augieg27 Loc: Central California

When I go to a BG I just take my 18-200mm, wide and long enough which serves me well.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Perhaps some of the folks posting here become too preoccupied with gear, tripods and lens types as well as locations.

Locations: you can make great images of flowers nad plans in many environments and locations, even in your own backyard, a park, or a local flower shop or nursery. A botanical garden, however, offers many different and exotic varieties of botanical species that you are not likely to find in the aforementioned places. Many of there grades have unique, themes, and landscaping that present many creative photograph possibilities.

Tripods: Botanical subjects, even certain macro images can be successfully produced with a handheld camera. Good camera handling technique and image stabilization features certainly will help. A tripod, when its use is permissible, can be an important asset in certain conditions. A tripod will preven or minimize camera movement and the resulting blur, however, it is also important in maintaining exact focus in certain macro/close up situations or even when longer focal lengths are used in conjunction with wide apertures. I selective focus or "bokeh" techniques are imployed, I may be difficult to hold exact focus, even with autofocus, so additional stability may be required. Personally, I usually prefer using a tripod or monopod when it practical.

Physical factors: At 75 years old, I am certainly not as agile as I used to be but I can still crouch down and get up (thank goodness). For a short period, I did encounter an orthopedic issue and believe me, it was no fun and I can certainly sympathize with anyone in that situation. During that time, I did drag along a collapsible walker to certain assignments so I could do low angle shots without calling an ambulance to get me back on my feet and to my car. I did find that pulling myself up, eventually, strengthened my muscles and that was good but OYE-THE PAIN!

My advice; if you have any physical issues or impairments that are messing up you photographic enjoyment, use whatever you need to continue on with your work, tripods, monopods, longer lenses, stabilization features, grips, walkin' sticks- whatever.

Lenses: you can start off shooting botanical subjects with just about any of the (normal) lenses that you now own. Of, course there are preferred types for maximizing sharpness and gaining close visual access to your subjects. If you don't have the ideal kit, this should not deter you from trying your hand at it with you present gear. Get a feel for it and after a few experiences, you will quickly find out where your gear's advantages and limitation lie and decide what you want to purchase to get you where you need to be. You may already have a prime or a zoom that will address your needs for the work you want to produce and what style you wish to adopt or create. As others have advised, don't bog yourself down with an arsenal of gear that will limit your ability to move around and discover many locations and unique camera angles.

Shutter Speed: Yes! flowers are not necessarily "still"-life" and they can move around in a breeze. Especially at close distances, this can wreak havoc on not only on focus but the potential for motion blur. In certain conditions, faster shutter speed may be required. Faster shutter speeds may also aid in securing sharp results when hand holding the camera.

Scott24

I belong to Longwood Gardens in Pa (look it up ) so I've taken lots of plant and flower pictures. Outside a normal telephoto will serve you well ( Water Lilly). Inside a close up a lens is great the ones here are with an old canon 50mm f2 semi close up lens 2 to i. Wind could be an issue outside so be sure to use a fast shutter . Bracket shots as well. If you can back light flowers see leaf. Bugs can be fun as well.Walk around your subject look for interesting angels. blur background. Take time to smell the roses.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Great stuff- Beautifully composed! Good lighing advice as well!

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

You do not need lenses. You need a lens. One lens. From your list, I'd take the 28-70.

A 140 or better, which you don't have would be good for staying out of the beds, and bringing the flower closer to you.... I like my 18-140......

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

That said, a 2X extender wpuld be handy handy with the current gear. :-)

foggypreacher Loc: Dickinson, Texas

Jerry,
How about a D3400 with an 18-140mm f/3.5 -5.6? That is my workhorse and do not generally use others except for longer shots or portrait type shots.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

He then would not have the 28.

He would be better off renting a lens for the day.

jpgto Loc: North East Tennessee

My $0.02, the 28-70 should do the trick.

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

I go to the local botanical gardens often. I carry a macro and a telephoto, 70-300 or 55-300. Sometimes the flowers are not close to the walkway, and you will need to have the reach to get them.
I used to carry a tripod, but unless you are in deep shade, it is very cumbersome. I find that the VR or IS on the lens works fine in most places.
I also use manual ISO often. Sometimes it is worth a little noise to get the picture, you can always use noise reduction.