The Cleveland Botanical Garden bursts into vibrant life this summer with an exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of our Japanese Garden, new experiences in the Hershey Children’s Garden and stunning blooms all around. A full calendar of summer events awaits including concerts on the terrace, a fairy tea party, yoga, and so much more. 

SUMMER AT THE CLEVELAND BOTANICAL GARDEN PHOTOS – PHOTOS COURTESY OF HOLDEN FORESTS & GARDENS 

BETWEEN WATER AND STONE: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF OUR JAPANESE GARDEN 

Our beloved Japanese Garden is turning 50! Discover the timeless harmony of nature and design. Delight in quiet spaces, delicate bonsai, calming activities, and stories that reveal the deeper meaning behind each stone and bloom. The exhibit extends beyond our Japanese Garden, inviting you to learn about the origins and intentions behind our space. As you make your way back to our Japanese Garden, you will be ready to identify and appreciate the many conscious efforts made to reflect the traditional elements and values of Japanese garden design. 

Japanese gardens are often given names which reflect their characters. Gan Ryuu Tei, the name of our garden, means Rock Stream Garden. The rock stream, as well as symbolic mountains and clouds, can be appreciated while on a short walk through the Japanese Garden. Between Water and Stone: Celebrating 50 years of our Japanese Garden will run from Saturday, May 24 through Monday, September 1. 

NEW ADDITIONS IN THE HERSHEY CHILDREN’S GARDEN 

Exciting new features include our re-opened treehouse and a hive maze where children can experience the journey of a bee. The new interactive beehive maze structure, created in partnership with RGI Creative, will open on Saturday, May 24. Children can run and play in the maze structure while imagining they are honeybees buzzing about. Also new this summer, the honeybees have returned! In partnership with Youth Bee Works and the Cleveland V.A., two new live bee hives have found a new home in the Hershey Children’s Garden. Keep an eye out for these busy pollinators as they zip through the garden in search of nectar and pollen.  

Young visitors can also engage in activities like searching for fish, frogs, and turtles in the pond, discovering how vegetables and herbs grow, playing in nature’s playground, and getting creative in the sandbox, as well as learning how to care for plants using a working water pump. 

SUMMER NIGHTS AT THE CLEVELAND BOTANICAL GARDEN 

Each Thursday from June 5 through September 25, the garden will be open late until 8:30 p.m. Enjoy the café, glasshouses, your favorite outdoor gardens, and special evening events. Admission is free for Holden Forests & Gardens members. On Thursdays after 5 p.m., visitors enjoy discounted admission: $10 for adults and $7 for children ages 3 to 12. Tickets can be purchased in person or online at holdenfg.org.  

Gourmets at the Garden featuring Cleveland chefs returns on Thursday, June 14, July 3, 24, August 14, September 4, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Guests are invited to enjoy delicious light bites from some of Cleveland’s best chefs including Chef Eric Wells and Spice Catering. Advanced registration is required. Gourmets at the Garden Registration. 

Live Music in the Gardens on Every Thursday, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. To showcase some of the Cleveland’s greatest artists, the Garden will host live music on Thursday evenings all summer long. Kicking off the series in celebration of Pride Night, local favorite Girl Cologne will take the stage. Visit holdenfg.org for the full lineup. Included with admission. 

Yoga in the Garden | Select Thursdays 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.     

It won’t be a stretch to enjoy yoga outside in the gardens this summer. Featuring instructors from Yoga Roots, Adapted Fitness, Kristin in Cleveland and Bottoms Up! Yoga. Advanced registration required. Yoga in the Garden Registration. 

Wade Oval Wednesdays – Wednesday, June 18 & August 6 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. 

Enjoy free admission to the Cleveland Botanical Garden on Wednesday, June 18 and August 6, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. as part of Wade Oval Wednesdays. Guests are invited to enter through the Kohl Gate, located off Wade Oval, and take a relaxing stroll through the lush outdoor gardens during these extended evening hours. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience the beauty of the gardens in full summer splendor, free of charge, while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Wade Oval’s weekly summer celebration. 

WHAT’S IN BLOOM?  

The Cleveland Botanical Garden’s 10-acre grounds are bursting with spectacular flowering plants, shrubs, and trees—from spirea, peonies, and lilies to vibrant floribunda roses in our picturesque Mary Ann Sears Swetland Rose Garden, which surrounds a Roman-style octagonal pool. A seasonal favorite, the Maid-of-Kent rose, drapes gracefully over our iconic stone arches each summer. Nearby, the Western Reserve Herb Garden blends horticulture and history with over 3,500 herbs and plants arranged in themed sections, all within a formal knot garden inspired by traditional English design. Visit holdenfg.org to see what’s blooming each month and follow our weekly Its Poppin’ blog for updates. 

