About Us
The first plans for the City Greenhouse were presented in 1902. Three years later the first units were completed on a portion of the 270 acres donated to the City by John D. Rockefeller.
The Greenhouse was initially used solely for growing the plants used to landscape City parks and gardens. While city beautification is still one of our goals, the Greenhouse and grounds have since evolved into a Botanical garden with specialty plant collections, seasonal floral displays, and theme gardens.
The Japanese Garden was developed during the 1960s. This picturesque garden recreates a Japanese courtyard with its bamboo hut, gently running water basin, and pond. Of special interest is the metasequoia, or Dawn Redwood tree located across from the running water basin. The tree was grown from one of six seeds brought from Japan.
The Betty Ott Talking Garden uses tape-recorded descriptions to guide sight-impaired visitors. Plants here are chosen for their appeal to all the senses. A raised bed invites visitors to touch and smell the plants, and signs give information in both Roman and Braille type. This is one of only a few such special-interest gardens in the country.
The Mall is a traditional formal garden with clipped hedges enclosing the manicured grass center. The corner statues represent the four seasons.
Throughout the summer, the Latin American Garden showcases cacti, succulents, flowering plants, and tropical fruits found in the Latin region of Central and South America.
A stroll along the winding path of the Peace Garden takes visitors through an old-fashioned gazebo and rose, herb, and perennial gardens.
Inside the Greenhouse, visitors can experience: