The gardens are made up of several separate areas. The Sunken Garden is in the form of a traditional English garden. Surrounded by limestoneterraces and hedges, it contains an long reflecting pool – designed to connect the garden thematically with nearby Lake Monona. The Thai Garden contains the sala, which is joined to the gardens by a arched footbridge crossing Starkweather Creek. This garden has a shallow reflecting pool near the pavilion and is filled with small examples of Thai sculpture. The plants in this garden were carefully selected to give a tropical appearance to the garden in the summer, while choosing plants capable of surviving Wisconsin winters. A Rock Garden is constructed of a rocky hill, designed to simulate a mountain slope. Plants here are mostly conifers or alpine and two streams flow through it, forming a waterfall and small pond. Here again, a wooden footbridge crosses the stream. A Meadow Garden combines perennial grasses, wildflowers, and plants grown from bulbs. The grass in the meadow garden is mowed only once or twice a year. The small Wildflower Garden contains wildflowers, ferns, berries, and native trees and shrubs. An Herb Garden is a collection of smaller gardens of herbs separated by use; they include medicinal, dye, and kitchen herbs, as well as 'touch' and 'smell' gardens. A perennial garden displays perennials and three ponds, with a waterfall. Aquatic plants are displayed in the ponds. The Rose Garden is an ongoing project featuring more than 700 varieties and 125 rose cultivars, including hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras, and hardy shrub roses. The Starkweather Creek and Atrium Shade Gardens features a semicircular atrium and plants such as astilbes, hostas, lungwort, bishops' caps, and ferns. The Eunice Fisher Hosta Garden features hostas hybridized by Wisconsin-native, Eunice Fisher.
Bolz Conservatory
The Bolz Conservatory is a greenhouse housing over 750 plants representing over 70 families and over 550 different species and cultivars. The plants are native to tropical and sub-tropical regions. The structure itself is a glass pyramid measuring 100 by 100 ft and rising to 50 ft at the apex. The temperature is maintained between 65 and 80 degrees fahrenheit, although the sun may warm it to 100°F in the summer. The relative humidity is maintained at 70% or above. In addition to the tropical plants, the conservatory is home to species of birds including canaries, waxbills, diamond doves, Goldian finches and owl finches. There is also a koi pond, featuring koi and goldfish. Frogs, toads, and geckos are also present. While admission to Olbrich Botanical Gardens is free, a small fee is charged for entry into the conservatory.
