Spring into wellness programs, events and a reflective art exhibit 

(CLEVELAND) March 6, 2025 – This spring season, Cleveland Botanical Garden invites you to experience the profound healing power of nature. Through a thoughtful collaboration with Deep Roots Gallery, a series of mental health-focused programs, and the breathtaking beauty of blooming outdoor gardens, we celebrate how time in nature can boost mood, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. Cleveland Botanical Garden hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. The first official day of the spring season is Thursday, March 20, 2025.  

PHOTOS – COURTESY OF HOLDEN FORESTS & GARDENS 

THE NATURE OF HEALING WITH DEEP ROOTS EXPERIENCE opens Saturday, April 5. The Nature of Healing is a group art exhibition featuring over 20 artists from Northeast Ohio. Co-curated with and presented by Deep Roots Experience, this exhibition focuses on trauma and mental health and utilizing green spaces, such as Cleveland Botanical Garden, as healing spaces in the community. 

Cleveland, historically challenged by some of the highest crime rates in the nation and recently identified as the most stressed city in the country, presents a fertile ground for artistic inquiry. The work poses the question to creatives of “What is the relationship between flowers, botany, nature, and the grief of trauma?” This show’s exploration seeks to unravel the complex interplay between natural elements and the emotional landscapes shaped by trauma and mourning. The inspiration behind the work is to dig even further to explore what it means to utilize art and natural spaces as tools to support mental health and healthy communities. 

Based in Cleveland’s historic Fairfax neighborhood, Deep Roots Experience serves as an inclusive platform for artists and storytellers, using art as a bridge to connect communities. Through exhibitions, content creation, and educational initiatives, Deep Roots Gallery celebrates diverse perspectives, cultivates creative expression, and provides opportunities that uplift historically underrepresented voices in a way that promotes unity, innovation, and positive social impact. 

Join the artists and Holden Forests & Gardens staff for a weekly tour of the galleries in The Nature of Healing exhibit each Thursday from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. beginning April 10. Gallery tours are free, but space is limited. Check holdenfg.org for additional details and registration information.  

SPRING EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES 

MIDWEST CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY SALE & SHOW on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6. Secure your succulents at this highly anticipated sale of the year. Please note, this event fills up fast! Registration is not required. This sale is cash and check only.   

REOPENING OF HERSHEY CHILDREN’S GARDEN  

Help your child disconnect from technology and discover the wonders of nature. The Hershey Children’s Garden features a beautiful new ADA accessible treehouse and pathway throughout the garden, as well as immersive hands-on activities like making mud pies and searching for insects and arthropods in our lush foliage. A great way to play and explore nature’s playground, and so much more! The Hershey Children’s Garden will open on Saturday, April 19. 

SPRING EGG HUNT  

Join us on Saturday, April 19 from 9 a.m. – noon for an egg-ceptionally fun day at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Eggs will be hidden all morning long and once each hunter has received their 10 natural seed bomb eggs, they can retrieve their delicious prize at our candy station. Our seed bomb eggs are a great way to avoid plastic and encourage planting. Advance registration is required. The Cleveland Botanical Garden will be temporarily closed to the public during this event. Public access will resume at noon. Spring Egg Hunt Registration. 

POETRY IN THE GARDEN WITH U.S. POET LAUREATE ADA LIMÓN 

On April 12 from 2 – 4 p.m., hear from two sets of local poets sharing how nature has shaped their work, followed by a panel that brings together experts from the arts and sciences for a conversation about trees and climate change. The panelists include poet laureate of the United States, Ada Limón; provost of Case Western Reserve University; Joy Ward, an evolutionary biologist; and poetry editor of The Atlantic and chair of the Department of English, Walt Hunter. Registration required. Poetry in the Garden Registration. 

