Walking through the Garden can work up a sweat, trust us, we know. Our 87-acres and 5 miles of trails can have you walking around for hours taking it all in. Thankfully many of our trails are pretty shady thanks to he Garden’s lush landscape. But if you find yourself in need of a little shade next time you’re visiting the Garden, remember these spots and head to the nearest one. 

The Pollination Garden 

Our new Pollination Garden opened July 1 and with it came new shade sails. These sails are placed above chairs and benches creating the perfect spaces to enjoy the sounds of the nearby pond and take in the Garden’s beauty.


 

Dorothy and Allen Lay Staghorn Fern Collection 

The large trees in the Dorothy and Allen Lay Staghorn Fern Collection create a canopy of shade over the seating area below. This area is right across the way from SOAR-Tropical Butterflies and is a great spot to cool off after being in the butterfly pavilion. While the butterflies love the hot summer sun, we, humans, need a break from it. This area is also right next to Dottie’s, the Garden’s concession station, where you can get a nice cold drink and snack to enjoy in the shade. Dottie’s opened Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.


 

Banyan Grove

Banyan Grove

The trees of the Banyan Grove have massive limbs and many leaves to provide an umbrella of shade. This area is consistently a couple degrees cooler than the rest of the Garden and is a fun place to explore.


 

Japanese Garden

The closest garden to the entrance, the Japanese Garden, has ample shade and the sound of the koi pond provides a cooling relief as well. To top it off, the Japanese Garden is next to the Fuchsia Garden which also has ample shade so you can visit both areas while seeking relief from the hot sun.


 

The Tropical Garden

If you want to continue your walk in some shade then make sure to visit the Tropical Garden. The lush scenery provides plenty of shade for the paths. As the day goes on, the seats in the neighboring Amphitheater receive shade as well making it a great place to rest. Especially stunning when the trumpet trees or cherry blossoms are blooming, this is one of our favorite areas whether we’re seeking shade or not. You can also move into the Amphitheater Lawn for additional shady spaces and to take in a new beautiful view.


 

Garden for the Senses

This Garden is easily missed, but if you walk into it from Tram Road you’ll find a pathway that leads you to an oasis of shade. The Garden for the Senses consistently has shade in the front half while the back half gets shade as the day goes on. Take a rest and use your senses to cool yourself down by sitting on one of the benches, breathing in some fresh cool air and looking at the pretty flowers. 


 

Shade Tree off Tram Road 

This is another spot that is a little tricky to find. This shade tree is located along Tram Road at the corner of Mesquite Road and the Service Yard. This spot is farther into the Garden making it a great pit stop for anyone who needs a quick rest before continuing their walk.


 

Our Meadows

Depending on the time of day, most of our meadows offer plenty of shade, especially the Upper Meadow, Hidden Meadow, Lower Meadow, and Amphitheater Lawn (mentioned above). They usually also have a bench or space for a picnic blanket making them especially good if you need a place to sit or lie down for a minute.


The Garden has re-imagined new spaces to incorporate more shade and comforts. Please help us continue by considering a gift to the Garden. You can do so here.