Welcome to the Allerton Garden (Lawa`i-kai in Hawaiian), one of the five beautiful sections to the National Tropical Botanical Gardens in Kauai, Hawaii. In this garden paradise located between the Lawa'i Stream and the Lawa'i Valley, you'll find waterfalls, pools, and statues, set amongst gorgeous gardens, of course.
The different displays at the Allerton Garden will cater to the varied interests of its guests. Like the Palmetum, a special arboretum filled with palm trees from around the world, or the orchard, a large grove where visitors can explore the different fruits of the island, like macadamia nuts, citrus, Ceylon gooseberry, and starfruit. You'll encounter other Hawaiian specialties at the Allerton Garden, like the cascading purple bougainvillea, a favorite of Hawaii's Queen Emma who frequented the gardens in the 1800s, and the Anthurium, a symbol of modern day Hawaii.
The best way to see the garden is to join a tour which travels by foot and vehicle, where expert guides can answer questions about Hawaiian horticultural history. The Allerton Garden is large (80 acres) and extends al the way out to the Pacific Ocean, making for incredible views from all sides. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for exotic and rare Hawaiian plants and the stunning flowers that characterize the beauty of Hawaiian culture.
And you won't be the only one who finds the Allerton Garden so beautiful—in fact, it's been a popular movie location for years and has seen the sets of Jurassic Park, Starsky and Hutch, Magnum Pi, and Donovan's Reef.
You'll be thrilled that you decided to spend an afternoon at the Allerton Garden, a place of serenity, relaxation, and true beauty. Enjoy!
Allerton Garden (Lawa`i-kai) lies between the Pacific Ocean and the McBryde Garden in the Lawa`i Valley, on the south shore of the Hawaiian Island of Kaua`i. It is a garden paradise, transformed through time by the hands of a Hawaiian Queen, by a sugar plantation magnate, and most significantly by an artist and an architect. The endless possibilities found in this dramatic topography led to the creation of this masterpiece of garden art. A series of garden rooms unfold between the Lawa`i Stream and the cliffs of the Valley. The sound of water is in abundance in pools, miniature waterfalls, and fountains. Statues grace this former estate and resonate with a European influence.
Towering rainforest trees with tall curving roots grow near bronze mermaids, a grove of swaying golden bamboo, a cut-flower garden, and tropical fruit trees. Here the focus is on landscape design, but among the plantings are botanically important species of the tropics, including varieties of palms, ki (ti), heliconias, and gingers.
Once a retreat of Hawaii's Queen Emma, the cliffs of the Lawa`i Valley still cascade with her favorite deep-purple bougainvillea. Come delight your senses in this garden of beauty, a masterpiece of landscape design and a natural showcase for tropical plants. Behold the seemingly ancient Jurassic Park trees (Moreton Bay Figs). Stroll through outdoor "rooms," beside rippling pools and dramatic sculpture. Drink in the sights and sounds of fascinating plants, vibrant flowers and flowing water. Taste the flavor of Europe blended with the spirit of Hawai'i. You'll find a place filled with surprises.