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“Connecting People and Plants”
The Olbrich Botanical Gardens is a local treasure of gardens, spreading over 16 acres of outdoor space. At the botanical gardens, you can see tropical plants year-round. In addition, you can visit the gardening library, which has many other colorful, hardy flora to explore.
You can find exotic culture from Thailand at Obrich’s Thai Garden and Pavillion to get a tropical feel. An 80-foot reflecting pool and a meandering stream are seen in the Perennial Garden.
Another standout for guests is the Bolz Conservatory, a glass pyramid housing a diverse collection of plants with a rushing waterfall, blooming orchids, and free-flying birds.
What’s Happening at Olbrich
Whether it’s live music, special exhibits, plant sales, or various programs, from adult classes and workshops to family-friendly activities, endless learning opportunities are available.
Additionally, Olbrich hosts sales, shows, and exhibits by community groups and garden clubs throughout the year.
Spring Flower Show
Experience the vibrant colors of spring at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens during the Spring Flower Show from March 2 to March 24.
The show runs from 10 AM to 4 PM daily, offering a captivating display of seasonal blooms and botanical wonders.
Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of springtime at Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
Virtual Lecture Series
Join the 2024 Virtual Lecture Series at Olbrich Botanical Gardens for monthly presentations from January to May at 5:30 PM CST.
Engage with gardening experts worldwide through 60-minute Zoom presentations and a 30-minute Q&A session. Please note that virtual program recordings are not available at this time.
What is Olbrich Botanical Garden Known For?
Madison’s beloved attraction, this green oasis, features a variety of gardens, including a sunken garden, perennial garden, tower garden, rock garden, herb garden, wildflower garden, and an indoor tropical conservatory.
Well, what can we say? The Olbrich Botanical Gardens is known for many things, from the Thai Pavilion, Bolz Conservatory, tropical plants outdoors, flowers, and many grounds in Madison, WI 53704. However, there are a few exceptions that need to be mentioned.
Olbrich’s Bolz Conservatory
Olbrich’s Bolz Conservatory offers a year-round tropical escape featuring a waterfall, exotic birds, and vibrant fish.
Visitors can explore the gift shop and the Schumacher Library, housing over 3,500 horticulture-focused books. Additionally, Olbrich Botanical Gardens offers classes for garden enthusiasts of all ages.
Originally conceived by Michael Olbrich in 1916, the gardens were brought to life by the design of John Olin in 1952.
Outdoor Gardens
The outdoor park is made up of different sections comprising:
The Thai Pavilion Garden
Meadow Garden
Event Garden
Shade Garden
Birch Walk and so much more
Still, some of these gardens need to be mentioned in detail.
Sunken Garden
A limestone terrace and shrub hedge enclose the English-style garden. Hence, it feels like you are in an outside room with the elegant reflecting pool providing more visual appeal connecting to Lake Monona. You can see annuals, perennials, spring bulbs, and shrubs here.
It is also the oldest garden, originally a rose mall, and was named Sunken Garden because of the two-foot drop that spreads from the garden’s edge.
Herb Garden
The midwest hardy plants are not the only flora in the Olbrich Botanical Gardens. There are other series of smaller gardens showing the importance of herbs.
Here, you can visit to enjoy the fragrances of the herbs, and there is a courtyard, knot, tea, medicinal, mint, kitchen, and other gardens included.
But there are other magical places like the rock garden, growing gifts shop, tropical conservatory, waterfall, and many other exciting things to see.
What Are the Most Prized Plants in Botanical Gardens?
The most prized plants in the rose garden display midwest hardy shrub roses, ornamental trees, and grasses. There are rose hips with colorful bark and fruit trees that emerge gracefully throughout the year.
Furthermore, you see the display of the five-petal symmetry of the family of roses with a forecourt fountain with five water jets and a weeping wall with mini-waterfalls.
A fact is that the perennial garden and rose garden are all worthy of exploring with a display of different plants.
Olbrich Botanical Garden Etiquette Rules and Guidelines
The Olbrich Botanical Gardens, located in Madison, is a place for family, children, and friends to visit with tours, education, and more to explore.
Garden Hours
Olbrich Botanical Gardens opens daily for the outdoor gardens from April to September from 6 AM to 11 PM; from October to March, the available time remains the same, with closing time at 4 PM. To visit the Bolz Conservatory opens and closes from 10 AM to 4 PM daily.
The gift shop opens at 10 AM and closes at 6 PM, and the Schumacher Library opens from 10 AM to 2 PM from Wednesday to Friday.
Cost for Admissions
Free outdoor garden admission to the Bolz Conservatory for the public is $6, and children aged six to 12 years are $3. In addition, kids aged five and under can enter the Madison, WI botanical gardens.
For members, the entrance is free, and when Olbrich’s Blooming Butterflies takes place, admission for adults is $8, kids ages six to 12 are $5, and those under five are free. You can check the hours and admission page on the website for special days to find out when the gardens close.
Events & Exhibitions
The Olbrich Botanical Gardens is always bussing with classes, concerts, and art exhibits. So, you can partake in the Gleam Art in a New Light, an annual show with local featured artists creating light-based installations in the outdoor park.
When visiting the gardens, you can walk through lit paths to experience strange forms that shimmer at night.
Guest Safety and Garden Care
The gardens have specific rules in place that all visitors need to adhere to:
You are permitted to take photos for personal use when visiting.
Pets are not allowed, but service animals are welcome.
Guests must stay on the paths and not walk in the mulched areas or flowerbeds. Neither should the flora be touched.
Feeding animals is prohibited, and no musical instruments are allowed.
You cannot smoke any form of tobacco except in the parking lot.
No firearms, weapons, or sports equipment, from frisbees to balls, are allowed.
You cannot bring food or beverages inside the premises; they are only permitted during summer shows. Yet, you can find a picnic area across the street.
What Can You Wear in Olbrich Botanical Garden?
You must always wear comfortable shoes and shirts when dwelling in the gardens.
Photography Policy
You can obtain photo permits during public garden hours, but there could be time restrictions for special events. The photo permit is only for outdoor use of the garden, and no photos are allowed in the conservatory.
You cannot use tripods on any paths, only on the turf grass areas, and no drones are allowed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Olbrich Botanical Gardens was founded in 1952 by Michael Olbrich and is now owned by the City of Madison Parks and the non-profit Olbrich Botanical Society.
A few restaurants close to the gardens, like Ian’s Pizza Garver, the Glass Nickel Pizza, and Daisy Cafe & Cupcakery.
You can find a few hotels in the vicinity from the Hilton Garden Inn Madison downtown, Country Inn & Suites, and Comfort Inn & Suites.
The Olbrich Botanical Gardens stretches over 16 acres of outdoor space with exceptional features to enjoy the sun to rain.
Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!
