University of Kentucky Arboretum

Lexington, Kentucky, United States

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The University of Kentucky Arboretum, also known as the State Botanical Garden of Kentucky, is a 100-acre public garden located on the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington.

Established in 1991 through a partnership between the university and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, the arboretum showcases a diverse array of native Kentucky plants, including 18 native tree species and around 80 other native plant species, totaling over 1,200 species.

Key features include the Walk Across Kentucky, a living museum representing Kentucky's seven physiographic regions, a Kentucky Children's Garden designed to educate and inspire young visitors, and several specialized gardens such as the Home Demonstration Garden with vegetable, herb, fruit, and nut sections, a rose garden, and a fragrance garden. The arboretum serves as a center for environmental and horticultural education, research, and conservation, welcoming over 200,000 visitors annually.

It provides a tranquil natural setting that supports community engagement, school programs, and public enjoyment year-round.