BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY
Visitor Information
Botanical Gardens
Tours and Programming
Join and Get Involved
Guided tours and hands-on
Gardens at a Glance
2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14218 716.827.1584 www.buffalogardens.com
programming for individuals, schools, social and special needs groups are available by reservation
Membership
Designed by Lord & Burnham, premier designers of Victorian
Join today and become a part of our growing future! Annual
glass houses, this Victorian conservatory opened in 1900. The
memberships start at $30 and each level includes:
unique tri-domed glass, wood and steel design was based
• Guest passes
upon the famous Crystal Palace in Kew Gardens Palm House in
• Free admission to the Gardens
England. The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is a
Gift Shop
• Discounts on events, classes, trips and exhibits
national historic site, education center and tourist destination
Unique gifts, gardening items, jewelry, books, plants and more!
• 10% discount in the gift shop and the Great Plant Sale
full of exotic horticulture
Special Needs Visitors
treasures from around the
The indoor and outdoor gardens are fully handicap
world. Today, the Gardens is
accessible. Wheelchairs are available for visitor use on a
one of only two remaining Lord
first-come, first-served basis.
• Seasonal mailings and invitations to events • Reciprocal benefits to over 250 gardens and arboretums Check our website for current membership rates
Donate
& Burnham conservatories
Help make a difference with a donation that supports the
incorporated into a Fredrick Law
Gardens! Your generosity will help ensure that our historic
Olmsted-designed park.
conservatory and the thousands of botanical treasures that
FREE along the South Park Ring Road and in our parking lot.
Owner
and
General Admission
Management
The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society, Inc., a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit corporation, manages
Seasonal Flower Shows
help us grow, no matter what the season! Please call
(dates vary – check our website for current details)
all operations and maintains the
716.827.1584 ext. 203 for more information.
Amaryllis & Cymbidium Show – January / February
horticulture collection in this Erie
Spring Flower Show – Early Spring
County owned facility.
Coleus Show – May
Directions
Volunteering can be very rewarding and fun! Volunteers help the Gardens in the following areas; Horticulture, Tour Guide, Hands-on Docent, Gift Shop and Special Events. We will train you! Please call 716.827.1584 ext. 207 for more information.
Bonsai Show – Mid May
Open year round Monday – Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm (Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day)
Parking
reside in it flourish for years to come. Gifts to the Gardens
Volunteer
Hours
only. Call 716.827.1584 ext. 291
From NYS Thruway (I-90):
Great Plant Sale – Mid May
Take Exit 55 (Rt. 219 and Ridge Road), exit at Ridge Road
Chrysanthemum Show – Late Fall
West “Lackawanna”, after 2 miles, turn right on South Park
Poinsettia Show – December
Avenue, turn left at first traffic light into South Park and the
Orchid Shows – Late February and Mid October
Gardens will be right in front of you.
Adults – $6.00 Seniors (55+) & Students (13+ with ID) – $5.00 Children (3–12) – $3.00 Members and children under 3 are free Show Admission prices vary. Please check our website for updates www.buffalogardens.com (Admission rates are subject to change) For group rates of 20 or more, call 716.827.1584 ext. 200 Printed in USA
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Indoor Gardens
Outdoor Gardens
Palm Dome (House 1)
parties, showers, meetings and more. Call 716-827-1584 ext. 219
Desert House (House 4)
Front Entrance Garden
Standing at 67' tall, the Palm Dome
for rental information.
This collection of succulents features many varieties found in
(March through October)
Shrub/Perennial Garden
is full of magnificent palms and
Victorian Ivy & Herb House (House 9)
American deserts, including the giant cacti and agave plants.