SUMMER PROGRAMS & EXPERIENCES 

Little Steps to Ikebana: A Children’s Class | Saturday, June 7, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. or 1 – 2 p.m. 

Watch your child become a floral artist in our Children’s Ikebana class! Kids will explore Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, and let their imagination and creativity grow as they learn to make beautiful designs with blooms and buds. All supplies are included in the registration fee. Age: Children 6-12 years old with accompanying adult. Children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the program. Accompanying adults are free to register. Cost: $35 per member child, $50 per nonmember child. Little Steps Ikebana Registration. 

Make & Take: Ikenobo Ikebana | Tuesday, June 17, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.                                  

Ikebana flower arranging is a traditional Japanese art spanning centuries, of which the Ikenobo School is the oldest and most traditional. With guidance from a local expert, participants in this program will learn the basic principles and style of Ikenobo and create a fresh flower arrangement to take home and enjoy. Beginners are welcome. Flowers, kenzan, and a basic container will be provided to take home. Cost: $50 per member, $65 per nonmember. Make & Take: Ikenobo Ikebana Resistration. 

Zen Through the Lens: Capturing the Essence of a Japanese Garden | Sunday, June 22, 8 a.m. – noon 

Japanese Gardens are a unique and timeless art form that embraces serenity and natural tranquility for contemplation. We’ll photograph all of the textures, small details, leading lines, stone arrangements and vibrant green elements will be appreciated by our senses and offer an abundance of photographic opportunities. A basic understanding of your camera is necessary. Tripods will be allowed during the workshop. Cost: $60 per member, $100 per nonmember. Zen Through the Lens Registration. 

Columbus Koto Ensemble with Shojoji Japanese Dancers | Saturday, June 28, 1 – 3 p.m.    

Join us for an afternoon of traditional Japanese dance and music. The performance will open with Cleveland’s own Shojoji Dancers, who have been delighting and educating local audiences since the 1950s, followed by the Columbus Koto Ensemble. The koto is a traditional Japanese instrument, similar to a harp or a dulcimer. With their broad musical repertoire from folk tunes to anime favorites, the Columbus Koto Ensemble showcases the history, culture, and versatility of this beautiful sound. Cost: $25 per member, $35 per nonmember. Columbus Koto Ensemble Registration. 

Attracting Pollinators to Your Yard | Saturday, June 29, 1 – 2:30 p.m.                              

Learn best practices for inviting native pollinators to your home garden! Our native pollinators benefit our yards and gardens and are fascinating subjects to observe. Join our Horticulture Staff in discovering who we can attract and how in this informative program. We’ll cover native pollinator species and lifecycles as well as tips and tricks for plant selection. Registration fee includes take home materials. Cost: $20 per member, $25 per nonmember. Attracting Pollinators to Your Yard Registration. 

Between Water & Stone Celebration – Thursday, August 21, 6 – 9 p.m. 

Learn origami and traditional Japanese dance from ShoJoJi Japanese dancers, then meet the horticulturist behind the care of the Japanese Garden. Included with admission. 

Programming in the Hershey Children’s Garden 

The education team is excited to be able to offer fun and enriching programs this summer to engage the young minds visiting our properties. Check out this summer’s Hershey Children’s Garden daily programming starting Tuesday, June 3: 

• Morning Sun Salutations, Tuesdays – Sundays from 10:30 – 11 a.m.: Little ones kick off their day with a scoop on why the sun is the garden’s MVP, then they stretch it out with a fun yoga session with some sunny salutations! 
• Story Time, Tuesdays from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Swing by the treehouse for a storytime adventure! Each month brings a brand-new theme that’ll tickle your imagination! 
• A Ponderful Life, Tuesdays & Thursdays from 2:30 – 4 p.m.: Kids are about to embark on a splash-tastic adventure at the Hershey Children’s Garden Pond! They’ll dive into the wacky world of amphibians and creepy-crawly macro-invertebrates, uncovering their life cycles like little nature detectives. Plus, they’ll chat about how these little creatures can be our secret weapon for figuring out water quality 
• Art in the Garden, Wednesdays & Fridays from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Kids will get to unleash their inner creativity with some fabulous garden/nature-themed crafting and artistic fun! 
• Bugs in the Garden, Wednesdays & Fridays from 2:30 – 4 p.m.: Grab your trusty spoon and jar, and let’s embark on a bug-hunting adventure! We’ll be on a mission to discover, study, and admire the little critters that make this place their home. Just remember, it’s a catch-and-release party—we’ll return to our little friends after the fun! 
• Garden Skills, Thursday from 2:30 – 4 p.m.: Kids are diving into this green-thumb adventure to pick up all sorts of gardening tricks they can use in the Hershey Children’s Garden and beyond! 
• Pot a Seed, Mondays from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. & 2:30 – 4 p.m.: Get ready for some green-thumbed fun! In this activity, kiddos discover the secrets to happy plants, then they’ll plant their very own seeds to take home and shower with love and attention! 
• Turtle Time, Saturday & Sunday from 2:30 – 4 p.m.: Swing by and hang out with our buddy, the box turtle! Discover what makes these shelled wonders so awesome. Watch them zoom (well, as fast as a turtle can zoom) and maybe even serve them a tasty turtle treat. 

