Boerner Botanical Gardens
Experience the beauty and wonder of Boerner Botanical Gardens, where vibrant plant displays and serene spaces invite you to connect with nature. Wander through the tulip-filled paths, watch koi glide gracefully in the Rose Garden pond, take in the brilliant blooms of the Peony Garden, and look for frogs hiding around Rock Garden waterfall. Ever-changing blooms and seasonal highlights ensure there’s always something new to see, reflecting the Gardens' commitment to connecting people, plants, and pollinators in a thriving, welcoming garden for all.
Find & Follow Us
9400 Boerner Dr, Hales Corners, WI 53130
Facebook, Boerner Botanical Gardens
Parking Available
Wheelchair Accessible
Gift Shop
Hours
- Access Botanical Gardens and Margie's Children's Garden through the Education & Visitor Center
- The Garden House is locked one hour before garden closing
- No dogs except service dogs performing tasks for a person with a disability
Nov. 1 through April 30: Garden Off-Season
- Monday through Friday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: Closed
May 1 through Aug. 31: Garden Season
- Sunday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sept. 1 through Oct. 31: Late Garden Season
- Daily: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission Fees
May 1 through Oct. 31
-
IDs required for discounts
| Daily Pass | County Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (age 18 to 59) | $9 | $10 |
| Senior (age 60+) | $6.50 | $10 |
| Junior (age 3 to 12) | $6.50 | $6.50 |
| Ages 0 to 2 | Free | Free |
| Adult Group of 20+ (per person) | $7 | $8 |
| Junior Group of 20+ (per person) | $5 | $5 |
| Student (of any age) | $6.50 | $6.50 |
| Military Veteran or Active Duty | $6.50 | $6.50 |
| Person with Disability | $6.50 | $6.50 |
| FBBG or AHS* Member | Free | Free |
*Note: Each AHS card will admit only the individual whose name is listed on the card and one other person. In the case of a family, couple, or household membership card that does not list individual names, the Botanical Gardens will admit a total of two of the members. A photo ID is required.
Garden Tours & Membership
Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens is an independent, non-profit group that supports Boerner Botanical Gardens through fundraising, educational programing and special events.
Friends of Boerner members receive free admission to Boerner Botanical Gardens as well as reciprocal admissions to over 300 American Horticultural Society gardens (www.ahsgardening.org)
Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens offers one-hour, educational, docent-guided tours to groups of 12 or more.
Explore the Garden Spaces
Themed garden spaces offer a succession of blooms from early spring through late fall. See something new each time you visit!
Near the Education & Visitor Center
- Butterfly Garden
- Fragrance Garden
- Terrace Garden
Deeper in the Botanical Gardens
- Annual Garden
- Bog Walk
- Daylily Path
- Herb Garden
- Heirloom Garden
- Peony Garden
- Perennial Mall
- Rainwater Harvest Path
- Rock Garden
- Rose Garden
- Rotary Path
- Shrub Mall
- Trial Garden
Margie’s Garden
This 3-acre, flower-themed garden features an "enchanted village" with a playhouse, fiddlehead path, twig hut and mushroom-chair rings. Additional spaces within Margie's Garden include a sound garden, secret garden, bug garden with friendly bug sculptures, a storybook nook, a pollinator garden, sunflower garden, and prairie and wildflower zones. Margie's Garden is an extension of the Boerner Botanical Gardens experience. Admittance is included in the cost of general admission. There is no additional fee to enter the children's garden space. Fees are managed, collected by, and support the Milwaukee County Parks.
The Trial Garden
In keeping with its educational mission, Boerner Botanical Gardens offers a Trial Garden featuring over 500 new varieties of plants. These plants are tested for their suitability for the Great Lakes region.
Education & Visitor Center
Stop at the Visitor Center to find unique items in the Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens Gift Shop.
Buy Personalized Bricks for Whitnall Rotary Circle at Boerner Botanical Gardens. Available in four sizes with pricing starting at $150, each paver is a meaningful way to leave a legacy and be part of the beauty and inspiration of the Gardens for years to come.
Concerts in the Garden
July & August
Enjoy a summer concert series, sponsored by Wimmer Communities, on Thursday evenings, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Food and beverages are available for purchase at the concerts.
China Lights Wisconsin
September & October
Brighten your autumn evenings with a visit to China Lights, on the grounds of Boerner Botanical Gardens. Enjoy illuminated scenes, live performances, cultural displays, and a bustling marketplace. Food and beverages are available for purchase at this family-friendly event.
Note: China Lights is not included in Free Admission Thursdays
Wedding Ceremonies & Event Rentals
Boerner Botanical Gardens is ideal for everything from an intimate wedding in the Annual Garden Gazebo to a large ceremony in the Shrub Mall. The historic Garden House can also be rented for use as a bridal room or an alternate ceremony site in case of inclement weather. Outdoor areas are available spring through fall and remain open to the public.
Rental & Permit Applications
Annual Garden Gazebo
The Annual Garden is a vibrant tapestry of thousands of blooming annuals, with colorful beds lining the grassy malls and flowering borders. Ornamental trees add elegance and charm, while a low, decorative wall of native glacial stone frames the space. Tucked along the wall, the traditional gazebo provides a picture-perfect setting for weddings and special celebrations, offering an intimate backdrop amid the dazzling colors and blooms of the garden.
Capacity: 30
Rock Garden Vista
In early spring, the Rock Garden is carpeted with Wisconsin wildflowers and the delicate blooms of Asian and European bulbs. As spring flows into summer, Japanese Primrose and Siberian Iris lead a parade of flowering perennials. Summer gives rise to a host of ferns, fragrant-flowered Japanese Hostas, and bright South American and African tropical flowers.
Capacity: 50
Rose Garden
Celebrate your wedding among the lush roses of the Rose Garden, with most ceremonies held under the charming arbor and guests seated along grassy aisles surrounded by blooms. A nearby koi pond and views beyond the garden create a serene and unforgettable setting.
Capacity: 200, larger events may expand into the Perennial Mall
Shrub Mall
The Shrub Mall evokes the elegance of an English country-estate garden, with a sweeping central lawn framed by graceful plantings making it an open setting perfect for special celebrations.
Capacity: 200
Boerner Garden House
Step into the enchanting Garden House, built in 1935 from native fieldstone, and discover a picturesque setting beside the colorful annual garden. The Exhibit Room features hand-carved animal motifs above the entrance, hand-hewn oak beams, elegant wooden furnishings, and a fireplace mantel inscribed with a verse by Alexander Pope. Renters are welcome to bring their own food, and admission to the Gardens is included in the rental price. Perfect for weddings, showers, and other special events, the Garden House offers a unique and memorable backdrop for any celebration.
Capacity: 45
Wedding Receptions
Rentals and catering are provided by ZILLI Hospitality Group. Contact ZILLI's for current rates at (262) 547-9447.
- Boerner Hall features large windows to let guests enjoy the view of the Fragrance Garden. Ideal for groups of up to 300 people.
- The Atrium features high ceilings and natural light. Ideal for groups of up to 150 people.
- The Garden Room is located off the Atrium and overlooks the Silver-Blue Garden. Ideal for groups of up to 96 people.
- Nell's Garden Cafe includes an outside terrace. Ideal for groups of up to 100 people.