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH 

Treat your mom this Mother’s Day, Sunday May 11, to a delicious meal surrounded by the beauty of the Botanical Garden. Make sure to capture the moment at our stunning photo spots. Take a stroll through the blooming beds of our outdoor garden. This time of year, might just be the best! Seating times to be announced, check holdenfg.org for updates. 

OUR OUTDOOR GARDENS                                                                                                                   

Whether you’re a budding plant-lover or a deep-rooted botanist, our gardens offer something special for everyone. As winter gives way to spring, our campus awakens with bursts of color and life. Come witness the first signs of the season—delicate snowdrops, fragrant witch-hazels, abundant hellebores, and the golden glow of spicebush. Step onto the Geis Terrace, where the first spring bulbs push through the soil, heralding warmer days ahead. Wander through our Japanese Garden and be part of its rich, 50-year legacy, a tranquil space where nature and tradition intertwine. Find solace beneath the towering trees of our Woodland Garden, a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Explore the Western Reserve Herb Society Garden, home to over 3,500 plants used for dyes, historic roses, culinary needs, and medicinal remedies. Throughout our campus, you’ll also discover hidden gems in the Gateway Garden, Perennial Garden, Restorative Garden, Inspiration Gardens, Rose Garden, and Topiary Garden. No matter where you wander, there’s something new to uncover with every visit. 

FREE ADMISSION DAY, Friday, April 25 – ARBOR DAY 2025 

Celebrate trees with us on Friday, April 25! Enjoy free admission to the Cleveland Botanical Garden from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., a tree seedling giveaway while supplies last, and a community resource fair. More information to come. 

GET GROWING WITH SPRING PROGRAMS 

• BOTANICAL PAINTING & DRAWING: Join us every Tuesday from April 23 – May 7 at 2 – 4:30 p.m. to connect with plants on a creative level. This seven-week series will be held in person at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Learn composition skills and techniques of botanicals including line, form, shading techniques, and layering using inspiration from the natural world with instructor Susan Gray Be. This class welcomes all levels of experience and mediums. All seven sessions are included in the registration fee. Participants will provide their own materials. The materials list will be provided at the start of class. Cost: $140 per member, $180 per nonmember. Botanical Painting & Drawing Registration. 

• THE POWERFUL TOOL OF NATURE: MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT DURING PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM: On Saturday, April 12 from noon – 3 p.m., join Chemarra Bryant, a licensed professional clinical counselor and certified perinatal mental health professional, as she educates on the importance of mental health during the perinatal period. Program participants will learn coping strategies, receive resources, and engage in nature immersion experiences designed to promote positive mental health outcomes. This class is for adults who are currently 12+ weeks pregnant or within 1 year of giving birth. Cost $30 per person. The Powerful Tool of Nature Registration. 

• HEALING THROUGH PLANTS: BEGINNING HERBALISM: Learn how plants can support our health during times of stress. Saturday, May 3 from 10:30 a.m. – noon, join us for an introduction to how plants are used for their healing and medicinal properties. This program will include an overview of how plants have been used historically, as well as a discussion of easy ways to create and use herbal medicine in daily life. Participants will have the opportunity to create herbal tea blends as part of their learning. Cost: $10 per member, $25 per nonmember. Healing Through Plants Registration. 

• GUIDED MEDITATION & TEA BLENDING CEREMONY: Join us on Sunday, May 4 from 2 – 4 p.m. Settle into the circle as you are led through a guided meditation to identify your intentions for the season with healer and teacher Caressa Joyce. Amber Pompeii of Cleveland Tea Revival will describe different herbal teas and their benefits. Participant will create their own custom tea blends to take home. Cost: $40 per member, $55 per nonmember. Guided Meditation & Tea Blending Ceremony Registration. 

SUMMER CAMPS 

We are excited to provide day camps at the Cleveland Botanical Garden this summer for children ages 4 – 10. Each uniquely themed camp is packed with outdoor exploration, hands-on learning, and physical and creative activities that will get kids connected and excited about nature. Full List of Summer Camps Here.