Botanical Events & Plant Sales

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden began as a Zoological Garden in 1875. Our commitment to beautiful gardens remains just as strong. With a dedication to a great diversity of plants, Zoo guests enjoy thousands of accessioned plants through the seasons, along with the comfort and color they provide and the many pollinators and birds they attract. Through outreach, the Zoo’s Horticulture Team works hard to share their plant knowledge and experience to the green industry and home gardeners.

Get updates for new programs and events!

(Photo: Lisa Hubbard)

Sustainable Urban Landscapes Symposium

Our 12th Sustainable Urban Landscapes Symposium will feature very popular expert speakers, and, frankly, some of our all-time favorites. You will enjoy a fun day of learning from Joseph Tychonoviech, Andrew Bunting, Meredith Simpson, Jerome Stenger, Samuel Moore, and Megan Philpott from the Cincinnati Zoo. CEUs available (CEUs approved for ONLA 1, PGMS 1, APLD 5.25, ISA 7, ASLA 7; NALP still pending). Lunch included, followed by social hour with cash bar.

In-Person Registration Virtual Registration

Dates: March 16,2023
Time: 8:50am-5:00pm. Doors open at 8:00am

Location: In-Person: Harold C Schott Education Building, Frisch’s Theater. Virtual via Zoom

Note: Symposium will be recorded and available to all registered participants through April 30, 2023.

Landscaping for the Homeowner (virtual)

Join us for our 5-week virtual series of lectures regarding all aspects of landscaping for the homeowner by one of the region’s top horticulturists and the zoo’s Director of Horticulture, Steve Foltz. If you are planning on garden renovation or a new installation in your landscape these classes provide great insight on design, preparation and plant selection with emphasis on plants that do best in the Tri-state area. A different aspect of landscaping is covered each week such as perennial design and tree care, but one way or another everything is covered!

NonMember Registration Member Registration

MORE DETAILS

Dates and Time: Wednesdays, February 8, 15, 22, March 1, and 8 @ 7:00-9:00pm
Cost:$75 non-member/$60 member
Location: This is a virtual program through Zoom.
Notes: You will receive a confirmation with a link to register with Zoom. You must register to receive your unique link and reminder emails.

See our FAQs below for more information.

Class Topics

February 8: Design for Your Landscape
- This class provides concepts for proper plant selection and siting within landscapes and gardens. It will introduce how various types of plants serve different aesthetic and functional roles. It will also guide the homeowner on how to prioritize projects and plantings for long-term beauty.
February 15: The Best Trees and Shrubs for your Landscape
- Trees and shrubs are the anchors of your landscape and long-term investments for both beauty and function. Choosing them wisely is paramount to your enjoyment of your garden. Steve will share his long experience of growing hundreds of species and selections, which will quickly usher you to the other side of the learning curve!
February 22: Bringing in Color, Annuals, and Perennials
- Everyone wants to add color to the garden! This class will give you the knowledge and tools to do it well. Guidance on plant selection, siting, planting, care, and much, much more will have you filled with ideas and energy for spring.
March 1: Now that I Have It, How Do I Take Care of It?
- So much internet, so much bad information. Bad gardening advice is everywhere. This class cuts through all that and provides good, practical knowledge based on science and many, many years of experience.
March 8: Putting It All Together.
- A review, a wrap up, a confidence session, a chance to ask your remaining questions, and much, much more, this session closes the series with a flourish and will have you feeling excited about implementing all your new ideas.

Emergence: Ceramic Art Exhibition

Starting March 15, 2023, “Emergence”, a ceramic art exhibition showcasing both sculptural and functional ceramic arts will be highlighted in the main floral garden display located near the zoo entrance. Several artists attending The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Conference will be featured. See some of the ceramic art in the gardens for about 3-4 months!

Native Plant Sale at Bowyer Farm 2023

The 2023 Native Plant Sale dates are here! Located at the Zoo’s Bowyer Farm (2210 Mason Montgomery Road, Lebanon, OH), these sales offer a wide selection of reasonably priced, well-grown, hard to find, and ecologically important native plants.

Native plants, including ones found throughout the Bowyer Farm ecosystem, will be for sale. The preferred payment for all sales is credit card.

MORE DETAILS

Dates: April 29, May 13, May 27, September 9, September 23 & October 7, 2023
Time: 9:00am-3:00pm
Location: Bowyer Farm, 2210 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 45040
Accepted Payment: credit cards preferred

Native Plant Sale Sponsor:

Annual Events

February - Landscaping for the Homeowner Series

A late winter 5-week series of lectures regarding all aspects of landscaping for the homeowner by one of the region’s top horticulturists and the zoo’s Director of Horticulture, Steve Foltz. If you are planning on garden renovation or a new installation in your landscape these classes provide great insight on design, preparation and plant selection with emphasis on plants that do best in the Tri-state area. A different aspect of landscaping is covered each week such as perennial design and tree care, but one way or another everything is covered! Perfect for the beginning and advanced gardener.

March - Sustainable Urban Landscapes

The concepts of “going green” have come down on the green and building industries in a big way in recent years and a lot of argument over the meaning of sustainability and the means of achieving it has ensued. This program is designed to sort out fact from fiction regarding such issues as soils, irrigation, and the very best low input plants for landscape applications. CEUs available. Affordably priced. Includes lunch.

April - Tunes and Blooms

The saturated colors and sun-catching glow of masses and masses of tulips in bloom is a truly spectacular experience. Zoo Blooms delivers not only the region’s largest tulip display, but also hundreds of trees and shrubs in full regalia. Magnolias, cherries, crabapples, serviceberries, viburnums, other bulbs, loads of perennials, and more all in their spring glory! Generally the best tulip display is around the middle of April, but the peak varies somewhat according to the weather. Each week all through spring the landscape continuously changes as the many plants of our extensive collection come into bloom. You need to visit several times to experience the fullness of the season! Free with admission to the Zoo.

August - Plant Trials Day

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden horticultural staff and volunteers, in conjunction with several other organizations, conducts plant trials on annuals, grasses, and perennials in accordance with regimented protocols. Such trials enable us to develop useful data for gardeners, other public gardens, plant producers, and others in the green community. For more information regarding our Plant Trials programs, please contact us at [email protected].

November - Native Plant Symposium

The annual all day symposium about native plants. Great outside speakers along with the zoo’s Native Plant Program Manager, Brian Jorg. CEUs available. Affordably priced. Includes lunch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What platform are you using for virtually viewing CZBG horticultural symposiums?

We will be using Zoom as our platform for each program.

How does this work?

When you register, you will receive an email confirmation and this confirmation will include a link to a Sharepoint folder.

Can I watch the symposium later?

Yes. Both in-person and virtual registrants will receive a link to a recording of the symposium. This link will stay active for 30 days after symposium.

Can virtual participants see me during the program?

Can other participants see me during the program?

Virtual Horticulture Programs will be a presentation, so registrants will only be able to see the hosts and not be visible to other registrants.

Will I be able to ask questions during the programs?

Usually the speakers use all of their time during their presentations. If there is time available for Q&A, it will be minimal and priority will go to those in the room. You can make comments and ask questions in the chat box to the side. If our staff are able to answer questions during the programs, we will.