Gilroy, California: Circus Trees at Gilroy Gardens

Since it's a non-profit enterprise, admission is expensive. But it's so beautiful that it's worth it.

Over twenty years ago, Bonfante Gardens theme park acquired and transplanted the late Axel Erlandson's Circus Trees -- his 40+ years of experiments in decorative tree growth. Today, 19 of the trees still thrive at Bonfante [renamed Gilroy Gardens]. But we're also pleased to notice the mutant tree theme has been cleverly extended into the park's new Splash Garden. It's a kid's water fun area, deploying a couple of large replica Circus Trees as attractions. The replica Basket Circus Tree is 18-ft. tall -- the upper branches spray water, and a dry slide descends around the outside.

We trust these artificial trees won't distract the horticultural park from continuing to keep the real mutants alive....

We finally visited [Gilroy] Gardens to see the Circus Trees, and we had an awesome time. It is as close to an old-style amusement park that you'll find on the West Coast. Super fun, beautiful, and immaculate. Open through their normal operating season - March through October.