Rotary Botanical Gardens

Rotary Botanical Gardens, a 20-acre non-profit botanic garden, is home to many dramatic and themed gardens. Some have an international focus, such as the Japanese, Scottish, French Formal, Italian and English Cottage Gardens. Also included are less formally-structured gardens including one of very few Fern and Moss gardens recognized by the Hardy Fern Foundation in the United States, as well as Shade, Prairie and Woodland Gardens. On-site are also a visitor center, gift shop, and a beautiful facility that may be rented for wedding receptions, reunions, meetings, etc.

The gardens are open from dawn till dusk while the visitor center hours vary by season. Admission is by donation, with a suggested donation of $5 per person. Guided group tours can be arranged for an additional fee; buses welcome with advance notice. Visitor center and main garden paths are handicap accessible.

Rotary Botanical Gardens changes with the season-- each visit can bring something new. We hope you not only visit the gardens but return in the near future as well.

NEW!!! Director of Horticulture's Garden Blog

To learn more about the gardens...

Download the 2008 Garden Guide Map (PDF)

2008 Featured Collections

Heirloom Tomatoes (PDF)

Annual Vinca (PDF)

Peppers (PDF)

Upcoming Events

Now accepting registrations for the Spring First Grade program.
For more information...

All Saturdays in April and May, Mushroom Compost Sale
8 am until 2 pm, Horticulture Center
This organic material is aged horse manure, peat moss and bark fines, all blended and pulverized. A great amendment incorporated in to garden soil or used as a “topdressing.”

1.5 cubic foot bags (40 lbs.) - $5.50 plus tax

Rotary Gardens Members and Volunteers – 10% off

April 26, Leaf Casting and Concrete Technology
with MGV Andrea Breen and others; Care and maintenance of flatwork in your landscape (sidewalks, poured patios, etc.), with leaf casting project following, 2pm, (approx. $10 for leaf casting expenses)

April 19-26, Earth Week
For schedule of events....

May 1, Minimal Maintenance
with Mike Maddox, Horticulture Educator, Rock Co. UW-Extension
7pm, $5 donation general public (no pre-registration necessary)

May 3, Leaf Casting and Concrete Technology
with MGV Andrea Breen and others; Care and maintenance of landscape retaining walls, with leaf casting following, 2pm, (approx. $10 for leaf casting expenses)

May 17, Spring Plant Sale
8am to 4pm, Horticulture Center
Featuring:
51 varieties of heirloom tomato plants
230 varieties of hot peppers
thousands of perennial divisions from the gardens
bagged mushroom compost
Friends Members and RBG Volunteers receive 10% off
Download flyer (PDF)

June 3, Making Silk Scarves with Botanical Dyes
with Shelley Ryan, gardening nut taking grass stains to the next level
1pm, $40 per person, less $5 RBG friend-members (Includes 4 scarves)
Download registration materials (PDF)
Please reserve your seat by calling 752-3885x17 or e-mailing mike.maddox@ces.uwex.edu

June 7, Nursery Plant Buying Bus Trip
Download registration materials (PDF)

June 20-22, Minneapolis Bus Trip
Download registration materials (PDF)

September 20 & 27, Watercolor in the Garden-- introductory course in painting with Elizabeth M. Dunham, botanical illustrator, Click for more information....

Download the newsletter of the friend-members and volunteers of Rotary Botanical Gardens.
Please see our calendar and education page for a comprehensive listing of garden related events.

Related Links