Wellesley College Botanic Gardens was established in 1925 to be "a center of interest to all", for both scientific and humanistic interest in plants. This founding vision was led by Wellesley College alumna and Botany Chair Margaret C. Ferguson (class of 1891), who is reputed to have trained more women in botanical science than any other scientist of that time. To promote the study of plants native to the local region and across the globe, she advocated for and oversaw the establishment of the 20+ acres of Alexandra Botanic Gardens, H. H. Hunnewell Arboretum, and the Margaret C. Ferguson greenhouses, within the Wellesley College campus, which are now collectively the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens.

 

 

These botanical roots were present in the founding of Wellesley College. In 1875, botanically-minded founders Pauline and Henry Durant lent students their own greenhouse collections for the study of plants, and the first Botany course was held one year after the College's founding. The camellia tree (Camellia japonica 山茶 or ツバキ) inside Global Flora is often called the "Durant Camellia"; this tree was planted by the Durants on campus, and is now the sole living link to the founders, who did not want buildings named after them.

 

Many people, beings, and forces shaped and continue to shape the land and plants where the Botanic Gardens now resides. The outdoor landscapes include diverse meadows, woodlands, and wetlands, in addition to cultivated specialty gardens. The plant communities - from trees and shrubs to wildflowers and grasses - are a dynamic composite of locally adapted plants, and designed garden layouts, introduced at different times through the prior decades and millenia.  The greenhouses contain plants and designed habitats which are sourced from a network of botanic gardens and vetted plant nurseries (as gifts or purchases), for educational purposes. 

 

Across all of these stories, the unifying thread has been to uplift an understanding and appreciation of plants in our lives, for everyone.  We welcome all to join us in this mission, and be a part of this garden's story.

 

 

Garden stories

 The landscapes, plants, and gardens hold stories that go back millenia, and continue to unfold! Explore some of these stories below, and let us know if you'd like to contribute a story.

• During the last ice age, around 12,000 years ago, the movement of glaciers formed hills and valleys of campus, which now include some of the knolls (eskers) and low wetlands of the botanic gardens
• Humans lived in this area for millenia. Descendents include the Massachusett, Wampanoag, and Nipmuc nations. The understanding of plants and land practices we use today are rooted in Indigenous science, in addition to contributions of many groups whose stories are under-recognized in our existing materials. We are working with local partners to develop resources and exhibits to highlight these contributions.
• In 1875, the Durants found Wellesley College as a liberal arts college for women, and emphasize the importance of botanical education and connection with outdoor landscapes, by maintaining the glaciated landscapes, in contrast to the flattened landscapes of all-male universities of the time
• Margaret C. Ferguson shares a vision of Botany at Wellesley
• Wellesley's Women of Botany carry on a legacy of centering plants at Wellesley
• The Paulson Ecology of Place Initiative launches to enhance sense of belonging in the campus landscape
• The Global Flora conservatory is envisioned, and built in 2019, right before the global Covid-19 pandemic
• The new Science Center includes state of the art teaching and research greenhouses, adjacent to the new Global Flora
• The Frost Center for the Environment launches, to provide a hub for all to connect with environmental action
• Botany and Empire, an exhibit by ES244 students led by Prof. Ashanti Shih, shares the diverse stories of plants represented in Global Flora