Visit Ellwanger Garden during Lilac Weekends in May or Peony and Rose Weekend in June, from noon to 3 p.m. This perennial flower garden has been tended since 1867 and showcases unique plants. It is located at 625 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, with parking nearby. A $5/person donation helps support upkeep.
2024 Lilac Weekends
May 11, 12, 18, and 19
2024 Peony and Rose Weekend
June 1 and 2
Ellwanger Garden & Estate is a beautiful bed and breakfast establishment today, but back in the 1800s, it served as the residence of the renowned horticulturist George Ellwanger. Along with his business partner, Patrick Barry, he constructed the biggest nursery in the world, spanning over 650 acres along Mount Hope Boulevard.
In 1888, Ellwanger and Barry donated twenty acres of nursery land to form Highland Park, Rochester’s first park. The Rochester Parks Department then commissioned Frederick Law Olmsted to design Highland Park, along with Genesee Valley, Seneca, and Maplewood Parks.
Ellwanger and Barry also donated trees still thriving in the Highland Park Arboretum today. Now owned by the University of Rochester, Barry’s home is across the street from Ellwanger Estate.
Maintained by the Landmark Society, the Ellwanger Estate Garden is open to the public for special events, including Lilac Weekends in May and Peony Weekend in June.
Volunteers are always welcome to care for the garden all year round. The garden is a living preservation site and has around eighty different kinds of perennials, including strong collections of peonies, roses, daylilies, hostas, irises, and spring- and summer-flowering bulbs. During my visit, I spoke with a volunteer who was thrilled to see the garden’s transition every week.
More information about Ellwanger Estate Garden
Cost: Free with a recommended $5 donation
Located in the City of Rochester (get directions)
More Information: landmarksociety.org
Explore More
These carefully designed gardens, often cultivated for decades or even centuries, display exceptional collections of flowers and trees.
Rochester’s Olmsted-Designed Parks
Rochester is fortunate to be one of a handful of American cities with a park system comprised of Frederick Law Olmsted-designed parks.
The Flower City: Exploring Rochester’s Extraordinary Flowers and Trees
Rochester became a global center for flower and tree nurseries in the mid-1800s, fostering our identity as The Flower City.
Mount Hope Cemetery’s winding roads are best explored on foot for a glimpse into the area’s rich history, ecology, and geology.
When is your favorite time to visit Ellwanger Garden?
Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.
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