There is a gorgeous botanical garden inside of Rochester’s Highland Park. The Lamberton Conservatory was built in 1911 and named for Alexander B. Lamberton, who was once the president of the Parks board (1902 to 1915). This is a true gem that gets far too little notice. I think mainly because not a lot of people even know it is there and the larger museums get the lion’s share of the attention, which is a real shame because this botanical garden is magnificent.
We visited the Conservatory on an extremely fridged day and it was nice and toasty inside. In fact, with the sun shining through the roof, the warmth, and all the greenery, we felt like we escaped on a mini-vacation to somewhere warm and peaceful for a bit.
Habitats
There are quite a few different garden habitats represented at the Lamberton Conservatory. While this isn’t the biggest botanical garden, they make excellent use of the space. The glass greenhouse is built in a square around an open-air center garden. There are 5 display houses within the greenhouse and each is a different environment. Desert Environment, The Tropical Dome, House Plants, the Seasonal Display House, Epiphytes, Orchids, Ferns, and Exotics house.
As you walk through the greenhouses, keep your eyes peeled and watch where you step. There are turtles, tortoises, and even a duck wandering around. They look very much relaxed and at home in the botanical garden. So comfortable in fact, that if the duck hadn’t moved, I would have assumed that it was a statue.
Desert Environment
This room has a sharp look about it… baa dum, dump! Okay, bad jokes aside. This is one of the most impressive desert displays I have seen at a botanical garden. The room is divided into New World and Old World plants. I love the little added touches that make you feel like you have stepped into the deserts of Arizona or New Mexico in the New World Section. Take a little extra time to appreciate the vast number of plants in this room. I really had no idea that there were so many varieties of desert plant life.
Tropical Dome
This house is the largest of the 5 with enormous palms and trees that reach the ceiling of the dome. There is a pond in this house that has two really nice waterfalls where you can often catch the turtles enjoying the water. The room is layered with plants and trees, the taller trees almost touching the dome top. This house screams tropical paradise. You will notice all sorts of different chairs and benches throughout the Conservatory. Take a seat and enjoy a few moments of tranquility.
Seasonal Display
This house is continuously changing with each season. Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter are reflected in this house decked out to show the best of each season. This is the one house within the entire greenhouse where most of the plants are potted rather than planted due to the ever-changing displays.
Visit the Lamberton Conservatory during the month of December and you will be treated to colorful lights and lots of poinsettias. The whole botanical garden is decorated to reflect the beauty of the Christmas season.
Incidentally, it was in this house we encountered the duck. She was sitting on the water feature, comfortably sleeping looking like a figurine rather than a real live duck. Then she lifted her head, gave a once-over and closed her eyes, and went back to sleep. Clearly, she is used to visitors.
Epiphytes, Orchids, Ferns, and Exotic Room
I really loved this particular house. The Spanish moss hanging with fairy lights made this house feel warm and magical. I have a particular affinity for the plants grown in this house, such as air plants and ferns, and my all-time favorite flowers, orchids.
I am a sucker for orchids, although I can’t seem to keep them alive in my own home. I have a deep respect for those who are able to grow orchids. It isn’t easy. They are as fragile as they are beautiful. The orchids in this house are incredibly gorgeous! This house has a wild look to it which I found enchanting. There is almost a mythical aura about this house.
House Plants and Tortoises
I really love all the tortoises in this house. There is an enclosure called Shellville, filled with more than a dozen tortoises (you can find their species and name located in the enclosure.) Watch your step…There is a free-range tortoise here as well. I think what I really love about the Conservatory is how relaxed the animals are. The turtles, tortoises, and even the duck seem not only unafraid of people but completely unfazed. This says a lot to me about the excellent care and respects these animals receive. You will see lots of citrus plants in this house, in addition to a variety of house plants.
Courtyard Garden
This is a garden that is only accessible from within the Conservatory. A koi pond sits at the center of this garden and is a tranquil place to sit and appreciate the beauty of this beautiful space.
We really enjoyed our visit to the Lamberton Conservatory. It was an inexpensive and relaxing way to spend an hour. We noticed a lot of young children when we were here and they seemed to really get a kick out of the botanical garden. While this facility has the capacity to accommodate strollers, the walkways are narrow at points and crowded with plants. You will want to be aware of those around you if you plan to bring a stroller.
Holiday Show
Visiting Lamberton Conservatory during the Christmas Season is a real treat. Colorful lights are draped carefully over many of the plants, bushes, and trees throughout the Conservatory. It is dazzling during the day, but it is truly breathtaking at night. The Conservatory is open during special late hours during the Holiday Show. Friday and Sunday nights it stays open until 9 pm, so people can visit when the lights are their most intense, after dark.
2024 Holiday Show Runs Friday, December 6th – Sunday, January 5th, 2025
Hours: Monday-Thursday 10 am – 4 pm, Friday 10 am – 9 pm, Saturday 10 am – 4 pm, Sunday 10 am – 9 pm
Hours and Admission
- The Conservatory is open 7 days a week, 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. except for Christmas Day. During the Holiday Show, it is open until 9 pm on Fridays and Sundays. Call 585 753-7270 for more information.
- Conservatory Admission: Youth (0-5) Free, Adult (19-61) $3.00, Youth (6-18) / Seniors (62 and up) $2.00.
- Seasonal Passes are available year-round. Individual passes are $10, Family passes are $30 and Company/Institutional passes (adult care facilities) are $50.
Address
180 Reservoir Avenue, Rochester, NY
Have you visited the Lamberton Conservatory? What is your favorite botanical garden in New York State? We would love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below.
