How many acres is Botanica?
With the recent addition of the Koch Carousel Gardens, Botanica is now about 20 acres with more room to expand. Walking through the gardens is about a 1-mile loop.
How long does it take to walk through the gardens?
Strolling through Botanica at a leisurely pace will take approximately 60 to 90 minutes.
Can we leave the garden and come back the same day?
Yes! Just hold onto your receipt and present it at the admissions window when you return.
How many plants do you have?
Botanica has over 4,000 species of plants, including 125,000 daffodils, 10,000 pansies, 63,000 tulips, 25,000 summer annuals, 5,500 chrysanthemums, and so much more.
When is the best time to visit Botanica for the most blooms?
There is always something wonderful to see in the gardens, including tulips, irises, azaleas, daylilies and peonies in spring; roses, annuals, wildflowers and water lilies in summer; asters, liriope, sedum and chrysanthemums in fall; and pansies, berried hollies, witch hazel, snowdrops and nandina in winter.
What are some things I should be sure to see in the gardens?
We have 30 unique gardens, each with something special to see. Some of our other favorites include the Downing Children’s Garden, Koch Carousel Gardens, DeVore Family Game Garden, Chinese Garden of Friendship, Cox Butterfly House, Shakespeare Garden and Gene E. Spear Railroad Garden. See https://botanica.org/gardens/ for more info.
How many sculptures do you have?
There are over 50 sculptures, topiaries and works of art throughout Botanica, ranging from “Shakespeare’s Bust” (installed 1988) to the “Mosquito Hawk” dragonfly located in the Downing Children’s Garden (installed 2011). Be sure to check out the Sleeping Troll Hill as well as Murphy the Shaggy Dog topiary in our newest garden, the Koch Carousel Gardens. For more information about the sculptures and artwork at Botanica, check out https://botanica.org/gardens/
What is the garden etiquette for Botanica?
- Please respect the plant displays as you would other works of art.
- One-Finger Rule: You may touch the flowers, plants and trees with one finger. This protects our plants from damage.
- Keep fingers, food and objects out of the ponds.
- Stay on pathways and grassy areas.
- No running through the garden.
- Please do not stand or walk in garden beds or climb on trees or shrubs.
- Do not pick flowers.
- Do not take or harm any of the wildlife (this includes feeding squirrels).
- Supervise children at all times to ensure their safety.
- Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Trained service animals are welcome, but no pets.
- Place all trash and recyclables in the appropriate containers.
Can I get in the ponds or streams at Botanica?
You may not get in the Botanica ponds, but guests are allowed to play in the Salamander Spring & Stream in the Downing Children’s Garden.
Do you offer guided tours?
Yes. Group tours, Behind the Scenes tours and specialty tours, like the carousel tour and bee & honey tasting tours are offered. Tours must be scheduled in advance. For more info please visit https://botanica.org/education/tours/
When is the best time to see butterflies at Botanica?
The Cox Communications Butterfly House typically has butterflies each year from June-September: https://botanica.org/butterfly-pansy-house/ Butterflies may be found outside in the gardens spring-fall with monarchs migrating through in mid-late September. Botanica also sometimes has monarch tagging experiences in the fall.
When is the train garden open?
The Gene E. Spear Railroad Garden usually begins running regular gardens hours from late March through October, and also during Illuminations evenings https://botanica.org/gene-e-spear-railroad-garden/
Where are the restrooms?
There are restrooms located inside the main building lobby and in Lotus Hall. There are also restrooms near the Downing Children’s Garden Meadow, in the Downing Children’s Garden Party Barn and in the carousel building.
Is Botanica handicap accessible?
Botanica is open to everyone and provides opportunities designed to accommodate people with limited mobility, such as wheelchair users. Botanica features accessible parking spots, accessible sidewalks throughout the garden, wheelchairs and scooters available to check out, accessible restrooms, a "sensory" wall of herbs to smell, and a wheelchair-accessible chariot on the new Khicha Family Carousel.
Do you have a wheelchair or scooter I can check out?
Yes, please ask for a wheelchair at the lobby information desk and the volunteers will check one out to you. There are also 2 scooters available for checkout. These are available on a first come, first served basis. There is no charge to check out a wheelchair or scooter, but we ask that you leave your ID at the information desk until the wheelchair or scooter is returned.
Can my child bring their skateboard, bicycle or scooter?
Unfortunately no. For the care of our plants and safety of guests, we do not allow bikes, scooters, skates, skate-shoes, skateboards, hoverboards, or Segways. Motorized scooters for mobility assistance are allowed.
Do you allow dogs or pets?
Only trained service animals are allowed in the gardens. See below for clarification on the admission of service animals into the garden.
Is my service animal allowed in the gardens?
