The garden was built on land reclaimed from swampy terrain and developed using a system of lakes interconnected by water-control structures.
It houses one of the largest and most diverse collections of bonsai in the United States, including trees that are over 100 years old.
The 100-acre Dixon Prairie represents the pre-settlement landscape of northeastern Illinois, featuring native tallgrass species.
The garden's library, the Lenhardt Library, is one of the premier botanical libraries in the world, holding over 100,000 volumes.
The Malott Japanese Garden is designed according to the principles of 'borrowed scenery,' incorporating views of the surrounding lake into its composition.
The Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre living plant museum located on nine islands surrounded by lakes. It features 29 distinct gardens and four natural areas, including a 100-acre prairie restoration. The site serves as a research hub for the Plant Science Center, which focuses on conservation and plant biology. Notable installations include a Japanese Garden, a Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, and a 2.5-acre Children's Growing Garden. The facility is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society in partnership with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. It maintains a collection of over 2.6 million plants representing more than 11,000 different taxa. The grounds are designed to support local biodiversity while providing public education through horticulture and conservation programs.
The red bridge within the Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden.
Rent a tram tour upon arrival to get an overview of the massive grounds before exploring on foot.
Check the 'What's in Bloom' feature on their website before your visit to identify seasonal highlights.
Bring a reusable water bottle as the gardens are extensive and hydration stations are located throughout.
Attempting to see the entire property in a single visit; the size is overwhelming for a rushed walk.
Open daily year-round, except for December 25th.
Stay on marked paths to protect delicate plantings, and do not pick flowers or remove plant labels.
