1936. They evidently thought he needed a Buddha that is over 900 years old for his garden. Who knew? So they put it on a rail car and sent it to him!
The 900 year old Buddha was given a place of honor inside a glass shrine atop a small hill, one of seven Hills of Knowledge that McIlhenney built around the statue. He also built an Asian style garden befitting the Buddha that includes a small pond and stone arched bridge. There are even times when the local Buddhist community will visit the Buddha for prayers or perhaps a ceremony.
In fact, many of the attractions in the gardens have an Asian influence like the Sunken Gardens and Palm Gardens.
There is a 5 mile loop you can drive that winds around the oaks, azaleas and lagoons that allow you to soak it all in. Of if you wish you can walk shorter trails.
It fills my heart with happiness that Edward McIlhenney sought to preserve the jungle gardens with such love and passion. He created a space that has served generations and will continue to for generations to come. A place not only to enjoy but where those inclined can study.
Avery island and the Jungle Gardens are open to visitors and I highly recommend you visit if you are able. I hope you will enjoy learning about the fascinating history of the island, Tabasco and jungle gardens like I have. Visit tabasco.com for information and to plan your trip.
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