Road Trip Garden-Sadie Seymour Botanical Garden
Kona, Hawaii
Sadie Seymour Botanical Garden is adjacent to the Kona Education Center in Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii. The lush 1.5-acre garden was created by landscape architect Scott Seymour and named for his mother, who founded the Kona Outdoor Circle. The terraced garden grounds showcase plants of the Pacific Islands, Austral, Indo-Malayan, Indo-Asian, Asian, Mediterranean, African, West Indian, South American, and Central America, as well as native Hawaii plants before contact by Polynesians.
A convenient digital guided tour is available through the website that provides plant information for visitors.
The Kona Education Center also houses the Full Circle Thrift Shop and a Rental Room for social functions. Next to the Education Center is the historic ritual site Kealakowa’a Heiau, which is undergoing a three-year restoration project from earthquake damage.
What I love about this garden.
–Educational and beautiful, with ample signage describing the plant groupings.
-Incredible diversity for such a small garden.
-Easily accessible right off of the main highway just outside town.
Know before you go;
-This side of the island usually is sunny and dry, with 10-18″ of rainfall a year and an average temperature between 67 and 87 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the month. This is the weather most people imagine when they think of Hawaii. Unlike the other side of the Big Island, you can most likely leave the umbrella in the car.
-Garden is open Monday-Friday 9-4
-Do not miss the Jade plant-covered pergola at the entrance!
-Restrooms are available only in the Education Center.
-No food or drink is available.
-Free parking and garden entrance, but donations are appreciated.
Quick Facts;
-Established in 1986.
-Size-1.5 acre
-Distance from St. Louis-4,038 miles. Pack a lunch … and a suitcase.
Other nearby plant-geek attractions;
Hawaii Botanical Garden- Road Trip Garden-Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden
Liliuokalani Gardens- Road Trip Garden-Liliuokalani Gardens
Alae Cemetery, Hilo Hawaii
Lahola Chocolate Farm, Hilo, Hawaii
Banyan Drive, Hilo, Hawaii
Volcano National Park
-Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2025, All rights reserved.
