Gardens in Illinois

Garden of the Phoenix

This Japanese garden nestled in Jackson Park is a living symbol of friendship between Japan and the United States. Crossing elegant bridges and wandering among cherry trees, you'll feel like you've been transported straight across the Pacific Ocean. Beautiful any time of year, but the garden truly comes alive in spring, when cherry blossoms create a pink canopy above the tranquil waters.

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool

At the north end of Lincoln Park Zoo lies this serene garden inspired by Midwestern prairie rivers. You'll come across a pictresque pavilion, a gentle waterfall, and a peacefull lily-filled pond. It's Caldwell's "city in a garden" vision come to life – keep an eye out for herons and turtles sunning themselves on warm days.

University of Chicago Botany Pond

This Hyde Park oasis is a favorite among locals in the know. The lore says a kiss on the bridge guarantees marriage, but whether you believe that legend or not, you'll still be charmed by this bastion of calm amid university life. Be ready to greet the families of ducks gliding by during spring and summer.

Ellwood House Museum and Gardens

This historic DeKalb mansion is surrounded by lush gardens, towering trees, and a whole lot of delightful inspiration. It was once home to a prominent barbed wire entrepreneur, but there's no hint of anything that sharp and unpleasant here, with meticulously-maintained gardens and manicured lawns. It's a beautiful spot to enjoy a picnic among the seasonal blooms.

Fabyan Villa Museum and Japanese Garden

Geneva's got a quirky secret: a slice of Japan dreamed up by a 1900s power couple. The Fabyans were ahead of their time, hiring a Japanese designer to create this riverside oasis. Wander past lanterns and over moon bridges, then pop into the villa Frank Lloyd Wright himself gave a makeover.

Hornbaker Gardens

This family-run nursery feels more like a botanical garden, and its display beds will have you rethinking your whole backyard. Their hosta collection with its hundreds of varieties is something to behold, but the real showstopper has to be the lotus pond in late summer. The Hornbakers won't mind if you linger, so grab a sandwich from downtown Princeton and make a day of it.

Black Hawk State Historic Site

This isn't your average state park. The Native American history really sets this place apart, with gardens that spotlight plants the Sauk and Meskwaki people have used for centuries. You'll see medicinal herbs and traditional food plants, and if you want to get a full appreciation of what's on offer, stop by the Hauberg Indian Museum.

Genevieve Green Gardens

Bloomington's best-kept secret sits behind Ewing Manor's castle-like walls. These gardens are a patchwork of old and new, with century-old trees shading beds of heirloom flowers. Bring a book and claim a spot near the trickling fountain – you might even spot the resident cardinals that call these gardens home. Or explore a little more to find the quirky topiary and hidden sundial.

Sarah's Garden at the David Davis Mansion

Step back to the 1870s in this living time capsule of a garden. Sarah Davis, wife of Supreme Court Justice David Davis, personally designed and tended these historic beds. Look for striped Victorian tulips and blue-flowered borage – they're the same varieties Sarah would have ordered from 19th-century seed catalogs.

Stone Hill Farm Healing Gardens

We all know that gardening can be therapeutic, but this St. Charles sanctuary puts that in a whole new light. Wander through patches of medicinal herbs and calming lavender amid the chorus of bees and birdsong, or find a quiet nook by the butterfly garden. Breathe deep and you might catch a whiff of mint or chamomile on the breeze. And if you're feeling a little bit frazzled, walking the labyrinth can really clear the cobwebs.

University of Illinois Arboretum - Japanese Tea Garden

Kyoto meets Champaign in this campus hideaway, where stone lanterns peek out from carefully pruned pines. In spring, the cherry trees put on a show that'll make you forget you're in the Midwest. If you time it right, you might catch a tea ceremony in the lush tea garden – which makes for a nice change from the campus coffee.

Illinois gardens don't do subtle when spring rolls around. One day you're trudging through slush, the next you're knee-deep in tulips at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Over at Morton Arboretum, the magnolias burst open like nature's fireworks. And if you time it right, you might catch the cherry blossoms at the Garden of the Phoenix in Jackson Park.

Illinois gardens really come into their own in summer. The Quad City Botanical Center's summer night concerts let you enjoy those long evenings among the blooms. For a uniquely Illinois experience, check out the lotus flowers at Nelson Lake Marsh in Batavia – they're at their peak in July and August. And if the heat gets to be too much, duck into the Climatron at the Garfield Park Conservatory. It's like a jungle in there, but a little more convenient, and without the mosquitoes.

Autumn in Illinois is when our trees really flex. The Morton Arboretum turns into a 1,700-acre color explosion – it's like the trees are competing to see who can turn the most vivid shade. For a more Zen experience, hit up Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford. The Japanese maples there do fall like it's an art form. And for a true taste of Illinois, the native prairie at Nachusa Grasslands puts on a subtle but stunning show of golds and purples.

Don't write off Illinois gardens in winter – this is when you can have these places practically to yourself. The Morton Arboretum's "Illumination" event turns bare trees into a light show that'll make you forget about the cold. For a tropical escape, duck into Garfield Park Conservatory. Those steamy greenhouses are a lifesaver on a gray Chicago day. And if we get a good snow, there's nothing prettier than the Japanese Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden dusted in white.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​