Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden

Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden For those not familiar with Klehm, here’s a little more about us… Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden is Winnebago County’s largest public garden. Bypass 20.
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Explore every season in the Heart of the Arboretum District: majestic colors of fall, blooming crabapples in spring, butterfly gardens in summer, and snow-covered evergreens in winter. Our property began as a tree nursery when Landscape Architect, William Lincoln Taylor opened the Rockford Nursery in the early 1920’s. Many of the rare trees in our arboretum are a result of his experimental plantin

gs. Taylor continued running the Rockford Nursery with the help of his family until 1968 when he sold the business to Carl and Roy Klehm. The Klehm family owned the business until Carl Klehm passed away in the early 1980’s. Carl’s family had been inspired by a visit to Severson Dells and decided to donate the land to the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District (WCFPD) in 1985 on the condition that it become an arboretum. With the help of volunteers and organizations, originally operating as Northern Illinois Botanical Society, Klehm Arboretum grew into the special place it is today. Visitors can still see evidence of the property’s history especially on the West Loop where visitors often stop to marvel at a row of large European Larch. Klehm continues to operate in partnership with the WCFPD. The 1990’s saw the addition of the paved paths comprising the East and West Loop, many gardens like the Nancy Olson Children’s Garden and our Visitors Center and the Clarcor Pavilion. With almost three decades to grow, our property has become an essential part of the community and a popular tourist destination. Many people don’t realize we are conveniently located only a few minutes south of downtown Rockford and north of U.S. Our grounds include 155 acres of gardens and woodland paths. It’s important to us that everyone can enjoy a connection to nature on our property. We ensure that our grounds are accessible by being ADA compliant and make a point of telling visitors that we are very dog friendly and encourage owners to bring their pets for a walk. With two miles of paved paths and two and half miles of unpaved trails, we’re a great place for healthy fun. To maintain a living museum for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of all people. Education is important to us. As a place to learn, Klehm offers a variety of educational opportunities for people of all ages from nature-themed Family Fun Days to Botanical Lectures, group tours for schools and adults as well as a full schedule of activities and programs based around gardening and creatively engaging with the natural world, throughout the year. As an arboretum, Klehm is Rockford’s living museum with over 300 species of trees and shrubs and an additional 200 cultivars enhancing diversity of the many collections. As a botanical garden, Klehm is home to many specialty gardens, like the daylily garden, butterfly, fountain, rhododendron, wildflower and hosta garden, styled in formal or casual elegance. Additionally, we choose to support our local food pantries with a Plant-a-Row garden. Mission Statement: To maintain a living museum for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of all people.

We've had many feathered visitors at Klehm!
03/22/2025

We've had many feathered visitors at Klehm!

We found something today...the peonies are coming! 😍
03/22/2025

We found something today...the peonies are coming! 😍

We have 3 eggs now!! 👏👏
03/21/2025

We have 3 eggs now!! 👏👏

THIRD EGG!

Three’s company…

At approximately 9:30am, the third egg arrived this morning.

The second grade students at Oregon Elementary School were able to watch her lay it too. How fun for them!

You can watch for more eggs here: https://iconicnrg.com/falcons/

📷: Photo of female peregrine falcon, Louise, taken from Nest Cam footage on 3/21/2025. Time stamped.

Happy International Forest Day! The forests are so crucial to the future of our planet that the UN declared March 21 to ...
03/21/2025

Happy International Forest Day! The forests are so crucial to the future of our planet that the UN declared March 21 to be the International Day of Forests. For many years now, this amazing global celebration has been creating awareness all over the world about the importance of forests. They are one of our greatest natural treasures that we must preserve and protect. Come on out to Klehm and take a stroll on our paths and on the trails in our forest and show your support for the forests of our world!

It's here! Spring is here! 🌱🥳🥳🌱
03/20/2025

It's here! Spring is here! 🌱🥳🥳🌱

Our members mean so much to us! If you haven't considered an annual membership at Klehm, maybe now is the time! We are o...
03/19/2025

Our members mean so much to us! If you haven't considered an annual membership at Klehm, maybe now is the time! We are open year round and the perfect, quiet place for a walk! There are other perks towards our events throughout the year, a discount in the gift shop and free or discounted admission to other gardens throughout the US! To purchase a membership as a gift, please call 815-965-8146 or email [email protected] and we'll get you all set!

