The Toledo Botanical Gardens Offer More Then Plants

If you look very closely at the parking lot and conference center, of the Toledo Botanical Gardens, you can still see the riding ring and stable of the horse farm that that George P. Crosby donated to the City of Toledo in 1964. Tucked away from the busy streets and surrounded by quiet neighborhoods, the Toledo Botanical Garden is an oasis of elegant gardens and tranquil ponds in the city.

The Pond Gazebo and the Shade Garden paths amble along under the canopy of a remnant of the Oak Openings region behind the conference center. (The Oak Openings region is the unique ecosystem of northwest Ohio.) The Herb Garden with its simple and unfussy layout instills a feeling of serenity with its bubbly fountain and the dainty looking herbs.

The log cabin of one of the regions earliest settlers was moved to the grounds in the 1970’s and a pioneer garden is planted next to the cabin. Sculptures and works of modern art are presented throughout the garden grounds and in the ponds.

The Toledo Botanical Garden hosts nearly twenty horticulture societies and artist guilds and studios. Most offer classes or host open houses and meetings on a regular basis.

The Toledo Botanical Garden hosts the Crosby Festival of the Arts the last weekend in June. The oldest juried art show in Ohio approximately 250 artists, from all over the country, display their art at the festival. An average of 20,000 people attend the annual event.

If you like plants and art the Toledo Botanical Garden is not to be missed when visiting Toledo. If you live here and you’ve never been to the Botanical Garden head over and see what you’ve been missing.