Olbrich Botanical Gardens: A Must-See Midwest Destination

Add this delightful public garden to your travel plans the next time you are in Madison, Wisconsin

Visitingpublic gardensis a fantastic room to gain gardening breathing in , entropy , and mind — not to mention a marvelous way to just unbend and soak in the beauty of a locus . Living in Janesville , Wisconsin , for more than 20 years has given me the law of proximity to and the motive I necessitate to frequently travel northward to Madison to visitOlbrich Botanical Gardens . merely put , it is one of the best public gardens in the country . My campaign is only about 40 miles ( 45 minute ) , but I would advance anyone not only to plan a sojourn to this mythic garden ( give yourselves a couple of hour there ) but also to research the Madison field — which features museums , the State Capitol , farmer ’s markets , raw areas , the University of Wisconsin - Madison campus andArboretum , and much more .

There is no shortage of inspiration at Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Olbrich Botanical Gardens ( OBG ) was constitute along the eastern shore of Lake Monona on terra firma in the beginning buy by Michael B. Olbrich . The garden was base in 1952 on 16 acres and is owned and operate on conjointly by the City of Madison Parks Department and the non-profit-making Olbrich Botanical Society . Delve further into the fascinating chronicle of this garden onits website . The 10,000 - square - foot Bolz Conservatory ( opened in 1991 ) is certainly an attraction throughout the year but even more so in the frigid winter calendar month . There are countless educational opportunities and case at the gardens , which are loose to chaffer , although the hothouse has a token direction .

What has amazed me in late year is not only the lineament of displays throughout the many garden areas but the continued focal point and packaging onsustainability . OBG has replace much of its lawn space withgravel gardensand meadow gardens that you want to visit to really appreciate . Although the plantings in these spaces are low maintenance and perdurable , they are also beautiful .

Olbrich Botanical Gardens is a Midwestern public garden gem

Theherb garden , sunken garden , rosegarden , andshade gardenare just some of themany gardens to bask . There is also a Thai garden ( opened in 2002 ) that feature an authentic Thai pavilion ( sala ) and astonishingly profuse planting . The plant signage throughout the garden is helpful , and there are manybenchesand spaces to unbend and simply souse in the lovely view . The education core augments the visitant ’s center , which also has a popular giving store .

come up from a public garden background , I can take account what the staff and volunteers do at this garden , and it is fresh to see a very forward - thinking , creative approach to improving and promoting the garden every year . It continues to be no surprise to me that OBG is often across the nation recognize for its inspiring gardens and body of work . I ’ve visited over 150 public gardens in the United States and Europe , and Olbrich is one that should n’t be lack . I ’m already past due for another visit .

— Mark Dwyer is the garden manager for the Edgerton Hospital Healing Garden in Edgerton , Wisconsin , and he mesh Landscape Prescriptions by MD .

Photos : Mark Dwyer

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