Plants

The plants in the Recommended Lists from the Botanical Garden at the Cincinnati Zoo come from trials and usage in the urban/suburban, Midwest conditions of Zoo grounds and also from extensive observations of plants in public gardens and private gardens from around the region. We are very confident that usage of these plants in ordinary garden situations will result in good success, provided they are properly sited, planted, and maintained. To support the zoo’s horticultural mission by donating plants, money, or time, please contact us at [email protected].

To support the zoo’s horticultural mission by donating plants, money, or time, please contact us at [email protected]

Recommended Shrubs

Small Shrubs

Medium Shrubs

Large Shrubs

Recommended Trees

Small Trees

Medium Trees

Large Trees

Zoo’s Best Plants for Pollinators

Brochure 1 | Brochure 2

Zoo’s Best Annuals

Native Plants

Our Native Plant Program is the product of our long-standing interest in native flora. We are particularly focused on native plants that are valuable to horticulture. Our continuing collection of material, propagation work, and our conservation efforts with C.R.E.W, have given us many native plants to use and trial in our landscapes. Many of our gardens and exhibits, especially those associated with Eastern North American animal species, are composed entirely of native plants. The new Night Hunters habitat garden is one such native garden, as is the nearby garden that surrounds the Passenger Pigeon Memorial. The woodland plantings of Wolf Woods feature many native trees, and a host of native woodland understory species below. Additionally, the Education Center rain garden is entirely native. While these gardens are exclusively native by design, native plants are liberally planted throughout the entire Zoo, often in exhibits mimicking plants of exotic lands. This just hints at the rich diversity of native plants we are privileged to have here in Eastern North America.

Native Plant Program

Native Trees and Shrubs

Native Perennials

Native Plant Sale Sponsor:

Tulip Display

What could be more glorious than a 100,000-bulb tulip display? Each year the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden celebrates the arrival of spring with just such a welcome. Zoo Blooms and our garden party/concerts at Tunes & Blooms are part of the spectacle.