If you are looking for a special plant, a unique gift for your hard-to-buy-for friend, or a quiet and secluded place for your retreat or meeting, give Fernwood a call! We offer a variety of opportunities and services to enrich your visit here.

Group Visits & Tours

Fernwood welcomes visits from clubs and other groups during normal public hours. There is a 20% discount on admission fees for your group of 20 or more if you register in advance and pay in one lump sum. Your group admission includes an introduction to Fernwood by a member of the Visitor Services staff. For more information or to register for your visit, call 269.695.6491.

If you call at least one week before your visit, we are glad to provide your group with a tour guide or speaker. We can accommodate up to 15 people on a tour and up to 50 people in a classroom program. If your group is larger, please let us know when you call so we can schedule additional guides or speakers to serve you.

Tours cost $25 per guide. Speaker fees vary depending upon the type of program and size of the facility used; please call for more information.

Food Service

Fernwood's cafe is open every day that Fernwood is open. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 3 on Sundays.

The cafe offers a full-service menu that includes homemade soup, sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit, and desserts. Beverages include coffee, tea, and iced tea. Be sure to ask about our special selections for children. If you are bringing a group, we ask that you call before you come so we can be prepared to serve you.

For groups of 20 or more, we provide box lunches instead of our regular menu. Please call at least two weeks in advance.

Cafe customers may enjoy their meals indside or out. Tables are available on the deck outside the cafe, on the Bauer Terrace, and on the grounds. Anytime Fernwood is open, soft drinks are available from a vending machine in the Visitors Center and assorted snacks can be purchased at the reception desk.

Picnickers are welcome at Fernwood. Small groups may use any available table or lawn. There are no trash receptacles on the grounds, so we ask visitors to remove their own trash.

Gift Shop

Fernwood’s gift shop is open during normal public hours. The shop offers a variety of unique items with nature and garden themes, including gifts, books, note cards, t-shirts, educational toys, stuffed animals, garden jewelry, bird feeders and houses, garden gloves and tools, and fine artwork. During the holidays, you will find a nice selection of seasonal items and great gift ideas.

Plant Sales

Fernwood holds 3-day plant sales in both the spring and the fall. These offer new, specialty, and hard-to-find plants in addition to some popular varieties. The 2009 spring plant sale is May 8-10. Remaining merchandise from the spring plant sale is offered for sale in the Garden Shop at the Visitor Center, as well as other seasonal plants, hypertufa troughs, and items for your garden. The fall sale is for members only.

And during the holidays, find a selection of freshly made outdoor decorations, including swags, wreaths, and mini trees in the Garden Shop area.

Library

Fernwood has a fine library in the lower level of the Visitors Center. Its books and magazines offer information on a wide variety of nature and horticultural topics. Members enjoy check-out privileges. The library is open during normal public hours.

Facility Rentals -- Meetings and Retreats (Click here for weddings, receptions, showers, and parties)

Fernwood’s serenity and beautiful setting make it an ideal location for meetings and retreats. Several buildings and rooms are available. These accommodate groups of up to 135 people (fewer if meals are served).

The Clark Lecture Hall and Gallery is conveniently located in the Visitors Center and is fully accessible. It features art exhibits that change seasonally. The Gallery is our best space for audio-visual presentations. It is available year-round and accommodates 135 people with lecture seating and 78 for workshops.

The Chase Classroom, also located in the Visitors Center, is fully accessible and has a beautiful view of the gardens. It is available year-round and accommodates 48 people for lectures and 20 for workshops.

The Summer House is popular because of its secluded location and scenic views of our woodland preserve. It is available from mid April through mid November and is about 200 yards from the Visitors Center. The Summer House has a kitchen and provides café/workshop seating for up to 50 people. Parking is available at the Visitors Center.

The Meeting House is a short walk from the Visitors Center and has nice views of the woodland and gardens. It has a large, open room that accommodates varied seating arrangements and groups of up to 70 people. The Meeting House is available from mid April through mid November. Parking is available at the Visitors Center.

Facilities are available Tuesday through Sunday. Fees for the first 3 hours of use are as follows:

After the first three hours, all buildings and rooms cost an additional $20 per hour.

The rental fee includes set-up of tables and chairs as desired by your group, admission to the grounds, and if desired, a brief welcome and introduction to Fernwood. The following can be arranged at additional cost: food service, educational programs, walking tours, and use of audio-visual equipment.

We ask our rental customers to follow the same rules as other visitors. Smoking is allowed in designated outdoor areas only. Children must be supervised at all times. No children's birthday parties.

Please call 269.695.6491 for additional information, or click here to send an e-mail message.