# The Garden Guide — Chicago Botanic Garden

> Chicago Botanic Garden companion app for exploration and plant discovery. (iPhone/iPad app by Chicago Horticultural Society.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-garden-guide/id566331679 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Chicago Horticultural Society](https://appshunter.io/developer/566331682)
- Category: Education, Reference
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.60/5 from 13 App Store ratings · 14 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 36 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-10-06
- Data updated: 2026-06-05
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-garden-guide/id566331679/reviews.md

## What is The Garden Guide?

When your question is: “How do I find…”
Your answer is: The Garden Guide

Packed with information about the Chicago Botanic Garden, our app is the perfect companion as you navigate, discover, learn about, and explore all 385 acres, 26 gardens, 4 natural areas, and our outstanding collection of 2.6 million plants.

Get to know the Garden with the help of our Walking Tours and Audio Guides. Or, be your own guide--set out on your own and pin your favorite places. Discover what’s in bloom year round and locate any plant on the grounds by its name, color, or characteristics.

Think of it as your personal garden docent--whether you’re visiting the Garden grounds or working in your own backyard.

## Key features

- Navigate 385 acres and 26 gardens
- Discover plant information by name, color, or characteristics
- Access walking tours and audio guides
- Pin favorite locations
- Track seasonal blooms
- Personal garden docent

## Recent user reviews (10 of 14)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-garden-guide/id566331679/reviews.md

### 5/5 — App helped me during my time at the Chicago Botanical Garden.

*2023-05-20*

Nothing much to say. It has a map of the garden, your location in the garden, and places to go in the garden.

### 1/5 — No sound for audio guides

*2020-11-02*

Wow this app needs improvement. The audio guides have no sound on my iPhone 11 Pro Max.

### 4/5 — Ok app but

*2017-06-25*

Great place, good app but needs a gps function to navigate while at this wonderful place

### 5/5 — Fairchild Room is now the Pullman Room.

*2016-03-22*

Good information. A big improvement over the previous version; however there is a mention of the Fairchild Room which is now the Pullman Room in the Classrooms list.

### 1/5 — Broken

*2016-01-16*

Don't advertise the app on your website if basic buttons like the "Back" button don't work. Update your app.

### 5/5 — Garden Guide

*2015-12-11*

This handy app has a map to easily find your way around the gardens, plant info, and fun walking tours.

### 1/5 — Terrible freezes

*2015-10-30*

Looking for an ironwood tree. App just stalls out.  Very poor design and programming.

### 1/5 — Never finishes loading DB

*2014-09-12*

Was really looking forward to using this app but unfortunately it perpetually flashes "Copying Local DB". Hoping I can get it to work as I plan to visit the Gardens soon. Using on a 4S.

### 4/5 — Great!

*2014-06-13*

Terrific app, lots of easy to navigate features. Let's you see events, check maps, even find where particular plants are in bloom.

### 4/5 — Very Happy

*2013-08-03*

We became members again of the Garden after many years. This app couldn't have come at a better time! We love to see what's in bloom and use it often for general information. Like the app and love the Garden!

## Frequently asked questions about The Garden Guide

### What is The Garden Guide?

The Garden Guide is an app designed to help users explore the Chicago Botanic Garden. It provides information on plants, navigation, and features like walking tours and audio guides.

### Does The Garden Guide have ads?

No, The Garden Guide does not contain advertisements.

### What devices support The Garden Guide?

The Garden Guide is available on iPhones and iPads.

### How often is The Garden Guide updated?

The latest version, 2.0.4, was released on January 28, 2025. The app was originally released on October 6, 2012.

### What is the age rating for The Garden Guide?

The Garden Guide has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for younger users.

### Can I find specific plants in The Garden Guide?

Yes, you can locate any plant on the grounds by its name, color, or characteristics within The Garden Guide.

### What learning features does The Garden Guide offer?

The Garden Guide offers walking tours and audio guides to enhance the learning experience about the garden's features and plant collection.

### What do users think of The Garden Guide?

The Garden Guide has an average rating of 3.6 stars from 13 ratings, indicating a mixed but generally positive user reception.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0.4 — 2025-01-28

Style updates and general bug fixes

### 2.0.3 — 2017-07-27

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Updates to Brazil in the Garden

### 2.0.2 — 2017-07-12

Bug Fixes and Updates
Brazil in the Garden Map Overlay

### 2.0.1 — 2017-02-03

- Map Updates
- Bug Fixes

### 2.0.0 — 2016-03-22

More Ways to Search
- Combine colors and characteristics to find plants using our new advanced plant search.
- Locate any building, sculpture, or feature on the grounds—great for classes and self-guided field trips. 
- Dig deep into the specifics of any of the 2.6 million plants on the grounds. Call up fantastic, high-resolution photography, plant descriptions, and gardening details.
- Find any plant on the grounds by common, scientific, or trade name.

New Ways to Customize
- Pin your favorite places, and mark your parking space to find your car instantly.
- Personalize your home screen to quickly view what matters most to you.
- Watch the app come alive and take on the colors of the Garden as you explore it.

Listen, Learn, & Share
- Learn more about your favorite gardens with our audio guides and walking tours.
- See what’s in bloom and where to find it.
- Press and hold on any thumbnail to quickly open a full screen carousel of images.
- Share your favorite plants and places with family and friends via Facebook and e-mail.

## Apps similar to The Garden Guide

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
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## More apps by Chicago Horticultural Society

- [Plants of Concern](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plants-of-concern/id1520429714)
- [Budburst](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/budburst/id1531186881)

All apps by Chicago Horticultural Society: https://appshunter.io/developer/566331682

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-05.*