Visit holdenfg.org for times and availability for programming in the Hersey Children’s Garden. 

Fairy Tea 

Immerse yourself in the magical world of fairies on Sunday, August 17 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Fairy Tea. During this magical morning, children will have the opportunity to explore the Hershey Children’s Garden, make a nature-themed fairy wand, enjoy a light “tea”, and make a teacup planter to take home, all in the company of our garden fairies. This program is suited for any children 3+. Children under the age of 3 are free with an accompanying adult/child ticket. Visit holdenfg.org for updates. 

Fit & Florals: Ladies Night | Friday, July 18 – 6- 9 pm 

Join us for a night of self-care, connection, and unbeatable summer energy! You’ll have the option to get your sweat on with two high-energy workouts, slow things down with a rejuvenating yoga class, an enchanting sound bath under the stars, and complimentary experience stations—all while shopping from our favorite local businesses! Gather your girls and celebrate summer! This event is in collaboration with Beauty Boost Cleveland. Cost: $35 per person. Fit & Florals: Ladies Night Registration. 

NEW DISPLAYS 

Braids Exhibit with The Braid Society 

From June 17 – July 20 only, the Ellipse at the Cleveland Botanical Garden will host a captivating international group exhibition presented by members of the Braid Society and American Kumihimo Society. This unique art exhibit, curated in conjunction with the Society’s upcoming conference Rockin’ Braids and Bands at Case Western Reserve University, will showcase a diverse array of braiding and narrow band weaving techniques from around the world. Visitors can explore intricate examples of Japanese Kumihimo, Peruvian braiding, ply-split braiding, inkle weaving, and more. The exhibition highlights the rich cultural history and artistic innovation within the world of braiding, offering an inspiring experience for both fiber art enthusiasts and curious newcomers. 

Sara Nguyen: Lunar Garden in the Eppig Gallery 

Sarah Nguyen is a mixed media artist, working primarily with hand cut-fiber panels and paintings to tell a story. This series explores the imagery that is found in mythology relating to full moons occurring in the United States and the connections to Indigenous names (such as the June Strawberry Moon to September’s Harvest Moon). Nature is a universal language, one that all cultures understand, in that way its symbols can be used to bring you to a common ground. 

Jessica Wascak: Stereoscopes: Spirit/Land in the Orientation Theatre 

Stereoscopy combines two images, from slightly different perspectives, forcing our visual 

system to create the illusion of depth. Shift your perspective just a little bit and you can see something in an entirely new way. Her work is currently included in many public and private collections throughout the region. 

Tatiana Roberts: Star Gazing Collection in the Guren Gallery 

Tatiana “Tati” Roberts is a Cleveland-based artist known for her watercolor pet portraits, colorful acrylic paintings and innovative faux-cyanotype botanicals. With acrylic paints, she captures the fleeting emotions that the sky so effortlessly reflects and explores the delicate interplay between nature and art through faux-cyanotypes of botanical elements. 

Grace Frank: Explorations in the Cafe 

Explorations is a celebration of color, emotion, and the quiet beauty woven into everyday life. Whether painting on glass, canvas, or capturing the colors of feelings and sound. Frank is a Cleveland-based artist working across multiple mediums, including reverse glass painting, canvas, paper sculpture, and abstract interpretations of emotion and sound. 

Arron Foster: In-Visible in the Eppig Gallery 

Through the structured act of close looking and the experience of capturing a piece of the landscape in perpetuity through printmaking, photography, and installation. Arron Foster engages with the unique qualities of the Ohio landscape while creating images that illustrate the overarching phenomena of ecological balance that characterizes nature. 

Meet the Artists Gallery Opening: Friday, May 23 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. 

Explore our art galleries after hours and meet artists Grace Frank, Tatiana Robers, and Jessica Wascak, whose work is on display. Enjoy live music on the Geis Terrace and Rabbit Food food truck with snacks available for purchase. 

SUMMER HOURS  

The Cleveland Botanical Garden is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exceptions of Thursdays when we are open from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission before 5 p.m. is $20 per adult and $14 per child ages three to 12 (free for children two and under). On Thursdays after 5 p.m., enjoy discounted admission: $10 for adults and $7 for children ages three to 12. Admission is free for Holden Forests & Gardens members.