The third largest garden under glass in the world, Garfield Park Conservatory is a national botanical treasure, spanning 12 acres of indoor & outdoor gardens. The garden continues the urban oasis legacy of founder Jens Jensen, who believed that “the country must come to the city”.
At 65 ft high and 90 ft wide, the Palm House is the largest room in the Conservatory. It is designed as an idealized tropical landscape, featuring more than 70 graceful palms, as well as other plants from warm habitats all around the world. The Desert House holds one of the region’s most varied collections of cacti and succulents.
Jens Jensen, who designed the Conservatory in 1906, wanted to give visitors a glimpse of what Illinois might have looked like millions of years ago, so he created the Fern Room. Lush ferns, rocky outcroppings and an indoor lagoon evoke the swampy landscape of prehistoric Chicago.
The 10 acres of outdoor gardens include the City Garden, Demonstration Garden, Sensory Garden, Artist’s Garden and much more.
In addition to the permanent display houses featuring gorgeous landscape architecture, the garden hosts a variety of art exhibits and installations by Chicago-based artists, community members, and Conservatory staff.
Credit: Overview from venue website