SEVEN kilometers east of La Union's bustling capital city of San Fernando, on a forested mountain 9,000 feet above sea level, nestles the La Union botanical garden--a green spot on the map that is probably the only one of its kind in the country.

Unlike other so-called botanical gardens in Manila, Baguio or Mt. Makiling in Laguna, the La Union botanical garden is not merely a theme or recreational park.

While it also has systematically arranged theme gardens, it is foremost a center for research and education on the many varieties and uses of local plants, as well as a haven for their conservation and propagation.

Accessible by jeepney (about 20 minutes) over semipaved roads, the garden sits on a 110-hectare government property covered mostly in a secondary forest growth of molave (Vitex parviflora), kakawate (Gliricidia sepium) and balingasay (Buchanania arborescens).

Of this area, only about 5 ha. have been fully developed into vari-themed gardens spanned by a web of concrete footpaths and bamboo bridges.

Dr. Romualdo del Rosario, garden project director and chief of the botany division of the National Museum, and his colleague, mycologist Edwin Tadiosa, were at the site for their twice-a-month routine visit.

With resident project staff leader Policarpio Jucar, they showed us the many features of the garden which, despite recent visits by typhoons, still stood, proof to nature's ability to heal itself slowly but beautifully.

The garden has only one entrance and exit. So unless one is planning to set camp at a particular area, it would be best to start at the farthest end where a nursery, fernery and palmery are kept, surrounded by forested mountain slopes.

According to Jucar, wild bees abound in the forests and their honey is often harvested by enterprising residents.

One also finds an orchidarium intended for the propagation of native varieties but for now is unable to resist hybrid varieties donated by orchid lovers and politicians.

Retracing the footpath, one reaches the aviary and minizoo. Although not the main focus of the garden, its collection of wild and domesticated animals, mostly donations from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, is a source of amusement and learning for young visitors.

A pair of wild pigeons, a lone parrot, an Ilocano-speaking mynah, a pair of brown eagles, two pairs of Brahmeny kites (lawin) and a sea eagle that enjoys frequent showers are just some of the attractions.

The gobble of turkeys and the chatter of Philippine monkeys complete the cacophony, hushed only by the flutter of doves' wings as they head home to roost.

Recently, a researcher from the University of Sto. Tomas Graduate School has identified the black-naped oriole as one of the birds that have made the botanical garden their habitat.

Known as kiliaoan in Filipino and keeao in Iloko, the bird has bright yellow and black feathers and makes a melodic flutelike call. It is also commonly found in Negros and Mindanao.

From the aviary, one comes to the sunken garden, one of the most popular picnic areas because of its expansive landscaped garden, cool shade and good view of the other theme gardens.

From here, one can see the Chinese garden with a footpath lit by orange lanterns, albeit weather-beaten, leading to an unfinished pagoda. Accents of bamboo bushes and ornamental plants complete the scene.

Another theme garden is the children's garden which has a basic playground beside a gurgling brook and an unfinished natural history museum building built from a modest budget.

According to Del Rosario, the museum will house at least four dioramas depicting ``the glory of flowers'' and the wonders of the insect world as well as other educational materials.

Beside the children's garden is the fragrance garden. It is planted to champacas, rosals, Chinese magnolias, Ilang-ilang, garlic vine and other sweet-smelling plants to enchant the senses when in bloom.

At the end of this garden is the medicinal garden where dozens of varieties of herbs and medicinal plants endemic to La Union and other dry, lowland areas are cultivated and studied.

Neatly arranged to fill a sundial structure, the plants also provide a butterfly sanctuary that will surely catch a visitor's eye.

On the way, one must pass through the arid paradise where various kinds of cacti and other succulent varieties are cultivated.

Jucar said this area used to be covered with white sand but being sloped, was one of the worst hit by the recent storms. Overlooking this garden is the unfinished Japanese garden which has bamboo structures, Japanese flora and a few stone sculptures arranged to achieve a stone-garden effect.

Despite its unique features, the La Union botanical garden is a long way from becoming a ``fully established or world-class'' institution, Del Rosario admitted.