The Linnaeus Teaching Gardens are named after Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778), the "Father of Botany", most honored for his revolutionary plant naming system of genus and species. The Grand Entry area welcomes visitors into the gardens. All areas are accessible via ramps as well as steps. This area begins at the street corner and contains mass plantings of junipers, various flowering shrubs and dwarf crape myrtles

The Entry Garden is a study in the key landscape design principles of rhythm and repetition. Repetition can be seen in the hardscape features of the Garden, including the beams, the pergolas, the benches, the rectangular walkway and the saddle wall, as well as in the plants themselves.

The Standing Rock Entry area is a sunny garden planted with perennials such as graceful grasses, Viburnum, and Andorra junipers surrounded by colorful annuals. This summer’s annuals include perilla (beefstake plant), Supertunia Vista Bubble Gum™ and Wave Purple™ petunias. The upright rocks lend an ancient feel to the Garden, reminiscent of Celtic ruins. Greenleaf holly trees lining the entry ramp are visible in the background.

The Entry Garden was conceived as a welcoming and impressive approach to the heart of the Linnaeus Garden. The designers capitalized on the presence of 90+ year-old Eastern Red Cedars that stand like sentinels in a once grassy, otherwise-bare space that is now a lush pathway to the Garden. The Linnaeus Walk leads visitors into the garden. Repetition in the hardscape and in the plants draws the eye to the bronze statue of Carl Linnaeus standing in the Entry Pavilion.

Paving, walkways, and retaining walls throughout the garden were provided by PaveStone Company. Special care was taken not to disturb the roots of the ancient cedars.