Jens Jensen Gardens in Evanston

11/28/2025

For your post-Thanksgiving enjoyment, a hummingbird moth (yes, you read that right, moth) hanging out by Charles's truck.

11/17/2025

Thrilled to host our first Nature Journaling Workshop on Sunday at the gardens, with expert guidance from , Shane Alden. Look for more of this in 2026!

11/17/2025

Happy Birthday to our founder, Charles R. Smith. It was a pleasure to celebrate his birthday and the renaming of the main room at the Evanston Ecology Center in his honor.

Mayor Daniel Biss toasts Charles Smith on his 80th birthday celebration Saturday at the Ecology Center. See also in the RoundTable — Here in Evanston: A

11/12/2025

STOP AND MULCH THE ROSES!

Help prepare the Merrick Rose Garden for a safe Winter and a beautiful Spring and Summer. If you are able, please come to the rose garden at Lake St. and Oak Ave. on Tuesday November 18th from 1p-4p.

The City Of Evanston, Chalet Nursery and the nature stewards at Jen Jensen Gardens in Evanston are collaborating to revitalize this Evanston treasure. The roses will be cleaned and pruned, and (with your help) mulch will be placed around each plant to protect from harsh winter conditions.

Much of the work to be done will involve moving the mulch in wheelbarrows to the rose beds and placing the mulch around each plant. This will require people power!

Bring gloves and dress for the weather!

11/02/2025

Join us for a workshop in the Gardens! Shane Alden ( on instagram) will guide us in botanical sketching techniques, and we'll share some of the future plans for Jens Jensen Gardens. Sign-up link in is in the comments.

10/23/2025

So much buzz about native habitats in Evanston these days. We are happy to be part of this crowd! Check out the latest — this cool project researching the impact of native planting on bee populations in the city. Our good friend Leslie Shad from Natural Habitat Evanston is quoted in the article.

Link to article in the comments.

Growing up in Evanston, Libby Shafer hated the city’s grass lawns. They are overly manicured, which is “wasteful” and takes up too much space and energy, she said.  Now, the third-year plant biology and conservation Ph.D. student aims to change that with her Bees on the Block project — tran...

09/23/2025

Get the latest information about the plan for the Harley Clarke Mansion revitalization here.

THE LAKEFRONT LEGEND RETURNS – OPENING FOR COMMUNITY GATHERINGS IN 2026 AND FULL EVENTS IN 2027

09/22/2025

Great to celebrate last Saturday with the community and with our partners on the Celadon team including Scott Henry. JJGE supporters showed up in force for the Fish Boil and Plant Giveaway to celebrate the beginning of the Harley Clarke revitalization. Coming in 2027, one full century after these gardens first came to life. Thanks to all who joined!

09/11/2025

Future Monarchs Visit Evanston! Caterpillars and chrysalises (chryrsilades) grace our garden these days.

08/03/2025

We're famous (again)! This year's Evanston Plein Air Festival from Evanston Made featured three artists who took on our Coach House or Green House as their subjects. Thanks for the attention from Kelly Dawson (Pomegranate Art), Robin Strand (robinstrandart.com), and Cindy Wirtz.

07/20/2025

Monarch caterpillar on swamp milkweed in the coach house garden. A pair of hummingbirds have also taken up residence in the garden. There are new things blooming every day!

06/01/2025

Sign up now for the Garden Club of Evanston Garden Walk June 28th, 2025—rain or shine—for a day filled with beauty and nature. This year’s theme, “A Midsummer Day's Dream,” takes visitors into private and public gardens along Evanston’s lakeside. Don't miss this opportunity to explore these unique gardens, immerse yourself in the wonders of nature, and visit a one-of-a-kind pop-up boutique. Your participation provides funds to advance civic projects, support demonstration gardens, and maintain historic community gardens.

A Glorious Garden Walk: A Midsummer Day's Dream—Take a stroll through private gardens along Evanston's lakeside.