Ellwanger Garden

Ellwanger Garden is a botanical garden in Rochester featuring half an acre of perennials, trees, and shrubs arranged in carefully designed landscape compositions. The plantings are distributed across the property on Mount Hope Avenue with thoughtful spatial organization.

George Ellwanger created this garden in 1867 as part of his residential property and maintained it through family stewardship. It remained under family care until the early 1980s when it passed to new management.

Visitors come here especially during spring to see the lilac and peony collections that have become central to how locals experience the changing seasons. These plants mark important moments in Rochester's gardening calendar and bring the community together.

The garden is located on Mount Hope Avenue and can be reached by car, though advance arrangements are best for group visits. Spring is the best time to visit when the plantings are in full bloom.

Landscape architect Fletcher Steele redesigned portions of the grounds in the 1920s and 1930s, introducing architectural elements that shaped how spaces flow and connect. His work bridged the property's Victorian origins with contemporary design thinking.

Location: New York

GPS coordinates: 43.13770,-77.61510

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:22