Wellesley College Botanic Gardens

Wellesley College Botanic Gardens is a large garden area on campus featuring thousands of plant species displayed across outdoor grounds, greenhouses, and a visitor center. The site includes several specialized sections that represent different climates and plant types from around the globe.

The gardens were founded in 1906 and have remained a center for research and learning since their creation. A greenhouse from the 1920s is still part of the site today, showing how the place has developed over time.

The gardens serve as a meeting place where students, researchers, and visitors come together to learn about plants from different regions of the world. Educational activities here focus on showing people how plants grow and why they matter.

Plan your visit for weekends or specific weekdays, as access varies throughout the year and by section. The site is large, so wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water if you plan to spend several hours exploring.

One special area called the Edible Ecosystem works as an experimental food forest where visitors can see new ways of growing plants in sustainable systems. This section shows how different plant species work together to create a working ecosystem.

Inception: 1906

GPS coordinates: 42.29500,-71.30400

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:42