Botanical Gardens
Please click below to learn more about the gardens you’ll encounter on your visit at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Gardens change seasonally, so be sure to visit during all four seasons to enjoy different plants and flowers in bloom. In addition to this online map, there are printed maps in the visitor center.

It all started in 2003, when the Arboretum provided the space and materials and the Extension Office agreed to design and maintain the Monet Garden in the style of Monet's garden in Giverny, France. EMG Nancy Branum developed the original design and has worked on numerous enhancements over the years. Each Wednesday morning 35-40 EMGs work together to keep the garden in tip-top condition. Another group meets on Saturday mornings. Last year EMGs in the Monet Garden planted over 8,400 annuals, 3,600 bulbs and 244 perennials; and contributed over 4,400 volunteer hours.
The centerpiece of the Garden is the gracefully arched bridge painted the signature Monet green, the color used for all of the garden structures in the Garden. Six garden sections make up the Monet Garden, each demonstrating various features of Monet's garden in France. They are the Allee, Keyhole, South Walk, Sunset, Woodland Edge and Water gardens. If you would like to learn more about the makeup of each garden section, feel free to come to the Monet Garden on a Wednesday or Saturday morning and the EMGs will be very happy to show you the details.




The Cohen Iris Garden is a veritable showcase of many iris varieties and a colorful garden throughout the year. We are indebted to the Greater Kansas City Iris Society for their guidance in making the Iris Garden a wonderful place to enjoy the beauty of iris from early bloomers in April to late bloomers in June.
The Legacy Garden and Ailie’s Glade are highlights of our shady and natural woodland gardens. The Ritter Retreat offers a quiet spot to enjoy the dogwoods, redbuds and a developing grove of bald cypress. A waterfall and babbling brook provide action and serenity in one.
Marder Garden is a shady walk – after leaving the Legacy Garden to the south. It has a burbling brook, and several tree and many native plant species, including Paw-paw, ferns, Dogwood, Hickory, Jack–in-the-pulpit, Mayapple and much more. Several areas can be reserved here, and one can enjoy the Master Pergola – a tree covered arbor with views into the garden to the north and south; the Koi Pond and small waterfall, adorned by fern beds.
Byrd’s Grove offers a quiet place from which to view Margaret’s Pond and the Amphitheater from the west side. Large, lavishly filled planters will give you ideas for your own containers at home.
This garden is a whimsical and educational experience for young visitors. Children can climb to the top of the Sky Watch, walk through the vine-covered Shrinking Tunnel, explore the Nature Play structures and check out the Frog Pond inhabitants.
The Herb Garden is a feast for the senses. The Garden contains a wide variety of commonly used culinary herbs, as well as herbs used for medical and aromatherapy purposes.
This garden is at the entrance of the Arboretum on 179th Street. It beckons visitors with a colorful array of shrubs, ornamental grasses and flowers gracing our beautiful hackett and limestone walls.
Xeriscape (zer-i-scape) gardens are based on key principals demonstrating that water-efficient gardens are not only practical and functional, but also visually pleasing. Plants are selected for and grouped by their water needs. This garden is located next to our Visitors Center.

The Overland Park Arboretum and the adjacent 320 acres known as Kemper Farm are the ideal location for a unique sculpture garden for the Midwest. The concept began in 2011 when The Arts & Recreation Foundation entered into a partnership with the International Sculpture Foundation and noted sculptor Kwan Wu and accepted gifts of 24 sculptures as part of a cultural exchange with China. These sculptures are currently on a 1/2 mile path that begins just outside the visitor center and east of the Monet Garden. Plans are for the sculptures to move to their permanent home in 2020 and become the centerpiece of the Sculpture Garden envisioned for 250 acres of Kemper Farms.
The sculpture garden master plan and concept emphasizes the relationship between art and nature. Read more about plans for this exciting development.
Visit Us
8909 W. 179th St.,
Overland Park, KS 66013
Overland Park, KS 66013
Admission:
$3.00 Age 13+ $1.00 Age 6-12 Free Age 5 and younger Always free for members of Friends of the Arboretum. The Arboretum is open 7 days a week, all year long. Summer Hours: April 1 - August 31, the Arboretum will be open: Early on Wednesdays, 7am-5pm Late on Thursdays, 9am-8pm The Arboretum will close at noon on Saturday, June 25. Holiday Hours: The Arboretum will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. New Year's Day will be open 10am - 2pm Free Admission Days 2022 February 1 March 1, 26-27 April 5 May 3 June 7 July 5 August 2 September 6 October 1-2 and 4 November 1 December 6 Hours: |
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Monday | 9am - 5pm |
Tuesday | 9am - 5pm |
Wednesday | 9am - 5pm |
Thursday | 9am - 5pm |
Friday | 9am - 5pm |
Saturday | 9am - 5pm |
Sunday | 9am - 5pm |