Another day, another egg!
03/19/2025

Another day, another egg!

SECOND EGG!

And then there were two…

You can watch for more eggs here: https://iconicnrg.com/falcons/

📷: Photo of female peregrine falcon, Louise, taken from Nest Cam footage on 3/19/2025. Time stamped.

Global Recycling Day, celebrated on March 18 every year, is a recycling initiative that encourages us to look at our tra...
03/18/2025

Global Recycling Day, celebrated on March 18 every year, is a recycling initiative that encourages us to look at our trash in a new light. There are several ways to recycle that allow some materials to be reused multiple times. Recycling is great for us and the environment because it lessens the energy we use, enhances the quality of water and air we breathe, and combats climate change.

There is a great reference book in our gift shop for items that you may not be sure that you can recycle OR items that you've been throwing in the recycle bin, but are actually not recyclable. You might be surprised...take a peek the next time you're out!

In the meantime, happy recycling!

Alan Branhagen, Executive Director of Natural Land Institute, was out at Klehm on Sunday with the snow and blustery wind...
03/18/2025

Alan Branhagen, Executive Director of Natural Land Institute, was out at Klehm on Sunday with the snow and blustery winds. He got some really nice shots of the Vernal and Cultivar Rose Lyric witch hazel in the snow that we wanted to share 😍

"I love Vernal witch hazel as one of our first flowers -- and for how tough it is! It's always a joy to walk at Klehm, something I do every three weeks or so."

Thank you for sharing the photos and the kind words, Alan. And thank you for taking the time to visit us regularly!

The first egg has been laid!! 🥳
03/17/2025

The first egg has been laid!! 🥳

FIRST EGG!

We think the first egg arrived around 9pm.

The light pollution from the library doesn’t allow the camera to auto flip to night mode anymore. It was flipped manually around 9:30pm tonight because we could see Louise down in the scrape. And she finally revealed it!

You can watch for more eggs here: https://iconicnrg.com/falcons/

📷: Photo of female peregrine falcon, Louise, taken from Nest Cam footage on 3/16/2025. Time stamped.

03/17/2025

Happy Sunday! Things are starting to happen out on the grounds...it's an exciting time to explore! Here are some pics fr...
03/16/2025

Happy Sunday! Things are starting to happen out on the grounds...it's an exciting time to explore! Here are some pics from the week! 🌱📸🌞

A huge shout out to our Tuesday volunteers who help us with a million different things, but specifically with the bridge...
03/15/2025

A huge shout out to our Tuesday volunteers who help us with a million different things, but specifically with the bridge that leads to the Nancy Olson Children's Garden. The railings have been replaced with a fresh set as they were starting to rot. It looks fantastic and we couldn't be more grateful ❤

"Look closely at the forest floor. The earth does not need much to flourish. A little dirt; some sunlight and water and ...
03/14/2025

"Look closely at the forest floor.
The earth does not need much to flourish.
A little dirt; some sunlight and water and air.
Add a few chemicals for flavoring
And there it is, a very happy life."

We live in a culture where we are told that “stuff” holds the key to happiness. Yet deep inside, we know something different. On this evening’s walk, we will consider, or reconsider, what we really need (or don’t need) to have a fulfilling life. And we will turn to the natural world as our guide.

For more info and to register, please go to: https://klehm.org/a-little-simplicity-tranquility-walk/

With each Tranquility Walk, it's fun to see everyone shedding layers as the weather gets warmer! Last night's walk was l...
03/13/2025

With each Tranquility Walk, it's fun to see everyone shedding layers as the weather gets warmer! Last night's walk was lovely and a big part of why that is has to do with the individuals that come and take part. THANK YOU for coming! A huge THANK YOU goes out to Randy Zimmerman for leading these meditative journeys through our grounds - they have become very special to those who participate. We are looking forward to the next walk on April 10th!

Our Woodsong lineup is confirmed! We are very excited to have these bands fill the grounds with their tunes this summer ...
03/13/2025

Our Woodsong lineup is confirmed! We are very excited to have these bands fill the grounds with their tunes this summer - be sure to mark your calendars and tell your friends...tickets will be available soon!

