Elm Bank Horticulture Center

Elm Bank Horticulture Center is a botanical garden spread across 36 acres within a 175-acre area of woodlands and fields along the Charles River. The site houses an education building with classrooms, meeting spaces, and rotating art displays from local botanical illustrators.

The property received its name in 1740 when Colonel John Jones acquired the land and planted elm trees along the Charles River banks. The site later developed an Italianate garden following Frederick Law Olmsted's original design plans that remain to this day.

The gardens here reflect the work of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, which has shaped specialized areas based on classical design principles. Visitors can see how different garden styles coexist and define the landscape.

The site is easy to walk through and the woodlands provide shade along with natural paths for exploration. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore the gardens at a leisurely pace.

The Teaching Herb Garden uses a clock layout design that organizes different herb categories and their historical uses in an intuitive way. This arrangement helps visitors understand plant diversity through a memorable visual pattern.