Jane Austen Garden

This garden was created to inspire—and to transport.

We call it our Jane Austen Garden, inspired by the timeless beauty and quiet elegance found in the English countryside. With Iowa City recognized as a UNESCO City of Literature, it felt only fitting to create a space that celebrates one of history's most beloved authors. Throughout the garden, you'll find plants that Jane Austen herself would have known and referenced in her novels—species that have graced gardens for generations and continue to captivate today.

Our hope was to create a place that feels ageless.

Designed as a garden for every season, it is filled with fragrant honeysuckle vines, 'Miss Molly' butterfly bushes, Eastern redbud trees, lavender, rosemary, and lemongrass. The pathways are softened with lamb's ear and Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow,' while roses, salvia, allium, and carefully chosen annuals create layers of color throughout the growing season. Look for Queen Lime and Dusty Rose zinnias, blush pink cosmos, apricot strawflowers, eucalyptus, and more. In spring, irises welcome visitors with their first blooms, while chrysanthemums carry the garden into autumn.

Just as important as the flowers are the visitors they attract. This garden was planted to provide a haven for butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators. From this garden, the sunset views are magical. We hope this garden offers a sense of wonder—a place to slow down, breathe deeply, and imagine yourself wandering through the pages of a Jane Austen novel.

We hope, if only for a moment, it has carried you there.