When the Governor's Residence was relocated to its current location the grounds were occupied by some plants and trees.
Over time several works of art, perimeter fencing and low garden walls were installed and resulted in the development of the current gardens.
 The Heritage Garden was developed and planted in 2001, under the guidance of First Lady Hope Taft.
The purpose of the garden is to depict the diverse geological areas of Ohio.
The new gardens and recent additions such as the solar panels and porous driveway have led to recognition as the grounds being the greenest governor's residence in America.

As one starts from the Carriage House and passes by the northern gates, the Geologic Walk is presented.
This walk circles the entire residence and begins the tour of the geological regions of Ohio.
The Allegheny Garden extends along the length of the property wall from the entry gates on Maryland Avenue to the entry gate on Parkview Avenue.
This garden depicts the northeastern area of Ohio.
Several trees and plants present in this garden are not from the Allegheny region but have remained due to being part of the original landscape.
At the end of this garden is a 16-ton boulder carried by a glacier from Canada to Ohio during the Ice Age.

The rest of the west lawn consists of the Governor's Grove and celebrates the residents of the home.
Each governor has planted a tree in this area, such as the Honey locust planted by C. William O'Neill, the Higan cherry planted by John J. Gilligan, and the six Redbuds planted by Dick Celeste, in honor of his six children.
A Kentucky coffeetree was given to the residence as a gift from Governor Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky.

Extending from the entrance to the residence is the Arrival Plaza, a starting point for anyone touring the premises, which then forms the First Lady's Courtyard.
The Heritage Fountain is a centerpiece to the courtyard.
Symmetrical plantings surround the courtyard and two flagpoles flying the national and state flag frame the western end of the courtyard.

The Meadow Garden and the Woodland Garden frame the southern border of the property.
The County Walk, a collection of stones bearing the names of each county, leads from the drive to the gardens and past the Taxus Hedge into the Dogwood Glade.
A large brick depiction of the Great Seal of Ohio sits to the south of the glade and is a gift from Licking County during the George Voinovich administration.

Past the state seal are the Sister State Cherry Trees given to Ohio from the Saitama Prefecture in Japan.
These trees frame the First Family Patio.
Standing to the south of the patio is a clone of a Tidal Basin Yoshino cherry tree in the District of Columbia.
The tree was formally donated by the United States National Arboretum.

The Water Garden sits to the north of the patio and consists of 6 pools with 2 large urns in the corners to recirculate the water.
The water garden features a diverse collection of aquatic plants.
The Black Swamp Garden is located to the east of the patio, and above this is a crab apple grove with the sculpture named “To Life.”
This sculpture by Alfred Tibor depicts a father with a child on his shoulders, a mother, and two children playing around them.

The Headlands Sand Dune Garden, representing the Lake Erie shoreline, is located to the east of the apple grove, with the Oak Openings Sand Dune, representing the landscape to the west of Toledo, framing the path on the other side.
These gardens represent an area of Ohio made when glaciers deposited a yellow-brown sand from the bed of Lake Erie.
When the glaciers retreated and the lake levels dropped, the sand was left and formed hills and ridges making its own unique habitat.
Some notable plants in this garden are the blue sundial lupine and the prickly pear cactus.
The old willow tree standing in the garden dates back to when the house was built and provides some shade to the garden.

The Alvar Rock Garden & Fen contains two somewhat circular flower beds with large bare slabs of dolomite and limestone.
The larger “island” contains slabs with glacial s
When the Governor's Residence was relocated to its current location the grounds were occupied by some plants and trees. Over time several works of art, perimeter fencing and low garden walls were installed and resulted in the development of the current gardens.  The Heritage Garden was developed and planted in 2001, under the guidance of First Lady Hope Taft. The purpose of the garden is to depict the diverse geological areas of Ohio. The new gardens and recent additions such as the solar panels and porous driveway have led to recognition as the grounds being the greenest governor's residence in America.
As one starts from the Carriage House and passes by the northern gates, the Geologic Walk is presented. This walk circles the entire residence and begins the tour of the geological regions of Ohio. The Allegheny Garden extends along the length of the property wall from the entry gates on Maryland Avenue to the entry gate on Parkview Avenue. This garden depicts the northeastern area of Ohio. Several trees and plants present in this garden are not from the Allegheny region but have remained due to being part of the original landscape. At the end of this garden is a 16-ton boulder carried by a glacier from Canada to Ohio during the Ice Age.
The rest of the west lawn consists of the Governor's Grove and celebrates the residents of the home. Each governor has planted a tree in this area, such as the Honey locust planted by C. William O'Neill, the Higan cherry planted by John J. Gilligan, and the six Redbuds planted by Dick Celeste, in honor of his six children. A Kentucky coffeetree was given to the residence as a gift from Governor Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky.
Extending from the entrance to the residence is the Arrival Plaza, a starting point for anyone touring the premises, which then forms the First Lady's Courtyard. The Heritage Fountain is a centerpiece to the courtyard. Symmetrical plantings surround the courtyard and two flagpoles flying the national and state flag frame the western end of the courtyard.
The Meadow Garden and the Woodland Garden frame the southern border of the property. The County Walk, a collection of stones bearing the names of each county, leads from the drive to the gardens and past the Taxus Hedge into the Dogwood Glade. A large brick depiction of the Great Seal of Ohio sits to the south of the glade and is a gift from Licking County during the George Voinovich administration.
Past the state seal are the Sister State Cherry Trees given to Ohio from the Saitama Prefecture in Japan. These trees frame the First Family Patio. Standing to the south of the patio is a clone of a Tidal Basin Yoshino cherry tree in the District of Columbia. The tree was formally donated by the United States National Arboretum.
The Water Garden sits to the north of the patio and consists of 6 pools with 2 large urns in the corners to recirculate the water. The water garden features a diverse collection of aquatic plants. The Black Swamp Garden is located to the east of the patio, and above this is a crab apple grove with the sculpture named “To Life.” This sculpture by Alfred Tibor depicts a father with a child on his shoulders, a mother, and two children playing around them.
The Headlands Sand Dune Garden, representing the Lake Erie shoreline, is located to the east of the apple grove, with the Oak Openings Sand Dune, representing the landscape to the west of Toledo, framing the path on the other side. These gardens represent an area of Ohio made when glaciers deposited a yellow-brown sand from the bed of Lake Erie. When the glaciers retreated and the lake levels dropped, the sand was left and formed hills and ridges making its own unique habitat. Some notable plants in this garden are the blue sundial lupine and the prickly pear cactus. The old willow tree standing in the garden dates back to when the house was built and provides some shade to the garden.
The Alvar Rock Garden & Fen contains two somewhat circular flower beds with large bare slabs of dolomite and limestone. The larger “island” contains slabs with glacial s
Ohio Governor's Mansion