The Shakespeare Garden , located in Central Park, between the Delacorte Theater, Belvedere Castle, and the Swedish Cottage. The Shakespeare Garden is Central Park’s only rock garden. Inaugurated in 1916 on the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.
 

Located in the south field of the Children’s Garden, it comprised a collection of herbs, flowers, shrubs, and trees flanking a flagstone path. The garden was designed by renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen, who is credited for the Cook County Forest Preserve system and Chicago’s lakefront parks.

One of the many hidden gems of Central Park, the Shakespeare Garden is a lovely spot to “stop and smell the roses”.

The main garden path, which initiates a steep climb from the Cottage grounds, meanders through the central garden area and continues east until it reaches the summit of the rock.

 
Plants in the Shakespeare Garden: Artemisia dracunculus,  Aster novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’ (New England Aster), Aster ????-angliae “Purple Dome” (???? ?????? Aster), Astrantia major (Astrantia),  Astrantia (Astrantia),  Aurinia saxatilis ‘Sunny Border Apricot’ (Basket of Gold),  Aurinia saxatilis,  Baptisia australis (Blue False Indigo), Baptisia australis,  Borago officinalis (Borage) Borago officinalis, Calendula officinalis (Marigold) officinalis, Catananche caerulea (Cupid’s-dart) Catananche,  Fritillaria persica “???????”,  Geranium sanguineum ‘Johnson’s Blue’ (Bloody Geranium),  Hemerocallis fulva (Fulvous Daylily) Hemerocallis fulva, Hyacinthoides non-scripta (Hyacinth), Hyacinthoides ??-scripta, Hydrangea anomala ssp. Petiolaris (Climbing Hydrangea), Petiolaris,  Ilex aquifolium (English Holly) , Iris reticulata, Iris x germanica (Fleur-de-lis) Iris germanica,  Primula vulgaris (English primrose) ??????? vulgaris, Pulmonaria saccharata ‘Mrs. Pulmonaria saccharata , Ranunculus acris ‘Flora Pleno’ (Meadow Buttercup).