Best Urban Gardens In Hartford Near Me

4worldlovers:
The Helen S Kaman Rose Garden is the center of Elizabeth Park. It is the first municipal rose garden in the United States and the third largest rose garden in the country today. Theodore Wirth began the design of the Rose Garden in September of 1903, and it opened in June, 1904. The Rose Garden began with about 190 varieties of roses; this eventually grew to almost 1,000 by the 1950s. Today, the Conservancy oversees and manages the Rose Garden, and needs to raise over $100,000 annually for rose expertise, full-time summer gardeners, contractor services, and fertilizer, mulch, lime, and replacement roses.

The original main garden, the “square,” is an acre in size and has 132 rose beds. The logo of the Conservancy is patterned after the square. Mr. Wirth’s original design of a square with a center circle and eight pathways remains today. The North and South gardens, which are semi-circular sections, were added later to make up a total of 2.5 acres of roses, 475 beds, and eight grass pathways. The wide paths were designed to accommodate larger crowds.

There are over 15,000 rose bushes and 800 varieties of old and new roses in the garden. Featured are hybrid tea, climbers, hybrid perpetual, and floribunda, shrub, and pillar roses, among others. Ramblers grow on arches that radiate from the “gazebo,” or Rustic Summer House, which is covered in Virginia creeper. The gazebo was built in 1904 as a part of the original plan. In 2005, it was reconstructed with the original plans using red cedar.

Elizabeth Park's Rose Garden became the first official test garden in 1912 for the American Rose Society founded in 1892, with the idea to test and to provide accurate information about roses for the public. This is when the half-circular section of the garden was added on the south side of the main square. In 1937, the American Rose Society asked the Park to add another semi-circle, which completes the garden of 2.5 acres as it stands today.

The arches are in full bloom in mid-June into early July, and are just spectacular. They only bloom once. Many of the other roses in the garden continue to bloom until the fall. The Rose Garden, the gazebo, and the arches in the Park are probably the most photographed and painted subjects in the Park, and are a recognized symbol of Hartford.

4worldlovers: KNOX is an ever-growing coalition of residents, volunteers, corporate partners, and community organizations that actively support all of Hartford’s community members through horticulture and environmentally-centered programs.


For over 55 years, KNOX has been leading Hartford’s Green Scene. We are committed to building stronger, greener, healthier and more beautiful neighborhoods using horticulture-based programs and services. Learn more about KNOX’s environmental programs here and become a part of our Green Revolution!


With room for over 300 families to grow their own food and flowers, KNOX provides access to fresh local produce and beautiful green spaces.


Inspiring Hartford youth with greater understanding of local healthy food options.


Apprenticeships provide 16 weeks of professional skills training and career readiness to Hartford young adults.

Experiencing new ways to grow food for personal use or on a larger scale.

All KNOX events are open to ALL – members, volunteers, gardeners, and the public. All are welcome to build a greener, healthier and more beautiful Hartford!

4worldlovers:
Wickham Park is open 7 days a week from the first weekend in April through the last weekend in October. Find specific events under calendar. Regular Park hours are from 9:30AM to Sunset with the exception of Cabin functions until 11PM.

4worldlovers: Seven-week session starts October 24. View the schedule and register for classes now in the myCTState student information portal.