HINGHAM, Mass. - BostonChron -- If you have never been to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, it is definitely a sight to see. Make sure you have allotted yourself enough time though. There are so many paths to wander down and exhibits to view in this 1,200-acre public garden. Their mission is to "welcome, inform and inspire all through outstanding displays, protected natural areas, horticultural research and education."

My recent trip to Minneapolis included a tour of the Arboretum that was nowhere near long enough. There are both paved and wooded trails, 28 specialty gardens, 5,900 unique species, cultivars and hybrids, 44 plant collections and many permanent pieces of art. There is even the Farm at the Arb with a restored barn and home to a bee and pollinator center.

Luckily, I was there before the high heat of the day. I saw bright areas of color that were just calling to me. I started up the trail and realized that I was on the Peony walk. The colors and varieties were so beautiful. There were benches along the way if you wanted to rest a bit and just drink in the colors.

I continued my meandering to the Japanese Garden. Here I stayed for a few minutes to drink in the tranquility. The waterfall drew my eye and made me feel a deep sense of peace. It was hard to believe that there was even anyone else around. It makes me want to build one in my own backyard.

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Off to the side I noticed the Hosta Glade. I love hostas. To me they are beautiful and elegant. They are one of the first plants I ever successfully planted and nurtured. The varying shades of green reminded me of a Monet painting. Another place I could have spent hours.

I continued walking and followed various paths through wildflowers, azaleas, and ferns. I found myself at a small pond where I searched and searched for sight of a frog, but was not successful in spotting one. I continued along the woodland paths and managed to startle (and be startled by) several animals.

All too soon it was time to head back to the main building and an information session. As I was headed there, I saw a sign for a hedge maze. I wish I had seen that sooner! That will be first on my to-do list if I am ever in the area again.

All too soon it was time to leave for the next garden on our tour schedule. I left feeling that I had seen so much but knowing that it was only a fraction of what was there to be seen. One of these days I will get back there, and my first priority will be that hedge maze!