Allerton’s Peony Garden showcases nearly 70 named varieties and thousands of blooms for families to enjoy in the spring
Owned by the University of Illinois, the Allerton Park and Retreat Center in Monticello is billed as one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois. Whoever makes these lists probably visited Allerton during the month of May, when the Peony Garden is at the peak of its flowery magnificence.
Robert Allerton and his family built and maintained the Allerton estate and its gardens, mostly during the 1920s and ’30s, before deeding the property to the University of Illinois in 1946. The peony, already featured in its own garden, was supposedly one of Robert’s favorite flowers. The Peony Garden was revived in the early 2000s following a period of neglect, and thanks to continued financial support from donors it thrives today and is nationally renowned among peony lovers.
Know before you go
— The outdoor areas at Allerton are open most days from 8 a.m.-sunset.
— Peonies most commonly bloom in Illinois around Mother’s Day in mid-May, but the multiple varieties (almost 70!) planted at Allerton generate almost continual bloom from late April all the way into June. Check Allerton’s handy bloom guide to see what other flowers may be blooming during your visit, and follow its social media for updates on the peonies.
— That said, most of the published bloom time information describes what happens during an average Central Illinois spring. The spring of 2024 has bloom times running a little ahead of normal, with many of the peony varieties in full bloom already by Mother’s Day.
— Adjacent to the Peony Garden, the Bulb Garden offers a similar abundance of blooms per step, if that’s your thing. Renewal of this area began in 2016 and the garden is maintained in memory of U of I professor Mark E. Roszkowski. Its design uses principles of landscape architecture from Robert Allerton’s time, and uses both bulbs and annual plants to ensure continuous blooming throughout the season. Other nearby gardens, such as the Triangle Parterre Garden and the Brick Wall Garden, await the enjoyment of flower fans as well.
During your visit
— Closest parking to the Peony Garden is located off Old Timber Road, in the parking lot of the McCraw Family Visitors Center, which officially opened to the public in March 2023 after a year-long renovation. The Visitor Center is now open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and is a self-guided resource with maps, displays, and restrooms. It’s a pleasant refuge from overly warm weather, as well as the place that will help you answer questions like “Mommy, what’s a Fu Dog?” (Fun fact: the building used to be Robert Allerton’s garden shed.) There’s even a small gift shop!
— The Greenhouse Café is located in the Allerton Greenhouse at 515 Old Timber Road and is operated by Blue Dragonfly Catering. It offers classic café refreshments: lunch staples such as sandwiches, wraps, and salads; treats from other local businesses (croughnuts from Central Illinois Bakehouse, frozen custard from Sidney Dairy Barn); a kids menu; and even some alcoholic options (beer, wine, mimosas). Hours vary depending on season; closed on Mondays.
— Thanks to ongoing accessibility efforts at Allerton, the Peony Garden now boasts an accessible path, making it easier for all to navigate. Other accessibility initiatives at Allerton include the purchase in 2024 of power chairs that can be reserved (in advance) by visitors. We were also pleased at our most recent visit to see that the free printed maps of the property now include clearly marked accessible trails.
— Other areas of Allerton’s grounds will probably be more appealing to little ones, either for the fanciful statues, the long gravel paths, or the uninterrupted swaths of grass. The Peony Garden will appeal mostly to budding botanists (ha!) and their grownups. It does contain one famous sculpture, a replica of the Louvre’s “Three Graces” by Germain Pilon, and is located just past the very dramatically situated sculpture of “Adam,” a Rodin replica. If you come to Allerton with young companions, we advise that you subject them to the Peony Garden first, before you break out the snacks and let them loose to explore elsewhere.
— Post-pandemic progress is visible all over Allerton, from its new Visitors Center to its growing Farm School programming and Artisan Village construction. Keep an eye on developments near the main mansion parking lot: the design and construction of an accessible nature trail and possible children’s garden is in the works.
— The grounds at Allerton are FREE to explore, although donations are encouraged. If your family is interested in some of the paid events at Allerton, many of them are planned to coincide with peak bloom time in the Peony Garden. Check Allerton’s Event Schedule to learn more.
Perhaps Allerton’s gardens will inspire you to plant a peony or two of your own. As perennials, peonies reliably come back every year. Some peonies happily last decades in the same spot. They thrive in full sun to part shade, prefer an area with well-drained soil, and stay largely disease-free if you remove the dead foliage in the fall. If the nursery tag says it is resistant to powdery mildew, so much the better. Taller varieties can benefit from some anti-flopping support (like those green rings people sometimes stake above them in the spring); otherwise just leave them alone.
Choose a fragrant variety if you can — they smell heavenly.
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