Garvan Woodland Gardens, Botanical garden in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Garvan Woodland Gardens is a botanical garden covering 210 acres of woodland terrain along Lake Hamilton, with seasonal flower displays, walking trails, and collections of regional plants. The grounds include several themed sections such as Japanese-inspired gardens, waterfall features, and natural forest areas.
Verna Cook Garvan acquired the property in the 1920s and spent four decades developing it before donating to the University of Arkansas. This transfer to an institution ensured the site's long-term care and public accessibility for future generations.
The gardens showcase regional plant diversity through carefully designed sections that reflect how people connect with local nature. Each area represents a different landscape tradition, from Japanese-inspired spaces to native forest settings.
The gardens are easy to explore on foot, with maintained paths leading through different sections and most areas accessible to visitors. Wear comfortable shoes and plan enough time to see the seasonal displays depending on what interests you most.
The property is home to several rare plant species from the Ouachita Mountains found nowhere else in the region. This collection makes the site an important refuge for regional plants.
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