Visiting the Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin

The Rotary Botanical Gardens are located on 20 acres in Janesville, Wisconsin, and contain over 17 themed gardens.

The Visitor’s Center is where you will pay your entrance fee: Adults $9, 65+ $7, 6-15 years old $5, Military $6. You will also find a gift shop, bathrooms, water fountains, and meeting rooms, which are available to rent. The Visitor’s Center opens directly into the English Cottage Garden.

The Orienpet Lily flowers were in their prime! These were my favorite flowers in the English Cottage Garden.

Located next to the English Cottage Garden are the Italian and Herb Gardens. My visit was during late summer, so I missed the flowers at their peak. I plan on returning this year at the beginning of June to catch more flowers in full bloom.

The Italian Gardens lead right to the Formal and French Gardens. Every garden has many benches to sit down, relax and enjoy the view.

The Queen of the Prairie flowers edging these gardens were my favorite in this section. The fluffy, airy, pink flowers reminded me of Cotton Candy.

The Japanese Gardens are located to the right of the formal gardens. Here you will find shade, waterfalls, a small stream and manicured plants.

I got my first peak at the lake from the Japanese Gardens. Peaceful would be the word that best describes this section of the gardens.

The Fern and Moss Garden is located adjacent to the Japanese Garden.

On a hot day, this is one area of the park where you will find shade.

You can walk around a section of the lake. One side is lined with trees, the other is lined with different gardens. There are benches around the entire lake, so you can sit and enjoy the view.

On the tree lined side, you can walk up into the trees or stay along the shoreline. 

This gives you an idea of the size of the section of the lake that you are able walking around.

Even at late summer, the seasonal display garden still had a lot of blooms. I’m looking forward to my return visit to catch this garden earlier in the year. 

There was an abundance of lilies. I’m just sharing a few of my favorites. 

There must have been 50+ varieties of daylilies. 

So many colors! In my gardens I only have one type. I am considering changing that this year.

The next area you will wander into includes the Sunken Garden.

Everywhere you look, you are surrounded by beauty. 

I then worked my way back to the Children’s Garden.

The Children’s Garden is filled with sculptures, as well as, green space for running and playing.

The Children’s Garden leads back to another section of the lake. There are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the lake view. You can also bring in lunch or snacks and have a little picnic anywhere in the park.

This lake can also be accessed through Lion’s Beach, which is adjacent to the Gardens. Non motorized boats and fishing are allowed on the lake. 

This path leads to another spot where you can sit back and enjoy the lake.

One thing the park is known for is its Memorial Benches. Although the number is always growing, when I was there I took photos of 32 of them.

I am also a collector of quotes, so these benches really appealed to me.

I made a game of trying to find them all and photograph each one. I believe I was successful.

I’m including some of my favorites. I had a lot of favorites.

Libraries and gardens are two of my favorite things.

I was familiar with most of the quotes, but every once in awhile I found a new one that I liked.

Some additional information:

Parking is free.

You should allow at least two hours to wander leisurely through the park. I was there for a little under three hours. Next time, I plan on bringing a picnic lunch and a good book, along with my camera.

Hours vary by season, so check their website for current hours and double check the entrance fee.

The park is a non profit and does not receive any state funding. Their only income is generated by entrance fees, rental fees and donations. 

Photography is allowed; however, posed pictures require a fee.

Tours are offered, check their website for more information.

I’ve had a request to write about the gardens I have visited so next up will be Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago, Illinois, (indoors and out) followed by Lincoln Park Conservatory, Olbrich Botanical Gardens and Chicago Botanic Garden.

Botanic and Japanese Gardens are some of my favorite places to visit. If there is one within an hour of my travel destination I always make time to check them out. What is the most impressive botanic garden you have ever visited? As always, wishing you happy travels and fantastic adventures in this thing called life.

(All pictures are available as Fine Art Prints or Digital Downloads for purchase at full resolution, unwatermarked, through Alamy. If you see something you like, click on the link. If you are unable to find it, use the Contact Me page and I will make sure the image is available. (I do offer discount rates for fellow bloggers, contact me for more information.)

More Botanical Gardens

Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago

Garfield Park Conservatory ~ Chicago, Illinois

Desert Botanical Garden ~ Phoenix, Arizona

The Botanical Building in Balboa Park ~ California

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden ~ Hawaii

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