Garden of the Five Senses
A walk through the whimsical Garden of the Five Senses is a journey of discovery and fun. Designed for all ages, visitors can engage in nature in unique ways as they explore the sights and sounds of the woodlands. The paved pathway links together zones, each one focusing on a different sense. This garden was designed with key elements to be accessible and friendly to all, including individuals on the autism spectrum.
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Heritage Homestead
Early European settlers’ life is reflected on this site demonstrating human interaction with the land beginning in late 1700s. The connection with plants and animals was very important for the day-to-day existence of these people.
Features include Ewing Walker Glass Log House, Heritage Apple Orchard and Chicken Coop.
Hillside Pollinator Garden
Stroll along the path to view the curated cultivars of native plants which provide year-round beauty for pollinators and humans. The Overlook provides a restful, sunny spot to relax and watch the bees work.
Margaret Lawrence Simon Dogwood Meadow
Over time this important landscape feature has evolved from woodlands, to farming with the growing of crops and grazing of cattle, to it’s current use as a meadow. This ecosystem, different from other woodland areas on the property, provides a unique environment for visitors to discover insects and native sun-loving plants. Surrounding the meadow is a naturally occurring population of more than 500 native Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood) trees.
Features include Highmark Gazebo, and Apiary.
Plant Spotlight: Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)
Allegheny Plateau Woodland
This woodland area highlights trees, shrubs and herbaceous plant species native to the Allegheny Plateau, the ecoregion where Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is located. Included in this region is Southwestern Pennsylvania, Southeastern Ohio, Western West Virginia and Northeastern Kentucky. Plants found here can be grown by home gardeners who live in this ecoregion.
Features include: Giant Bird Nest
Plant Spotlights:
Asian Woodland
This feature of Pittsburgh Botanic Garden highlights a developing Japanese Garden sited on a rolling hillside. The Lotus Pond and its innovative water filtering system, which neutralizes acid mine drainage, provide a beautiful water feature. Planted in this woodland are plants native to the Asian continent that are closely related to North American species.
Features include Lotus Pond.
Plant Spotlight – Hakonechloa macra (Japanese Forest Grass or Hakone Grass)
European Woodland
The temperate region of northern Europe provides similar growing conditions as are found in northern North America. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is developing this woodland area to display woodland & ornamental plants that can grow successfully in our region. Wood chips paths lead visitors to features found along the way.
Features include Hermit Hut and Bookworm Glenn.
