Explore the Natural Beauty of our Gardens
The Gardens
Explore Our Gardens!
Explore the beauty of nature in the heart of Waterloo, IA with our interactive guide. Powered by Google Maps, this map helps you navigate trails, gardens, and ponds while discovering rare plant species and learning about the arboretum's history.
Plan your visit, find upcoming events, and immerse yourself in our enchanting oasis. Start your adventure now by clicking the button below:
Highlights of the Gardens
Below are a few of the many amazing features are gardens provide the community. Click the tabs below to find more information!
Summer Storytime at the Arboretum
The award winning, Max & Helen Guernsey Children's Garden is one of the most popular spots to visit in the gardens. Featuring a Koi pond, Greenroof playhouse, Hobbit hole, dinosaur dig, carrot cafe, music station, and a peek-a-boo forest. Children of all ages are sure to find something to enjoy in the Children's Garden.
The Children's garden is also where families gather and enjoy our weekly summer storytime at the Arboretum. Check out the list of readers for this season below.
Fun fact:
The Max & Helen Guernsey Children's Garden was awarded a Merit Award for the work completed by Buettner and Associates, Inc by the American Society of Landscape Architects - Wisconsin Chapter in 2006.
Explore the Beauty
Featuring a variety of Austin, Buck, Floribunda, Rugosa, Shrub roses, and more, this garden is a popular spot for wedding ceremonies and photographers looking to capture the beauty of their clients in the great outdoors.
In 2022, donors came together to raise funds during the annual Moonlight & Roses Fundraiser to purchase over $1,840 worth of new rose varieties to add to the garden in the coming seasons. These include David Austin and Jackson & Perkins rose varieties.
The most stunning feature of the garden is the natural wood pergola that serves as the focus point for visitors entering the Rose Garden and transports you to a secluded space filled with pops of color and the sweet smell of roses.
Fun fact:
The Rose Garden has been the backdrop to over 350 weddings held at the Arboretum since it was opened for rental use. With seating for up to 250 people, this garden is intimate, romantic, and perfect for a couple looking for a place to be surrounded by love and the beauty of nature. To learn more about hosting a wedding at the Arboretum, check out our information on Wedding Rentals below or call 319-226-4966.
The Collection
The Stout Daylily collection was created to showcase the award winners of the American Horticultural Society's Stout Silver medal.
From The American Hemerocallis Society's website:
"The highest award a cultivar can receive is the Stout Silver Medal, given in memory of Dr. Arlow Burdette Stout, who is considered to be the father of modern daylily breeding in North America"
Our collection has each winning daylily from 1950 (when the competition began) to the most recent winner. Our collection is best viewed in June when the Daylilies are in full bloom.
To learn more about The American Hemerocallis Society and Stout Daylily Winners, check out the links below:
