National Public Gardens Week

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: Activities Awareness Environment
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Week beginning the Friday before Mother's Day
Holiday emoji:: 🌳

National Public Gardens Week blooms every May, beginning the Friday before Mother’s Day, to celebrate and raise awareness for North America’s diverse public gardens. Explore botanic gardens, arboreta, zoos, and historic landscapes across the continent. Discover the vital role these green spaces play in conservation, education, and community enrichment. Plan a visit to your local public garden and connect with nature!

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Expected National Public Gardens Week Deals

As National Public Gardens Week approaches, expect public gardens, arboreta, and botanical centers across North America to roll out special events, educational programs, and membership drives. Many institutions, such as the American Public Gardens Association, will highlight their conservation efforts and invite the public to support their work through donations or volunteer opportunities. Look for local gardens to offer discounted admission, guided tours, and workshops on horticulture, sustainability, and local flora. Retailers like The Home Depot and Lowe’s may feature promotions on gardening supplies, while local nurseries could host plant sales benefiting public garden initiatives. We will update this page with confirmed live events and programs as May approaches.

Platform Guide for National Public Gardens Week

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #PublicGardensWeek. Share stunning photos of your favorite public gardens, highlighting their unique flora and serene landscapes.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #PublicGardensWeek. Post about local garden events, educational programs, and conservation efforts in your community.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #PublicGardensWeek. Share facts about the importance of public gardens for biodiversity, research, and urban greening.

National Public Gardens Week Hero

Charles Sprague Sargent

Charles Sprague Sargent (1841–1927) was a prominent American botanist and horticulturist, best known as the first director of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. He played a pivotal role in developing the arboretum into a world-renowned center for woody plant research and conservation, significantly influencing the design and purpose of public gardens in North America.

History of National Public Gardens Week

The word ‘garden’ refers to a small enclosed area of land, usually adjoining a building, commonly referred to as a yard in the U.S. It is usually a planned space set aside for the cultivation, display, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature and often incorporates both natural and artificial materials in their surroundings. The first notable event related to gardening in the U.S. was the founding of the American Public Gardens Association — the leading professional organization for the field of public horticulture that works together with members and other organizations to strengthen and shape public horticulture by providing the tools and support needed to plants creatively and sustainably. They were formerly known as the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta.

The American Public Gardens Association initiated National Public Gardens Week in 2009, in partnership with a large gardening supply company, called Rain Bird, as a way to increase public awareness of the educational resources public gardens provide to local communities. It aims to highlight programs about important topics such as plant conservation, water conservation, the preservation of green spaces, and home gardening.

The organization’s members include botanic gardens, arboreta, zoos, museums, colleges and universities, display gardens, and research facilities, all of which are expected to unveil projects that emphasize their importance and effort as community connoisseurs and catalysts for environmental change throughout the week.

National Public Gardens Week timeline

1933

The Rain Bird Corporation is Formed

The Rain Bird Corporation, founder of National Public Gardens Week together with the American Public Gardens Association, is established.

1940

The A.P.G.A is Founded

The American Public Gardens Association is founded.

2009

National Public Gardens Week is Initiated

National Public Gardens Week is first initiated as the National Public Gardens Day holiday in 2009.

2010

Federal Support is Sought

In 2010, Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois addresses the U.S. Senate about the importance of recognizing the week.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Public Gardens Week

Local businesses can celebrate National Public Gardens Week by sponsoring a specific garden program or exhibit, offering discounts to garden members, or hosting workshops on plant care and sustainable landscaping. Nurseries and garden centers can run special promotions on plants and tools, highlighting the importance of biodiversity and native species. Restaurants could feature dishes with locally sourced ingredients, acknowledging the connection between healthy ecosystems and food production. Encourage employees to volunteer at a local public garden or organize a company-wide visit to foster appreciation for green spaces.

National Public Gardens Week FAQs

When is National Public Gardens Week?

National Public Gardens Week 2027 is observed from Friday, May 7, through Sunday, May 16. This annual observance highlights the vital role these green spaces play in conservation and community well-being.

How many public gardens are there in North America?

The American Public Gardens Association represents more than 600 member institutions, with hundreds more operating independently. These gardens serve as living museums, research centers, and vital community green spaces.

What is the economic impact of public gardens?

Beyond their cultural and environmental value, public gardens are economic engines, supporting thousands of jobs and attracting visitors who spend money in local communities. Their impact extends to property values, urban greening, and public health.

What is the difference between a botanical garden and an arboretum?

A botanical garden typically cultivates a broad range of plant species from around the world, often organized by climate or region, whereas an arboretum is specifically dedicated to the cultivation and study of trees. Many institutions combine elements of both, offering extensive collections of both herbaceous and woody plants.

How to Observe National Public Gardens Week

Visit a local garden
One way to celebrate National Public Gardens Week is to visit a nearby garden and participate in its array of scheduled activities. It should give you an idea of the areas that the organization wants help in and provide a direction for you to help raise awareness.
Volunteer at a local
Offer to volunteer at a local garden as a way to celebrate. You can also serve as the needed expertise in the organization and work to help them reach their goals quickly.
Encourage participation online
Perhaps the most notable way to celebrate is to help spread the word about the cause and persuade people online to observe it. Use #NationalPublicGardensWeek and tag popular influencers who appreciate and love beautiful spaces so that they can share your post and increase its reach.

5 Important Facts About National Public Gardens Week

The A.P.G.A changed its name
The American Public Gardens Association was formerly the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta.
Thousands of members in different countries
The American Public Gardens Association has more than 10,000 members in the United States and 20 other countries, including Canada.
Free admission into most public gardens
Public gardens often celebrate National Public Gardens Week with free admissions on the day it starts.
Fundraising during National Public Gardens Week
It serves as a fundraising event for some public gardens.
Straight out of Pennsylvania
The American Public Gardens Association is a Pennsylvania-based non-profit organization.

Why National Public Gardens Week is Important

To syndicate support
National Public Gardens Week shines a light on the areas in which public gardens need help and support from the public. In most cases, garden operators run as non-profits that rely on funding from the community's generosity to continue to run. It’s an opportunity for garden operators to seek the support they need.
To highlight its role in our society
Public gardens provide local communities with access to educational resources. These educational resources teach water conservation, proper home garden planning, and much more. National Public Gardens Week serves as an opportunity to highlight the efforts of public gardens to educate local communities across the country.
To exhibit new gardening projects
National Public Gardens Week also serves as an opportunity for public gardens across the country to launch and exhibit new landscaping and gardening projects. The influx of people to public gardens during this time spikes well above most days of the year and often serves as a time to show people new projects that may encourage them to visit more often.