The 10 acres of outdoor gardens include the City Garden, Demonstration Garden, Bluestone Terrace, Sensory Garden and Artist’s Garden.
Artist's Garden
Every year, our beautiful Artist’s Garden comes alive with a tulip display in the early days of spring, and a new summer flower exhibition in July.This year’s exhibition Alfredo Ramos Martinez opens July 2nd.
Step into the world of Alfredo Ramos Martinez where nature and humanity intertwine in a vivid celebration of Mexican culture, beauty, and resilience.
This exhibit showcases Martínez’s masterful depictions of indigenous life, rural landscapes, and floral symbolism, revealing his deep reverence for the natural world.
Visitors will enjoy hundreds of Cala Lilies, Mexican petunias, Mexican Sunflowers and more planted in the garden to represent the artwork of Alfredo Ramos Martinez.
City Garden
This space is designed to challenge prevailing notions of what a major public garden is supposed to be. It includes lily pools, a gravel garden sprinkled with blue glass, and a stand of aspen trees whose leaves flutter with every breeze.
Checking out our lovely Water Lily garden? Click here to see a full list of all the beautiful blooms in the water garden (link will open in new tab)
Sensory Garden
Raised beds include seasonal flowers and the carnivorous plant bog. To the west, there is a labyrinth to stroll for moving meditation. In summer 2022, the beehives are located on the southern end of the campus, to the west of the parking lot.
Demonstration Garden
Visitors can learn about community and organic gardening in Chicago in this beautiful city lot-sized working garden. Find space-saving and above-ground growing methods, composting information and a wide variety of flowers, herbs and vegetables. The produce grown here is donated to the Garfield Park Farmers Market and local food pantries.
Bluestone Terrace
The Bluestone Terrace is located just beyond the Desert House doors, anchoring the City Garden and Demo Garden.
Play & Grow Garden
Kids 0 – 8 can experiment with pebbles, make mud pies, walk the stump obstacle course, or make music on a wooden xylophone. The garden is open seasonally. Children must be supervised in the garden.