Explore twelve themed gardens and a native butterfly house. Visit horticulture workshops and enjoy events for both children and adults.
The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is a nonprofit organization that leases 44 acres of land on the east side of Lake Fayetteville Park. It includes a horticultural demonstration center, a woody plant collection, and an arboretum.
Themed Gardens
The BGO is home to 12 themed gardens, including a vegetable and herb garden, Japanese, children’s, educational cottage, butterfly, four seasons, shade, rock and water, and Ozark native gardens. Sculptures and water features are in abundance at the gardens, and guests can spot many species of plants and trees that are native to Arkansas and North America.
The four seasons garden has a coy pond and displays a wide variety of foliage, flowers, and shrubs that thrive in different seasons. It is a great place to walk, savor the scent of spring, summer, and fall flowers or watch a garden show at this time of year.
The garden also features an Ozark Native Garden that has a small native stream and two shaded “front porch” swings. The garden has a variety of perennials, grasses, and wildflowers that thrive in the Arkansas soil. The garden also showcases a collection of plants that are native to Northwest Arkansas, including the ebony oak.
Art Exhibits
Enjoy the beauty of nature at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, home to twelve themed gardens and Arkansas’ only butterfly house. The garden hosts family-friendly events, such as the Firefly Fling Festival and Little Sprouts and Garden Buds educational programs for children.
The garden also hosts Terrific Tuesday Nights, a free event every Tuesday night from June to August. This year’s events are themed “Summer Fiesta,” featuring a performance by Duo Divinas, beginner salsa lessons, and Mexican food from La Hacienda. Guests can also visit community partner booths to learn about snakes with the Ozark Natural Science Center, worm farms with Ozarks Worm Farm, and Greedy Goats NWA.
The Walton Arts Center is the largest cultural center in Northwest Arkansas, with a year-round schedule of symphony performances, pop concerts, theater (including Broadway shows and children’s productions), and dance. Located just around the corner from the University of Arkansas and Dickson Street, it’s the perfect place to experience high-caliber entertainment.
Events
Throughout the year, guests can attend horticulture workshops, observe butterflies in the Butterfly House and browse art expositions at this garden. The site also hosts events like concerts, weddings, and other community activities.
The BGO offers a free, family-friendly event every Tuesday night from June through August called Terrific Tuesday Nights. The event series is made possible through support from the Pat and Willard Walker Charitable Foundation, Inc. Guests can bring picnics, blankets, and chairs. Glass, smoking, and e-cigarettes are not permitted on the site.
The annual International Festival is a celebration of culture and diversity at the BGO. Food trucks and vendors offer international foods on the Great Lawn while dance performances take place on stage. Guests can explore shady areas of the gardens and visit booths that feature arts and crafts, displays, and cultural items for sale. The event is part of Welcoming Week, a nationwide effort to connect immigrants, refugees, and native-born residents.
Admission
The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is a non-profit organization that offers education, entertainment, and recreation for visitors of all ages. Visitors can spot plant and tree species that thrive in Northwest Arkansas, get up close to multicolored butterflies at the Butterfly House, and participate in activities such as art expositions and gardening workshops for adults and children.
This is a great place to visit with kids, and it’s free to explore the grounds. You can even purchase an audio tour to learn more about the gardens. Currently, BGO has a General Garden Tour and a specialized Butterfly Audio Tour available.
Aside from its twelve themed gardens and the region’s only butterfly house, the garden is also home to an event series called Terrific Tuesday Nights. This family-friendly summer series is held each week between June and August, from 5 to 8:30 PM, and is open to the public at no charge. Visitors are encouraged to bring picnics and chairs and enjoy the beautiful gardens under the stars.
Driving directions from Hi-Tech Enterprises to Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
Driving directions from Botanical Garden of the Ozarks to Lake Fayetteville Park