Botanica Gardens
Botanica, The Wichita Gardens was opened to the public in 1987 to generate enthusiasm for horticulture and enlighten people through educational, artistic, and cultural experiences. With this mission, Botanica's gardens and programs expand public awareness of horticulture, educate Kansans about how nature can improve their daily lives, and assist in the promotion of community development.
In 1982, the Wichita Area Garden Council joined forces with the City of Wichita with a unified vision to provide area residents with a center for horticultural enjoyment and education within a landscape garden setting. For the next three years, plans were formulated for the establishment of Botanica as the community center for horticulture. With the assistance of the Wichita Park Board; site selection, building plans, and methods of funding were secured and finalized. Ground was broken in September of 1985 and nearly 2 years later, the group's vision for Wichita had become a reality.
Since its opening with four gardens and a horticultural library, Botanica has added 25 additional themed gardens and exhibits. This botanical paradise on the plains comprises over nine acres of stunning gardenscaping that features over 4,000 species of plants both native and new to the region. All gardens are designed to emphasize collections in display settings that feature plants particularly well-suited to south-central Kansas. In addition to the display gardens, an evaluation garden has been added for the specific purpose of introducing and evaluating plants that may be suited to the region. The Gardens are decorated with a collection of 23 elegant sculptures, flowing streams, fountains, and waterfalls that complement the beauty of plants and that create a visually stunning atmosphere.Botanica, The Wichita Gardens is open year-round and repeat visits offer new surprises as The Gardens change with the seasons. In spring, over 50,000 tulip bulbs and 110,000 daffodil bulbs bloom along with an assortment of wildflowers and flowering shrubs. Later bloomers include azaleas, irises, roses, peonies, and other perennials. More than 20,000 annuals combine with beautiful perennial color in the summer along with spectacular prairie wildflowers. In autumn, you'll find asters, liriope, sedum, and more than 5,000 chrysanthemums amongst the backdrop of fall color from trees and shrubs. In winter, The Gardens feature 12,000 pansies, red-twig dogwood, witch hazel, and berried hollies.
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