The Neverly Brothers Band The Groove Hotel Yacht Rock-ettes Hypnotized by Mac Gone 2 Paradise - The Ultimate Jimmy Buffett Experience

Happy National Plant a Flower Day! Spring is just around the corner, and March 12th is the day to participate in Nationa...
03/12/2025

Happy National Plant a Flower Day! Spring is just around the corner, and March 12th is the day to participate in National Plant a Flower Day. Each year this day is dedicated to the planting of flowers and looking forward to the spring season. So plant a flower in a pot or a garden and get excited for spring!

It's almost time for Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden's annual Plant Sale Fundraiser! Purchase your plants online starti...
03/11/2025

It's almost time for Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden's annual Plant Sale Fundraiser! Purchase your plants online starting April 4th and pick up your order on May 9th or May 10th in the Garden Pavilion at Klehm. These plants have been carefully selected to be new or unique varieties of beloved perennials that would be a great addition to your home landscape!

Address

2715 S Main Street
Rockford, IL
61102

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

(815) 965-8146

Website

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Currently feeling magical ❄❄❄
Currently feeling magical ❄❄❄

Currently feeling magical ❄️❄️❄️

Catch Eerie Autumn Lights before it vanishes! 👻 Now nightly through October 31st - tickets are online-only at Klehm.org! 🦇

Little ones need to get to bed early? 🎃 Don't worry, there's still tons of fun at Eerie Autumn Lights! 👻 Check out the action beginning at 5PM each night and get your tickets at Klehm.org!

Come see what all the spooky fun is about at Eerie Autumn Lights at Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden - tickets are online-only at Klehm.org!

Yacht-Rockettes at Klehm!
Yacht-Rockettes at Klehm!

A favorite moment from last night...⚓️❤🎉🎉🎶

Happy St. Patty's Day!!
Happy St. Patty's Day!!

Spring cleaning at Klehm...so satisfying! Thank you Forest Preserves of Winnebago County!
Spring cleaning at Klehm...so satisfying! Thank you Forest Preserves of Winnebago County!

Spring Cleaning continues...so satisfying! Thank you Forest Preserves of Winnebago County!

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Our Story

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden is Winnebago County’s largest public garden. Our property began as a tree nursery when Landscape Architect, William Lincoln Taylor opened the Rockford Nursery in the early 1920’s. Many of the rare trees in our arboretum are a result of his experimental plantings. Taylor continued running the Rockford Nursery with the help of his family until 1968 when he sold the business to Carl and Roy Klehm. The Klehm family owned the business until Carl Klehm passed away in the early 1980’s. Carl’s family had been inspired by a visit to Severson Dells and decided to donate the land to the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District (WCFPD) in 1985 on the condition that it become an arboretum. With the help of volunteers and organizations, originally operating as Northern Illinois Botanical Society, Klehm Arboretum grew into the special place it is today. Visitors can still see evidence of the property’s history especially on the West Loop where visitors often stop to marvel at a row of large European Larch.

Klehm continues to operate in partnership with the WCFPD. The 1990’s saw the addition of the paved paths comprising the East and West Loop, many gardens like the Nancy Olson Children’s Garden and our Visitors Center and the Clarcor Pavilion. With almost three decades to grow, our property has become an essential part of the community and a popular tourist destination.

We are conveniently located only a few minutes south of downtown Rockford and north of U.S. Bypass 20. Our grounds include 155 acres of gardens and woodland paths. It’s important to us that everyone can enjoy a connection to nature on our property. We ensure that our grounds are accessible by being ADA compliant and make a point of telling visitors that we are very dog friendly and encourage owners to bring their pets for a walk. With two miles of paved paths and two and half miles of unpaved trails, we’re a great place for healthy fun.

As a place to learn, Klehm offers a variety of educational opportunities for people of all ages year round, including group tours for schools and adults as well as a full schedule of activities and programs based around gardening and creatively engaging with the natural world. Klehm also prides itself on being an area of natural play, specifically in the Nancy Olson Children’s Garden with its newly renovated Kid’s Creek and splash pad play area.