Botanica, The Wichita Gardens was opened in 1987 as a collaboration between the Wichita Area Garden Council and the City of Wichita. Originally it had four gardens and now encompasses 17.6 acres (7.12 hectares) of botanical gardens located at 701 North Amidon, Wichita, Kansas, USA. They are city-owned as part of the Wichita Park System and are operated by Botanica, Inc. a non-profit 501(c)3.Arrange your visit to Botanica: The Wichita Gardens and discover more family-friendly attractions in Wichita using our Wichita tour itinerary planner.
The gardens include: an aquatic collection; butterfly garden and 2,880 square foot (270 m2) butterfly house featuring pansy exhibits during the winter; greenhouse for tropical plants; juniper collection with more than 30 types of junipers; peony collection of 104 cultivars; pinetum; rock garden with sedum and sempervivum; rose garden with more than 350 rose plants; sensory garden; Shakespearean garden; woodlands with azaleas, dogwoods, elm, hackberry, honey locust, mulberry, osage orange, and redbuds; and Xeriscape demonstration garden.
Botanica opened the Downing Children's Garden in July 2011 and features several themed areas including the monster woods, salamander stream, granddaddy's musical maze, a rainbow and sunflower fountain and plaza.
A new events center opened in 2014 which will hold 299 people in chairs or 240 at tables. The inspiration for it came from the wood-and-glass Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. “It’s not a church but it can give that feeling, particularly when you have something spiritual like a wedding. It has that ambience.” Botanica hosts more than 200 weddings a year, bringing in about 27 percent of its revenue, but it wasn't built with such rentals in mind.
In May 2014, it was announced the 1949 Allan Herschell Company carousel from the former Joyland Amusement Park was donated to the Botanica and would be placed in the Downing Children's Garden.
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Botanica: The Wichita Gardens reviews
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We are so lucky to have a great place visit for relaxation, a nice walk, a place to take kids, all good, very kind staff and beautiful trees and plants everywhere!
We are so lucky to have a great place visit for relaxation, a nice walk, a place to take kids, all good, very kind staff and beautiful trees and plants everywhere! more »
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A great place to walk around for an hour or two; it is excellent for kids; the flowers and scheduled programs are excellent
A great place to walk around for an hour or two; it is excellent for kids; the flowers and scheduled programs are excellent more »
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Great afternoon activity. There is plenty to see. It is a big space, so be prepared to do some walking. Wonderful foliage and it is well organized. Tons on beautiful plants and flowers. A reasonable price for a great family experience!
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This was an absolutely gorgeous spot. The admission isn't extremely expensive and the gardens seem to go on for forever. I loved that they set up a wellness walk that everyone can follow independently too. The animatronic insects were adorable to see throughout the garden and the best part was the troll under the hill. The butterfly exhibit is only open until 2 so we missed it, but honestly the rest of the garden makes up for it. Definitely a spot to see when you come through
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