Seasonal combinations of thousands of spring bulbs, annuals
(March through October)
Euphorbs and sansevierias found in the African deserts can
and tropical plants (depending on the season) greet visitors as
Planned by Olmsted as part of
also be seen. Highlights include varieties of lithops and a
they approach the main entrance.
the arboretum, it is now home
tropical fruit trees. As visitors
The largest public ivy collection in the world is featured in
enter, a globe introduces the
this house. Some of the 400-plus ivy cultivars are displayed
Gardens’ long-term renovation
throughout this exhibit among varieties of herbs and scented
Rose Garden
Fern House & Ancient Rainforest
(June through October)
annuals, shrubs and trees. Vignettes of masterfully selected
(Houses 2 and 3)
This garden contains rich and beautiful
combinations of foliage and flowering plants present ever
The centerpiece in this exhibit is a 30' waterfall surrounded by
colors of extra hardy and disease
changing vistas of color throughout the seasons.
banana trees. The pond is home to aquatic plants and koi fish of
A visitor favorite! This exhibit
resistant rose cultivars. You can take
all sizes. The large dinosaur topiaries forage among ferns and
Children’s Garden (Late May through October)
showcases a unique variety of
notes for a carefree home garden.
cycads, ancient survivors of plant evolution.
project with a theme “The Buffalo Meridian”. This theme will
geraniums. A delight to the senses, this exhibit highlights many
take visitors on a walking tour through the Gardens and around
water features, a vine covered gazebo and grotto.
the world. Guests will visit various locales and plant collections found along the Buffalo Meridian...a line circumnavigating the
Orchid House (House 8)
globe, connecting us to other people, places and plants.
Florida Everglades (House 12)
in bloom. Varieties include
different native habitats, plants and animal species. Learn the
cymbidiums, dendrobiums,
system of the world.
Panama Cloud Forest & Epiphyte Pavilion (House 11) This exhibit engages visitors to experience epiphytes the way they would live 200' above the rainforest floor. Exotic orchids, bromeliads and tillandsia varieties are incorporated into this natural exhibit.
Special Event House (House 10) This house is home to beautifully draped ivy and a collection of tropical plants. It is part of seasonal flower shows throughout the year and is available for weddings, special events, cocktail
herbs, a colorful butterfly garden and a cascading water
family Garden
feature highlight this hands-on garden. Soil exploration areas, Children’s Garden
cattleyas and other unusual species.
Victorian Ivy & Herb House
Begonia House (House 6)
House 9
Begonias are known for their colorful and unusually textured
Special Event House
leaves. No matter the time of year, all begonia varieties are
House 10
simply magnificent.
This garden is designed to stimulate the senses. Fragrant
Future home of the indoor
exotic orchids displayed when
This special immersion exhibit about the Everglades showcases importance of maintaining wetlands, the natural water filtration
to rare and unusual perennials,
unique collection of succulents from South Africa.
shrub / perennial garden
orchid House
Begonia House
House 8
encourage kids to explore gardening.
Tropical House
House 5
House 6 Men
a compost area, digging areas and hand operated water pumps
Desert House
Women
House 4
as botanical families. Most of the trees are from original plantings made
Highlights include Sensitive Plant, Yesterday-Today-andcommon and not so common flowering houseplants in this exhibit. The meticulous tropical Bonsai collection also calls this house home.
South Park was planned to be an arboretum with trees planted together
Changes based on time of year
Tropical House (House 5) Tomorrow Plant, Shrimp Plant and Pepperomia. There are many
South Park Arboretum
Florida Everglades Panama Cloud Forest & Epiphyte Pavilion
House 12
in 1894 – 1910. In 1915, when the nine Palm Dome
House 1
Fern House
hole golf course was added, trees were also added to divide
House 2 ancient Rainforest
House 11
House 3
rose garden
Gift Shop Admissions Front Entrance Garden
the fairways. When you drive, hike or jog the South Park Ring Road, you will enjoy all the Olmsted vistas including a small lake at the center and a surrounding meadow. The Buffalo Olmsted Conservancy continues its efforts to restore and preserve South Park and the Olmsted-designed park system in Buffalo.
Go to www.buffalogardens.com for more information.