750 E. 88th St.
Cleveland, OH 44108
(216) 664-3103
www.facebook.com/RockefellerGreenhouse
Originally the greenhouse was utilized solely to grow plants for the City of Cleveland’s landscaping projects. It has evolved into a spring and summer destination for flower lovers all over Cuyahoga County. Inside the greenhouse (no admission charge), you’ll always find thousands of plants along with seasonal feature displays. Outside, walking gardens may be the biggest draw, with an incomparable iris garden among the favorites. If you have extra time, wander down the hill and enjoy miles of trails through the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, with displays on both sides of Martin Luther King Drive.
4101 Fulton Parkway
Cleveland, OH 44144
(216) 635-3200
www.clevelandmetroparks.com
The Metropark is the only other totally-free site for spring flower viewing in this list. But fear not, you could spend all spring exploring the 22,000 acres managed by the Metroparks. To make life easier, it offers a Tour of Wildflowers program each spring, with prizes if you find and identify a required number of flower species. Log onto their website using the link above and register for the Tour of Wildflowers. You’ll get an instant download of a flower guide and prize requirements.
11030 East Blvd.
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 721-1600
www.cbgarden.org
Renowned for both their greenhouse and their outdoor gardens, this is a must-see-destination that is worth the admission fee. The Glasshouse is home to two micro climates, enabling them to replicate the flowers and plants from both Madagascar and Costa Rica. Outside, spring time is a perfect time to enjoy the flowers in 11 distinct garden areas, including the nation’s first Children’s Garden. If you love photographing flowers, you might consider joining their Garden Photography Club, where you’ll receive special shooting privileges.
Related: Best Botanical Gardens In Cleveland
16711 Pearl Road
Strongsville, OH 44136
(440) 238-6653
www.gardenviewhp.weebly.com
Driving down Pearl Road in this southwest suburb, you’d never guess that behind that big wooden fence lies 16 acres of blossoming green goodness. Begun in 1949, this garden has been the life-long accomplishment of Henry Ross. Open on Saturdays and Sundays, you’ll enjoy the six-acre English Cottage Gardens with rare plantings. There’s also a 10-acre arboretum with 2,000+ flowering trees.
714 N. Portage Path
Akron, OH 44303
(330) 836-5533
www.stanhywet.org
Built in 1912 for rubber baron F.A. Seiberling, founder of Goodyear Tire, this estate is surrounded by 70 acres of finely maintained green space. Walking outside from the house, you’ll be captivated by the 550-foot-long birch tree allee, a stone path naturally arched by 100 tall, gray birch trees. Head over to The Dell for a cornucopia of wildflowers in the spring and summer, and walk through the stone underpass on your way to the sunlit Great Meadow on the other side. The English Garden was the favorite of the Seiberling’s wife and today is lovingly maintained with over 3,300 perennials.