Featured

Plant label among purple flowers
Garden
Rejuvenated Alpine Garden Shines in Spring and Summer

At my feet, tiny golden brush strokes are painted atop the cheerfully lobed leaves of a Potentilla cranztii. I imagine I’m perched on a blustry ledge in the Central Highlands of Scotland, but as my...

three pink roses
Cultural Connection
How flowers express our tender emotions

Whether it is their lustrous colors, delicate beauty, or ability to create new life in a seed, flowers have acquired symbolic meanings in many cultures throughout history.

aerial view of the herb garden in bloom in summer
Garden
Robison Herb Garden Stuns in Summer 

This iconic garden shows off in the hottest months on the Cornell campus and brought its charms to the International Horticultural Exhibition in Chengdu, China.

Upcoming Events

Event
August 30, 2025: Botanic Gardens Saturday Highlights Tour at Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center

Tours are offered every Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m., June 14 through October 12. Pre-registration is not required. Take a relaxing stroll with a Garden Guide through the...

Event
August 31, 2025: Botanic Gardens Sunday Highlights Tour at Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center

Tours are offered every Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m., June 14 through October 12. Pre-registration is not required. Take a relaxing stroll with a Garden Guide through the...

Event
September 5, 2025: Guided Mindfulness Meditation with Let's Meditate at the Cornell Botanic Gardens at Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center

All are welcome to join this free, guided meditation session, led by Travis Winter, LCSW, in partnership with Cornell Botanic Gardens and the Nature Rx Initative. This...

Connecting plants and peoples for a world of diversity, beauty, and hope.

Land Acknowledgement

Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' (the Cayuga Nation), members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

a person kneeling in a garden
Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts

Cornell Botanic Gardens embraces and actively works to increase diversity among all the communities with which we engage.

Two students planting in the garden
News
Medicinal garden at Onondaga Nation School grows opportunity

Students in the Learning by Leading program engaged extensively with the Onondaga Nation School on native plants and design ideas.

Our Gardens and Natural Areas

We are responsible for the natural beauty of the Cornell University campus including cultivated gardens, an arboretum, and natural areas. Together these comprise one-third of campus, and with off-campus natural areas, a total of 3,600 acres.

Cascadilla and Fall Creek gorges in summer.
Butterfly resting on a white flower

What to see in summer

Summer is one of the best times to visit! Blooms can be found in many of our gardens and throughout the arboretum. Our natural areas offer ample opportunity to explore unique settings.