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Luthy Botanical Garden
2218 N. Prospect (corner of Prospect & Gift)
Peoria, IL 61603
309-686-3362
Get to the Garden by bus using CityLink route #12
Bob Streitmatter, Manager
bstreitmatter@peoriaparks.org
The George Luthy Memorial Botanical Garden encompasses five acres of landscaped displays that give you ideas for your own gardening endeavors. The Garden also offers a place to escape the rush of everyday life and enjoy a relaxing time in one of Peoria’s most beautiful sites. Make sure you visit the redesigned Rose Garden, and venture off the sidewalk to see hidden treasures at the far corners of the Garden. Then enjoy the vibrant tropicals inside our Conservatory, home of the ever-popular Lily Show, the Orchid Show on Mothers' Day and the Plant Sale this spring. Stop in and see how our Garden’s grown!
Garden Mission Statement: to provide a garden showcase and resource center, highlighting the vital connections between people and plants
Hours and Admission (effective Jan. 1, 2010)
Garden, Conservatory and Garden Shop Hours
Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm
Sunday 12-5 pm
Monday Closed
Garden, Conservatory and Garden Shop Hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day)
Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-7 pm
Sunday 12-5 pm
Monday Closed
Garden and Conservatory Admission
$2 for adults (13 and up). Children 12 and under and Garden Members are free. Admission may vary with special events and shows.
- Luthy Botanical Garden is proud to be a member of the American Public Garden Association (APGA). For more information on APGA, go to www.publicgardens.org/
- Luthy Botanical Garden participates in the reciprocal admissions program sponsored by the American Horticultural Society. To obtain a list of reciprocal gardens located throughout the United States, go to: www.ahs.org/events/reciprocal_events.htm
Directions to the Garden
From I-74 West: take Exit 89 and War Memorial Drive East (U.S. 150 East); stay on eastbound War Memorial Drive. Continue on War Memorial Drive through 7 stoplights, to Prospect Road (Prospect Road is at the 8th light and approximately 2.5 miles from the War Memorial exit. Turn right on Prospect Road, (which is south); continue on Prospect Road going through 2 stoplights to Gift Avenue. Gift Avenue will be 6 blocks or .3 miles after the 2nd stoplight. Turn left onto Gift Avenue (sign at corner) and follow it to the right into our parking lot.
From I-74 East: take Exit 89 and War Memorial Drive East (U.S. 150 East); stay on eastbound War Memorial Drive. Continue on War Memorial Drive through 7 stoplights, to Prospect Road (Prospect Road is at the 8th light and approximately 2.5 miles from the War Memorial exit). Turn right on Prospect Road, (which is south); continue on Prospect Road going through 2 stoplights to Gift Avenue. Gift Avenue will be 6 blocks or .3 miles after the 2nd stoplight. Turn left onto Gift Avenue (sign at corner) and follow it to the right into our parking lot.
Quick Tour of the Garden
- Tropical Conservatory housing tropical plants and succulents
- 15 Theme Gardens/Borders within 5 Acres: AARS Rose Garden, Children's Garden, Cottage Garden, Crabapple Cove, Fall Border, Flowering Shrub, Herb Garden, Hosta Glade, Prairie Border, Spring Border, Viburnum Border, Wildlife Garden, Wilson Garden, Woodland Garden
- The Luthy Garden Shop: Our Garden Shop carries some of the most unique merchandise in Peoria--everything from educational toys and books to jewelry, garden tools and plants. Remember, Garden members receive 10% off all purchqases, so ask about becoming a member!
- Floral Shows: Lily Show, Orchid Show, Chrysanthemum Show, Poinsettia Show
- Adult Classes & Tours: We offer Garden tours and classes on a wide variety of topics ranging from gardening basics to making hypertufa troughs.
- School Programs & Tours for Children: Introduction to Plants, Nature's Kitchen, Rainforest Versus the Desert program, Terrarium program, Garden Scavenger Hunt, Garden/Greenhouse/Conservatory tours
- Special Events: Wine and Roses, Gigs in the Garden, Rhapsody in Bloom Arts Festival, Rhythm in the Rainforest, Jinglin' Jazz, Spring Plant Sale, June Plant Sale, Garish Garden Show, Kwanza Show
- Production: Each year we produce 100,000 flowers, grasses and tropicals that are planted throughout the city in parks, boulevards and the streets
Got a Little Time on Your Hands?
The Garden Wants You!
Luthy Botanical Garden has a volunteer position for everyone who has some time. Horticulture volunteers are out in the Garden every day, gettin' dirty and havin' fun alongside our staff. But wait; we can use your talents even if you want to preserve your manicure! We have volunteer opportunities in education, special event coordination, the Garden Shop and as an office assistant. We offer weekend hours and daytime shifts, so if you're interested in volunteering for a special event or on a regular basis, call Brian Barry, Volunteer Coordinator, at 681-2822.
Horticulture Presentations:
Know Plants, Will Travel
Our professional horticulturists are available to present a wide variety of plant and gardening related talks and demonstrations to your community group, garden club or special interest society. We would also love to provide a private tour of the Garden, so you can get to know it personally. Prices start as low as $40 on site. Call 686-3362 for details.
"What a Beautiful Garden," Luthy's Landscape Consultation Service
Are your friends and neighbors envious of your garden -- or are your "ornamentals" flowering weeds? The truth is everyone wants a beautiful garden, and with a little knowledge, yours can be breathtaking! Let the horticultural consultants at Luthy Botanical Garden visit your home or office for expert advice on problem areas. You'll gain insight into your own landscape design and learn the proper techniques for fertilizing, pruning and controlling pests. Call for an appointment today! For just $40/hour ($50/hour for non-residents), you'll discover how beautiful your garden can be.
Our Garden is Your Garden -- Wedding and Public Rental Available
Please everyone (and especially yourself) by renting a Garden area or the Conservatory for your next party, meeting or wedding. Call (309) 681-3507 to speak with our Special Events Coordinator, Ann Kizer, or send her an e-mail: akizer@peoriaparks.org .
Luthy has a Letterbox. What is Letterboxing?
Letterboxing is an intriguing pastime combining artistic ability with "treasure hunts" in parts, forests and cities around the world. Participants seek out hidden letterboxes by cracking codes and following clues found on the Internet. Within each letterbox is a logbook and rubber stamp, usually a unique, hand-carved stamp, not a store-bought one. Letterboxers stamp their discoveries in a personal journal, then use their own personal rubber stamp, called a signature stamp, by stamping it into the logbook found with the letterbox, perhaps writing a note about the weather or their adventures in finding the letterbox. Stamp pads are generally not probided in letterboxes; most people carry their own. Finds are then logged online. Visit http://www.letterboxing.org or http://www.atlasquest.com for more information. The direct links to the letterbox clues are as follows: http://www.atlasquest.com/boxes/clue/index.html?gBoxld=81465 and http://letterboxing.org/BoxView.phpboxnum+41418&boxname=IllinoisStateFlower