Lauritzen Gardens - Omaha Botanical Gardens

The Lauritzen Gardens are also known as the Omaha Botanical Gardens and include a four-acre arboretum and bird sanctuary and a number of landscaped garden areas. The 32,000 square foot visitor’s center incorporates an extensive horticultural library and a 5,000 square foot floral hall that hosts three major flower shows each year as well as educational facilities including two classrooms. Constant additions and updates keep the Lauritzen Gardens fresh and interesting to visitors; in 2008, for instance, over 150,000 guests toured the grounds and gardens.

Originally established in 1982, the Lauritzen Gardens offer Omaha residents a chance to stroll through traditional gardens, explore the urban arboretum, and enjoy the annual flower shows in the floral exhibition hall. Featured gardens include the Song of the Lark Meadow, devoted to native Nebraska wildflowers, the Garden of the Glen featuring waterfalls, a stream, and still pools of water, and an exquisite Victorian garden. The Children’s Garden offers local youth the chance to do some hands-on gardening and harvesting in a kid-friendly environment. Weddings, family get-togethers, and local horticultural events are often held in the Festival Garden, which is available for public rental. The Model Railroad Garden is a unique addition to the Lauritzen Gardens, with seven model trains running on four separate lines throughout the horticultural exhibits on display.

Seven different regions are represented in the four-acre arboretum and bird sanctuary. Prairie, marsh, flood plain, windbreak, oak hickory forest, maple linden forest, and savannah plantings are featured in separate sections of the arboretum, while bird feeders and nesting boxes are located throughout the area. Two exquisite sculptures grace the arboretum; “End of Day” portrays sand hill cranes, while “Sunflowers, Snowbirds & Lizards” is a depiction of feeding snowbirds. The Lauritzen Gardens offer a peaceful retreat from the urban environment of downtown Omaha for tourists and residents alike.