A 501c6 Non-Profit Organization
SCHEDEL
ARBORETUM & GARDENS
This beautiful 17 acre garden estate is home to many species of unusual plant life and offers boundless opportunities for the appreciation and study of nature.
The Schedel Arboretum & Gardens is a legacy left to the public by Joseph & Marie Schedel. This unique treasure is the continuation of a dream envisioned by the Schedels after taking up residence here in 1929. Love of nature and the arts was exemplified in their many accomplishments during nearly fifty years in residence here.
This beautiful 17 acre garden estate is home to many species of unusual plant life and offers boundless opportunities for the appreciation and study of nature.
The Schedel Arboretum & Gardens is a legacy left to the public by Joseph & Marie Schedel. This unique treasure is the continuation of a dream envisioned by the Schedels after taking up residence here in 1929. Love of nature and the arts was exemplified in their many accomplishments during nearly fifty years in residence here.
In addition to unusual and exotic species of plant life and upwards of 10,000 annual plants and flowers, the Schedel Arboretum & Gardens offers visitors several themed areas in which to view and study nature.
The SA&G Rose Garden is a very popular area for visitors. There are over 80 varieties of hybrid tea roses in the garden, many of which have been here for many years. Roses in the garden are irrigated from underground to prevent the leaves from becoming wet which makes the plants more susceptible to disease.
The Tropical Garden, located next to the Trellis Gallery, was revamped and expanded in 2010. There are several varieties of banana trees, including a hardy banana that remains in the ground over winter. Nearly 40 varieties of elephant ears, pineapple, several types of lemon, lime and pomegranate round out the display. Also included in the Tropical Garden is the reflecting pool which is home to several varieties of both tropical and hardy water lilies.
Another must see area at Schedel’s is the Leo Pelka Bonsai Shelter, home to over 120 species of bonsai plants. Bonsai is the growing of an ornamental tree or shrub in a pot which artificially prevents it from reaching its normal size. These plants can live for hundreds of years and are passed from generation to generation in the orient. The oldest specimen in the Schedel collection is 64 years old. The exhibit and shelter were named for long-time volunteer Leo Pelka who has takes care of the plants and provided the funding for construction of the new shelter in 2009.
The Perennial Garden is located adjacent to the Manor House and provides a beautiful display of color year around. Each spring, volunteers divide plants from this garden and they are displayed for sale near the vegetable garden.
The Iris Garden located in the western portion of the upland garden area was replanted in the fall of 2012 with several new varieties of plants that provide quite a show of color in mid- to late-April.
The Peony Garden is located adjacent to the Iris Garden and is home to more than 40 varieties of this early summer bloomer. The large colorful flowers will last from 1 to 6 weeks depending on the variety and conditions. There are a couple varieties growing here that were hybridized by Marie Schedel.
Joseph & Marie Schedel were truly visionaries who were well ahead of their time. The Schedels created the Schedel Foundation to which they entrusted the stewardship of the gardens upon their passing. Following Marie’s passing in 1989, the gardens opened to the public in accordance to the wishes of the Schedel’s. The gardens have been open seasonally since, except for a time in the summer of 1992 when closure was necessary for clean up and repairs following a tornado that destroyed 131 mature trees. Since then, the gardens have been subject to constant growth and improvements, thanks to the generosity of its many benefactors, members, volunteers and dedicated staff.
The Schedel Arboretum & Gardens is an operation of the Joseph J. & Marie P. Schedel Foundation, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) public foundation.
Love Gardens and Arboretums? Be sure to check out "55 Arboretums Everyone Should Put on Their Bucket List." by Emily Moore
The Japanese Garden was added in the late 1950’s. It includes many of the elements typically found in Japanese gardens but does not follow strict design principals for any given style; rather, it represents the Schedel’s interpretation. There is a 30′ foot waterfall, stream feature, bridges and a Torii gate. All are significant symbols in Asian culture.
Another popular area of the gardens is the Leo Pelka Bonsai shelter. There are over 120 ornamental trees or shrubs that have been miniaturized through the art of bonsai. These plants can live for hundreds of years and are passed from generation to generation in the orient. The oldest specimen in the Schedel collection, is 64 years old.
Another favorite spot among visitors is a grove of once thought to be extinct of dawn redwood trees, a cousin to the great red wood trees found in California.
The Blair Museum of Lithophanes
The Schedel Arboretum & Gardens is proud to display and maintain
the largest collection of lithophanes in the World!
The Blair Collection. Originally donated by collector Laurel Blair to the City of Toledo in 1993, the collection was housed in Mr. Blair's Old West End Toledo home until his death. Starting in 2002, the collection was displayed in the Artist's Village at the Toledo Botanical Gardens. Unable to care for the collection any longer, and pursuant to Mr. Blair's original donation agreement, the City of Toledo passed the collection to the Schedel Foundation as an organization capable of its care as successor done in July 2020.
Fine carvings are made in wax and a die is then cast to which thin layers of porcelain are added. This image is of a lithophane with the porcelain in place. In its natural state, the lithophane looks like nothing more than a white plaster etching.
Once the image is backlit, amazing detail from the original carving pops out
to meet the viewer's eye. The photo at right is the same piece as above only with backlighting..
Downloadable PDF Schedel Gardens Walking Tour Guide
Self Guided Walking Tours
Self-guided tours are the most common method of enjoying the gardens. Upon your arrival at the Schedel Arboretum and Gardens, check in at the Brown Welcome Center where the Self-Guided Tour booklet is available. The booklet includes a map and checkpoints serving as a guide for one’s leisurely walk through the gardens. Many major areas within the grounds are highlighted with brief explanations. In some cases, important species, specimens or varieties of plants are labeled near the plant itself, as well.
The Self-Guided Tour booklet is merely a guide, however guests are invited to re-trace their steps, take their time, and seek out plants and areas they find interesting that may not be directly noted in the tour booklet itself. Please review and observe the rules of garden etiquette.
Schedel Arboretum & Gardens
19255 W Portage River South Rd.
Elmore, Ohio 43416
Schedel Arboretum & Gardens photo gallery, use arrows below to scroll
Additional Information and Maps
Schedel Arboretum & Gardens is located in Elmore, Ohio and is just a few miles from Exit 81 of the Ohio Turnpike. The garden is open seasonally April - October, please verify times before travel, information shown here is updated regularly but may not reflect up-to-date pricing and hours.
Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM- Last admission at 3:30 PM Thursdays 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Sunday 12:00 to 4:00 PM Last admission at 3:30 PM
Closed All Mondays, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day as well as 9/12/2021 for our annual fundraiser(must have advance tickets). The gardens are closed November 1st- March 31st. The Brown Welcome Center is available during that time for rental or by appointment only.
We are located:
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30 minutes from the Lake Erie Island Ferry in Downtown Port Clinton
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55 minutes to Cedar Point Amusement Park
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30 minutes from downtown Toledo
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90 minutes from downtown Cleveland
Downloadable PDF Information Sheet about Schedel Gardens
ADDRESS:
CONTACT:
Schedel Arboretum & Gardens
19255 W Portage River South Rd.
Elmore, Ohio 43416
Telephone: (419)-862-3182
Website: schedel-gardens.org
712 North Street, Fremont, Ohio 43420 | 419-332-4470 or toll free 800-255-8070 | Fax 419-332-4359