Ellwanger Garden: A Hidden Historic Garden in Rochester

Hidden behind mature trees and historic garden walls along Mount Hope Avenue, the Ellwanger Garden feels like a step back into another era of Rochester. Winding paths, layered perennial borders, flowering trees, and quiet benches create an intimate garden experience that many Rochesterians do not even realize exists.

Maintained by the Landmark Society of Western New York, this private historic garden is open to the public only on select Sundays in May, making each visit feel especially rare. Originally planted in 1867 beside the Ellwanger Estate, the garden remains a living piece of Rochester’s horticultural history.

Ellwanger Garden Open Days 2026: Sundays in May (May 10, 17, 24, 31), noon–3 p.m. A suggested $5 donation helps support preservation and ongoing maintenance. Parking is available next door at the University of Rochester Health and Safety Building, accessed from McLean Street.

Today, the neighboring Ellwanger Estate operates independently as a bed-and-breakfast, while the historic garden is preserved and maintained by the Landmark Society.  

Rochester’s Horticultural Legacy

George Ellwanger and Patrick Barry helped shape Rochester into one of America’s great horticultural centers. Their internationally known Mt. Hope Nursery grew from just a few acres in 1840 to more than 650 acres by the late 19th century.  

In 1888, Ellwanger and Barry donated twenty acres, which became Highland Park, helping establish Rochester’s celebrated park system. The city later commissioned Frederick Law Olmsted to design Highland Park, along with Genesee Valley, Maplewood, and Seneca Parks.

Many of the trees planted by Ellwanger & Barry still thrive throughout Highland Park, linking the garden directly to Rochester’s broader horticultural legacy.

A Garden Preserved Through Time

Ellwanger Garden is often described as a “living museum.” Originally the private family garden of George Ellwanger, it remained in the care of the Ellwanger family for more than a century before the Landmark Society took it over in the early 1980s.  

Today, volunteers continue caring for the historic landscape, season after season. The garden features substantial collections of peonies, irises, roses, hostas, daylilies, flowering bulbs, and mature trees. Because the garden changes dramatically throughout spring and early summer, no two visits feel exactly alike.

Despite its location along busy Mount Hope Avenue, the atmosphere feels unexpectedly secluded. Gravel paths wind through layered perennial beds, and benches tucked beneath mature trees invite visitors to linger.

Why Visit Ellwanger Garden?

Unlike Rochester’s larger public gardens and parks, Ellwanger Garden offers a quieter, more intimate experience. Its limited public access fosters a sense of discovery, especially during Lilac Festival season, when much of the surrounding neighborhood is bustling with activity.

For anyone interested in Rochester history, horticulture, landscape preservation, or hidden places, Ellwanger Garden offers a rare opportunity to experience a historic private garden that has continued to evolve for more than 150 years since it was first planted.

Know Before You Go

• Location: 625 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, NY
• Public Access: Open only during designated spring open-house dates
• Admission: Free with a suggested $5 donation
• Parking: Available at 685 Mt. Hope Avenue via McLean Street
• Accessibility: Garden paths are primarily gravel and lawn
• Official Website: landmarksociety.org

When is your favorite time to visit Ellwanger Garden?

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