The Upper Bur Oak Garden derives its name from the Bur Oak tree that stands in the center of the Garden's entrance. Found on the main garden path, this large garden presents itself in two themes. One of the goals is to represent small trees and hedge shrubs that perform in the Midwest climate. In this garden you’ll find small trees suitable for the home landscape, such as the Cockspur Hawthorne (Crataegus crusgalli), Wayfaringtree Viburnum (Viburnum lantana) or the Weeping Crabapple tree (Malus). Hedge shrubs like Korean Boxwood (Buxus koreana) or the Alpine Currant (Ribes alpinum) are used in the garden. There are evergreen shrubs hedges to be found also, like Anglojap Yew or the Japanese Yew (Taxus x media and Taxus cuspidata).   

The Lower Bur Oak Garden features a massive grape arbor looking out onto Gold Pond. It offers a cool respite on a warm day. Containers overflowing with flowers offer colorful highlights around the arbor.

Both of these Bur Oak Gardens also provide a showcase area for our famous annual flower displays. With over 150,000 annual flowers in 40 large and small flowerbeds, you’ll find the latest varieties, as well as some old favorites, displayed in fresh, new designs each year.