Stanley M. Rowe Arboretum

Stanley M. Rowe Arboretum is a botanical garden in Indian Hill covering about 9.75 acres with conifers and companion plants arranged in a structured landscape. The collection includes roughly 1,800 species of trees and shrubs, with major groups of pines, spruces, firs, and larches alongside flowering species like crabapples, magnolias, and beeches.

Stanley M. Rowe Sr. and Dorothy Snowden Rowe founded the arboretum in 1926, starting with Northern Red Oaks, European Larches, and various pine species. Over decades, their initial plantings grew into a comprehensive collection focused on conifers and supporting species.

The arboretum is recognized by the American Conifer Society as a reference garden for conifers, highlighting its role in displaying diverse needled trees from around the world. Visitors can observe how these species are arranged together to show their natural relationships and horticultural potential.

The arboretum is open seven days a week throughout the year, with longer hours in spring and summer and shorter hours in fall and winter. When planning a visit, consider that the grounds look quite different across seasons, especially during autumn color changes and spring growth.

The grounds hold a collection of crabapple and magnolia species that many visitors overlook when focusing on the conifer sections. This area adds seasonal color through flowering and shows how needled trees can be paired with blooming plants.