“This honor is a testament to the incredible dedication of our horticulture team,” said Steve Foltz, director of horticulture at the Cincinnati Zoo. “Every garden path, every bloom, and every green space is designed to inspire our guests and connect them more deeply to the natural world.”

The gardens at the Zoo offer prominent seasonal displays, including the upcoming explosion of tulips during Zoo Blooms sponsored by Delta Dental. These provide a beautiful backdrop for Tunes & Blooms, sponsored by Holland Commercial Roofing, free concerts on the first four Thursdays in April.

“We’re also quite proud of our annual displays and plant trials program,” said Foltz. “We partner with breeders, growers, nurseries, and garden centers to assemble recommended plant lists for public and industry use. To most visitors, the takeaway is an appreciation for the beauty that surrounds them and a sense of wellbeing.  There’s more going on, but we’ll take that!”

The efforts of the Zoo’s horticulture department are complemented by the work that the plant division at its Center for Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) to propagate and preserve endangered plants. The Native Plant Program team works closely with CREW, often growing plants in its nurseries to plant back into the wild, making a significant impact on the preservation of biodiversity.

Visitors can explore the award-winning Botanical Garden & Zoo all year round.  The Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.  Members are invited to enter the Zoo one hour earlier, one of the many perks of belonging to the Zoo family.  Zoo Memberships, sponsored by Thomas & Galbraith Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, are on sale now – April 30!