Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland

The Cleveland Botanical Garden, originally established in 1930 as the Garden Center of Greater Cleveland, was the first of its kind in an American city. Initially located in a converted boathouse on Wade Park Lagoon, the Garden Center served as a horticultural library, offered gardening workshops, and led beautification projects throughout the community. By 1966, having outgrown its original location, it moved to its current site in University Circle, which was once home to the Cleveland Zoo. The remnants of the zoo’s old bear pit can still be seen in the Ohio Woodland Garden, serving as a reminder of the garden’s evolving history.

In 1994, the Garden Center rebranded as the Cleveland Botanical Garden, signaling a broader mission and the launch of a campaign to develop a state-of-the-art facility. The renovated and expanded gardens, designed by Graham Gund Architects, opened to the public in July 2003.

The highlight of the 2003 expansion is the Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse, a stunning 17,000-square-foot conservatory that recreates two distinct biomes: the spiny desert of Madagascar and the cloud forest of Costa Rica. These biomes showcase over 350 plant species and 50 animal species, including hundreds of vibrant butterflies.

Beyond the Glasshouse, the garden’s 10-acre grounds feature a diverse array of themed gardens, such as the award-winning Hershey Children’s Garden, the first children’s garden in Ohio, and the Elizabeth and Nona Evans Restorative Garden. Other notable areas include the David and Paula Swetland Topiary Garden, the Western Reserve Herb Society Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Sears-Swetland Rose Garden, the C.K. "Pat" Patrick Perennial Border, and the Campsey-Stauffer Gateway Garden.

The Cleveland Botanical Garden also recognizes significant national contributions to horticulture through the Vail Medal. Past recipients include notable landscape designer Lynden B. Miller.