Highland Park draws international crowds numbering in the thousands during Rochester’s week-long Lilac Festival in May, though the lilacs are not the only sights to see! Frederick Law Olmsted designed this park in 1888, along with Genesee Valley, Seneca, and Maplewood, to be enjoyed year-round. Every pathway, every tree, every vista and every relationship between the land and water is intentional.
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Overview of the
Highland Park area
Walking the paved paths weaves you up, down, and through a diverse collection of flowers, flowering bushes and trees, taking you from the Pansy Bed to the Poet’s Garden, Tulip Garden, Lamberton Conservatory and the reservoir. Crossing South Ave. you can wander toward the stage at Highland Bowl (outdoor movies and Shakespeare in the summer) and the well-hidden Warner Castle Sunken Garden. Venturing across Mount Hope Blvd. you’ll discover the beautiful Mount Hope Cemetery in which you can spend hours discovering where the various pathways lead.
Lilac Festival: 18 Things to Do Nearby
Highland Park draws crowds numbering in the thousands during Rochester’s week-long Lilac Festival in May, though the lilacs are not the only sights to see!
The Lilacs
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.
Magnolia Collection
5 Beautiful Gardens Near Rochester
If you haven’t already, start with a visit to these five beautiful gardens near Rochester, many are free or require only a small donation or admission fee.
Pansy Bed
Wandering among the trees and flowering bushes in lower Highland Park
Japanese Maple Collection
Upper Highland Park
The Poet’s Garden
The Rhododendrons & Azaleas
All azaleas are Rhododendrons (note the capital R), but not all Rhododendrons are azaleas. And they’re all intoxicating!
The Pinetum
The Pinetum contains 300 species and varieties of conifers from all over the world.
The Tulip Bed
The Reservoir
Lamberton Conservatory
The Lamberton Conservatory is open year-round. In addition to its tropical forest display, desert plants, economic plants and house plants, the Conservatory features seasonal floral displays. The exhibits are changed 5 times throughout the year, so that there is always something new to be seen. The Conservatory is open daily from 10-4 p.m. Admission fees are $3.00 for adults, and $2.00 for youth (6-18) and seniors (62 and over). There is no fee for children ages 0 to 5 years. Seasonal passes are available for $10 individual, $30 family, and $50 companies and institutions.
Warner Castle Sunken Garden
Highland Bowl
Memorials in Highland Park
Newly constructed play-space
A few of my favorite
benches in Highland Park
More information about Highland Park
- Cost: Free
- Located in the City of Rochester (get directions)
- More information: cityofrochester.gov/highlandpark/ or monroecounty.gov/parks-highland
- Map of the park
Plant Collections
What’s in Bloom? (from the Highland Park Conservancy website)
February and March
- Witchhazels – south of the Overlook
- Helleborus foetidus – Stinking Hellobore
- Helleborus niger – Christmas Rose
- Galanthus – Snow Drops
- Chionodoxa – Glory of the Snow
- Scilla Siberica – Squill
- Crocus
- Primula – cowslip
- Vinca minor – Periwinkle
- Sanguinaria canadensis – Bloodroot
- Narcissus – Poets’
- Anemone blanda – Windflower
- Hepatica acutiloba
- Podophyllum peltatum – May Apple
- Brunnera
- Epimedium – Bishop’s Hat
- Helleborus orientalis – Lenten Rose
- Trillium grandiflorum
- Mertensia virginicus – Virginia Bluebell
- Asarum europium – European Ginger
- Arisaema triphyllum – Jack in the Pulpit
- Lathyrus vernus – Spring Vetchling
- Tulipa – Tulip
- Viola – Violet
- Polygonatum biflorum – Solomon’s Seal
Early April
- Magnolias – southwest of the Reservoir
Mid-April
- Forsythias and daffodils – south of the Overlook
Early May
- Flowering pears – along South Goodman between Highland and Elmwood
- Tulips – corner of South Avenue and Reservoir Drive
Mid-May
- Crabapples – along South Goodman between Highland and Elmwood
- Flowering Dogwood – south of the Overlook
- Muscari – Grape Hyacinth
- Convallaria majalis – Lily of the Valley
- Doronicum – Leopard’s Bane
- Allium
- Hyacinthoides hispanica – wood hyacinth
Late May
- Azaleas – southeast of the Overlook
- Horse chestnuts – west of the Reservoir
- Lilacs – along Highland Avenue
- Pansy Bed – on Highland Avenue
- Spirea – southeast of the Reservoir
- Tree peonies – west of the horse chestnuts
- Wisteria – southeast of the Reservoir
Early June
- Rhododendron – southeast of the Overlook
- Iris – near the magnolias
- Hesperis matronalis – Dame’s Rocket
- Sweet Woodruff
- Herb Robert
- Virginia Waterleaf
- Day Lily
- Wild Columbine
- Erythronium – Dogtooth Violet
- Smokebush
Mid-June
- Mock oranges – southeast of the Reservoir;
- Weigelas
July
- Hydrangeas – southeast of the Reservoir;
- Hardy Geranium/Crane’s Bill
- Thalictrum – Wild Meadowrue
- Cimicifuga
- Anemone syvestris
August
- Annual bedding plants and Shrub Althea
- Hosta
- Wood Aster
- Gooseneck Loosestrife
- Golden Rain Tree
Late September or Early October
- Look for the Katsura Tree to turn gold, then drop its leaves all at once. This is probably the largest specimen in the state, located near the Pansy bed.
October
- Witchhazels – south of the Overlook
- Decaisnea fargesii shrubs – This plant’s ripened bluish-colored and finger-shaped fruit provides for its commonly known name–dead man’s fingers. The shrub is native to western China and other western Asia countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, and northeastern parts of India.
November
Tropical plants need tropical temperatures, so visiting Lamberton Conservatory in winter is a welcome escape from the cold!
Sunken Garden at Warner Castle
When you stroll around the back of Warner Castle and down the lawn, you’ll discover the Sunken Garden. It’s a peaceful retreat anytime of the year.