Sunken Gardens in Lincoln, Nebraska was another one of those places that our beautiful cousin and talented artist Sondra Jonson told us we had to visit.
Welcome to Sunken Gardens Lincoln Nebraska
Photo Credit: Website
From left: Steve, Sondra, Me and Hershi in our RV
We had to stop in Lincoln, because it was close enough to Sondra for us to connect. And after many, many years of just being able to correspond, we really wanted a face to face visit. Sondra drove about 3 1/2 hours from her home in Cambridge NE to spend a glorious day with us. And then she drove another 45 minutes so that we could have lunch in Omaha with one of her sons. We soaked up every beautiful second of family time on our far too short visit.
Sunken Gardens Lincoln Nebraska
Various colors of Violas which are related to Violets
Sondra had already recommended many artistic place for us to visit in our travels, so we trusted her when she said we just had to see Lincoln’s Sunken Gardens. So on our last day in Nebraska, we returned to Ivanna Cone for a couple of pints of their amazing ice cream following our stroll through the gorgeous hidden little gem of a park.
I know it’s winter now, so most of you are not able to enjoy the beauty of colorful flowers this time of year. That makes sharing about this gorgeous park if more fun. So enjoy a taste of summer sunshine and an array of boldly hued blooms.
Themes change each year
Gorgeous gazebo at Sunken Gardens with flowering plumbago bush.
Sunken Gardens is a place that changes each year. A new floral scheme is designed by the Garden Artists annually, featuring over 30,000 different annuals.
This is the only garden in Nebraska to be listed in the “300 Best Gardens to Visit in the United States and Canada” by National Geographic’s “Guide to Public Gardens”. It is incredible to me that this enchanting place was formerly a neighborhood dumpsite. Sunken Gardens 1.5 acres was first developed in 1930, and has since been transformed into an iconic attraction of Lincoln.
Gardens change with seasons
Follow the brick path and find all of the beauty of Sunken Gardens Lincoln Nebraska
Every spring visitors can tiptoe through the tulips. And each summer they can watch the thousands of annuals and perennials bloom. If you are brave enough to be in Lincoln during the frigid winters, art installations, varied combinations of trees, shrubs, and hardy perennials provide especially quiet and peaceful points of interest.
But you should be aware that this free attraction, though open year round, only has bathroom facilities from April through October. I guess that tells you just how cold it is in the winter months! Can’t have water pipes freezing and bursting, now can we?
The theme for the gardens in 2022, when we visited was “A Wonderland” and it truly was!
2023 Theme is called “Magical Mystery Tour”
Terraced gardens lead to upper level of Sunken Gardens Lincoln Nebraska
If you visit Sunken Gardens Lincoln Nebraska, this year you will see inspired planted beds like Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields and Octopus’ Garden that have all beent put in with Love, Love, Love!
The Gardens designs have been inspired by the album covers and art work of the favorite tunes that the Beatles brought us during the 60s and 70s. These same songs are still popular today and will forever be embedded in our hearts and souls.
Features of the Sunken Garden
A rainbow of flowering plants
This small but exquisite garden is divided into many garden areas that I’ve listed below.
Healing Garden
Flowering thyme plants. pretty and delicious!
The Healing Garden , which is also known as the White Garden, is on the the upper level of Sunken Gardens. The design for this garden was inspired by the famous White Garden at Sissinghurst Castle in Kent, England. It was created in the 1930s by Vita Sackville West and Harold Nicholson. It’s believed that the gathering of white blossoms inspires calm, serenity and meditation.
Perennial Garden
Hostas, coleus and violas in all their glory
Perennials, which come up year after year, are located throughout Sunken Gardens. They are featured mostly in the upper level on the north side near the “Rotary Pavilion” . This is where you will find varieties of sun and shade loving perennials including hostas, viburnum and hydrangeas.
Annual Garden
The staff and volunteers plant thousands of annuals each year. In fact they make an event out of it! It’s known as the Wake up the Beds event, and the plantings correspond to the new theme that’s announced each spring.
Some of the themes of the past have included Tropicalismo, Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Dr. Suess, Hachimaki (a stylized Japanese headband), Power of the Peacock, Purple Haze, Solar Flair and Moon River.
Water Features
Coleus, zinnias and cannas surround a water feature
Aquatic plants such as the water lily thrive here
The Sunken Gardens in Lincoln, is home to two Lily Ponds in addition to a cascading waterfall. Not only are these water features lovely to look at, but the sound of trickling water engages your senses creating a thoroughly relaxing, peaceful setting. The Lily Ponds bring even more life and beauty into the garden. The ponds are also home to colorful koi, along with hardy water lilies, lotus, and a rotation of tropical aquatic plants.
Art Installations
Several well know Lincoln public art pieces reside in the gardens. Through the generosity of several residents, the garden has been adorned with statues and sculptural elements since its creation in the 1930s.
Paving the Path
Colorful Zinnias
In 2005, the Sunken Gardens underwent a renovation. At that time the brick path was installed as a way to memorialize loved ones, proclaim your love and support to the garden for future generations. Anyone can honor special friends or family members, celebrate a momentous occasion or commemorate holidays by purchasing an inscribed brick to be placed in the walkways at the renovated Sunken Gardens.
One Flower Forever
Each year, one flower will be planted in honor of someone special. All of the donors receive a commemorative certificate that can be framed and presented to the honoree or honoree’s family. Names of honorees are recorded in the inter-active kiosk at the Sunken Gardens Pavilion.
Italian Cypress and water lilies for one last look at the gorgeous Sunken Gardens Lincoln Nebraska
This gorgeous little park is hidden away, but be sure to seek it out and enjoy a few hours of beauty and serenity while visiting Lincoln, Nebraska!
