The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
2655 South Park Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14218
Phone - 716.827.1584
Fax - 716.828.0091
Hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Sunday
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Special 2011 Holiday Hours:
10am-12pm - Christmas Eve (December 24)
Closed - Christmas Day (December 25)
10am-12pm - New Year's Eve (December 31)
Click on the buffalo to see a virtual tour of the Gardens!
Mission Statement
The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is a living museum dedicated to advancing appreciation for and knowledge of plant life and its connection to people and cultures through its documented living plant collection, historic conservatory, education, research and exhibits.
Vision Statement
We are moving toward a future where the lives of people of all ages are enriched by living plants of all kinds, and they are committed to sustaining the wonders of Earth’s natural systems to ensure diverse plant life for future generations.
The Gardens Today
The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society, Inc. and Erie County have a longstanding working relationship. On August 16, 2004, The Society and Erie County formed a public/private partnership. While Erie County continues to play an important role in the future of The Gardens, formation of this new partnership gave The Society 100% responsibility for the day-to-day management and operations of The Gardens. The Society is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit corporation dedicated to restoring, reviving and remaking The Gardens to its fullest potential!
The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is a national historic site, education center and tourist destination full of exotic horticulture treasures. Although there are some plants native to our temperate region, most are native to tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Made up of three glass domes and nine greenhouses, this breathtaking conservatory is situated on 11.4 acres at the entrance to Buffalo’s historic South Park.
The Gardens at a Glance
The plants inside are arranged in classic Victorian style and similar plants from throughout the world are grouped together. Although there are some plants native to our temperate region, most of the plants are native to the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Our Gardens include:
Palm Dome (House 1)
Standing at 67' tall, the Palm Dome is full of magnificent palms and tropical fruit trees. As visitors enter, a globe introduces the Gardens’ long-term renovation project with a theme “The Buffalo Meridian”. This theme will take visitors on a walking tour through the Gardens and around the world. Guests will visit various locales and plant collections found along the Buffalo Meridian...a line circumnavigating the globe, connecting us to other people, places and plants.
Florida Everglades (House 12)
This special immersion exhibit about the Everglades showcases different native habitats, plants and animal species. Learn the importance of maintaining wetlands, the natural water filtration system of the world.
Panama Cloud Forest & Epiphyte Pavilion (House 11)
This exhibit engages visitors to experience epiphytes the way they would live 200' above the rainforest floor. Exotic orchids, bromeliads and tillandsia varieties are incorporated into this natural exhibit.
Special Event House (House 10)
This space is available for weddings, special events, cocktail parties, showers and meetings. It is also sometimes included in our flower shows several times throughout the year. It permanently houses beautifully draped ivy and a collection of tropical plants. Call 716-827-1584 ext. 219 for more information.
Victorian Ivy & Herb House (House 9)
The largest public ivy collection in the world is featured in this house. Some of the 400-plus ivy cultivars are displayed throughout this exhibit among varieties of herbs and scented geraniums. A delight to the senses, this exhibit highlights many water features, a vine covered gazebo and grotto.
Orchid House (House 8)
A visitor favorite! This exhibit showcases a unique variety of exotic orchids displayed when in bloom. Varieties include cymbidiums, dendrobiums, cattleyas and other unusual species.
Begonia House (House 6)
Begonias are known for their colorful and unusually textured leaves. No matter the time of year, all begonia varieties are simply magnificent.
Tropical House (House 5)
Highlights include Sensitive Plant, Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow Plant, Shrimp Plant and Pepperomia. There are many common and not so common flowering houseplants in this exhibit. The meticulous tropical Bonsai collection also calls this house home.
Desert House (House 4)
This collection of succulents features many varieties found in American deserts, including the giant cacti and agave plants. Euphorbs and sansevierias found in the African deserts can also be seen. Highlights include varieties of lithops and a unique collection of succulents from South Africa.
Fern House & Tropical Rainforest (Houses 2 and 3)
The centerpiece in this exhibit is a 30' waterfall surrounded by banana trees. The pond is home to aquatic plants and koi fish of all sizes. The large dinosaur topiaries forage among ferns and cycads, ancient survivors of plant evolution.
Front Entrance Garden (March through October)
Seasonal combinations of thousands of spring bulbs, annuals and tropical plants (depending on the season) greet visitors as they approach the main entrance.
Rose Garden (June through October)
This garden contains rich and beautiful colors of extra hardy and disease resistant rose cultivars. You can take notes for a carefree home garden.
Shrub/Perennial Garden (March through October)
Planned by Olmsted as part of the arboretum, it is now home to rare and unusual perennials, annuals, shrubs and trees. Vignettes of masterfully selected combinations of foliage and flowering plants present ever changing vistas of color throughout the seasons.
Children’s Garden (Late May through October)
This garden is designed to stimulate the senses. Fragrant herbs, a colorful butterfly garden and a cascading water feature highlight this hands-on garden. Soil exploration areas, a compost area, digging areas and hand operated water pumps encourage kids to explore gardening.
South Park Arboretum
South Park was planned to be an arboretum with trees planted together as botanical families. Most of the trees are from original plantings made in 1894 – 1910. In 1915, when the nine hole golf course was added, trees were also added to divide the fairways. When you drive, hike or jog the South Park Ring Road, you will enjoy all the Olmsted vistas including a small lake at the center and a surrounding meadow. The Buffalo Olmsted Conservancy continues its efforts to restore and preserve South Park and the Olmsted-designed park system in Buffalo.
