When I go on vacation, I do two things–try to visit significant gardens near my vacation spot and make note of the vegetation (domestic and otherwise) around me. There is no better way to get to know a particular place than to familiarize yourself with the flowers, trees and shrubs that grow there.
I usually try to get acquainted with the plant life of a specific place by checking into online resources or buying a guidebook before I travel.
For a great snapshot of the Ambassador’s Vegetable Garden at the American Embassy in Paris, go to http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=6b87cbdbca7a158540d881d9e&id=654372c20a.