Yes! Though Botanica does not allow pets, service animals are permitted in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) during operating hours. However, this does not include comfort or emotional support animals. Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless these devices interfere with the animal’s work or your disability prevents using the devices. The animal must be under your control at all times and stay on the paths. You are also responsible for prompt removal and disposal of waste in designated trash receptacles.
Is there drinking water available?
Yes, there are drinking fountains and water bottle filling stations available in the main building and in the carousel building. Bottled water is also available for sale behind the admissions desk and in the carousel building. During the summer there are also drinking fountains available in Downing Children’s Garden.
Can I smoke in the gardens?
No, smoking (including e-cigarettes) is prohibited inside the gardens. There is a smoking area available by a bench in the main parking lot.
Can I bring my own food or drink into the gardens?
Yes, you may bring your own food and drink into the gardens. Please just be clean and distribute trash and recyclables in the appropriate containers.
Can I bring alcohol into the gardens?
During regular garden hours you may bring alcohol into the gardens if you are 21 or over. However, you may not bring your own alcohol to special events where there is an alcohol vendor present. Please be respectful of other guests and dispose of your drink when you are done.
Can I have a picnic in the gardens?
Yes, you may bring your own picnic into the gardens. Please just clean up after yourselves.
Do you allow photography in the gardens?
Yes, photography is allowed at the general admission rate, but please be respectful of other garden guests.
Will my picture be taken during my visit?
Botanica, the Wichita Gardens, is a facility that hosts various social events where photographs, videos, and audio recordings may occur. All persons entering the Botanica premises consent to the use of their photograph, video, image, voice, and/or likeness for promotion of such events in any and all media and on any and all advertising platforms, in perpetuity, without remuneration.
Do you offer admission discounts?
Yes, Botanica offers various discounts for seniors, military, youth and groups including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Wichita’s Littlest Heroes, Blue Star Museums, Boys & Girls Club, TOPS, Rainbows United, KETCH, Title 1 Schools, AmeriCorps, Communities in Schools, Fundamental Learning Center, Arts Partners and Bank of America cardholders. In addition to discounts for these organizations, we can also work with your company on a partnership with your support or sponsorship for an event or the general gardens and in return, discounted or complimentary passes for events or for general garden admission.
Do I have to pay for parking?
No, parking at Botanica is FREE. If the parking lot is full, you may park on the street along Amidon or Murdock. During special events that include South Gate entrance, there is free parking in the new River’s Edge parking lot west of Cowtown.
Is Botanica a reciprocal garden?
Yes, as part of the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admissions Program, Botanica is among 330+ gardens throughout North America that allows free admission to people who have a membership at any of the fellow reciprocal gardens. For more info, check out: https://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/rap/
Does the gardens have Wi-Fi internet access?
Yes, we do have a Wi-Fi connection in our main building. For the password, please ask the volunteers at the information desk. We are also working on creating a wireless connection throughout the entire gardens.
What happens if there is inclement weather?
There is not a safe shelter at Botanica during a tornado warning. If there is a tornado watch, Botanica will notify and warn guests. If there is a tornado warning, the gardens will close down and guests will be asked to evacuate and head to their personal shelters.
Can you contribute to Botanica and have your name or a loved one’s name placed on something in the garden?
Yes, there are many ways to donate. You can donate to the general gardens or there are specific areas you can focus your donation on such as the Cox Butterfly House, Alexander Bee House, Downing Children’s Garden, etc. Many contributions can be part of a naming opportunity such as benches, bricks, signage, etc. Visit the donate page on our website at www.botanica.org/donate/ or contact Jamee Ross at JRoss@botanica.org.
What items do you have in your gift shop?
The Botanica gift shop sells clothing, garden utensils, books, greeting cards, honey, snacks, jewelry, décor, toys, puzzles, souvenirs, seasonal items and more. The gift shop is open regular garden hours. You don’t need to pay admission if you are just visiting the gift shop, but you must if you plan to also visit the gardens.
How do I ride the carousel?
The Khicha Family Carousel costs $3 to ride. Just buy your token at the admissions desk, token machine in the carousel building or in the gift shop. From April-October the carousel is typically open Mondays-Saturdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays 1-5 p.m., as well as Tuesday and Thursday evenings 5-8 p.m. from April-October. The carousel is also open during Illuminations and limited hours in February-March. Please visit the hours page for up-to-date information. There is even a handicapped-accessible chariot so everyone can ride the carousel!
Can I feed the fish?
Yes, you may feed the koi from spring through fall using the fish food available at the fish food machines available by the koi ponds. Please don’t touch the fish.
Do you answer gardening questions?
While you’re in the gardens, please feel free to ask any garden-related questions to our garden staff. Sedgwick County Master Gardeners may also be able to help: https://www.sedgwick.k-state.edu/gardening-lawn-care/