The LEGO Botanical Garden 21353 is one of the largest LEGO Ideas projects to date, priced at $330 and built to add a bit of botanical elegance to your LEGO city. But is it worth the investment, especially when there’s already a Botanical Garden set available? Let’s dig into the details to understand why LEGO has introduced a second version of this set—and what makes it so compelling.
Minifigures
Starting with the characters, this set includes a diverse mix of 12 minifigures. Among them are two gardeners who keep the grounds pristine, a barista to run the café, and even a garden director who bears a striking resemblance to the fan designer (perhaps just a fun coincidence?). The visitors range from families and elderly couples to a photographer and even a person with visual impairment, giving the garden a lively and inclusive vibe. Some of the minifigures have dual expressions, which adds a fun element of surprise, especially the little one who looks slightly disappointed after picking an off-limits flower!
Outdoor Space
The Botanical Garden set is built on two 32×32 green baseplates, making it one of the largest modular sets by footprint (51 by 25 cm). The garden design takes cues from Victorian-style greenhouses, emphasizing symmetry. The main entrance is flanked by colorful flower beds, blooming trees, and a small sidewalk with a charming fountain and Acer palmatum, adding a scenic touch.
Along the garden’s edges are more flower beds with varied floral species, adding vibrancy and depth. A few playful wild animals, including a squirrel and a rabbit, inhabit the scene, creating a dynamic and nature-filled atmosphere. The outdoor space even includes a missing flower near the rabbit, implying it may have been part of its lunch!
Building Structure and Interior
This may be one of LEGO’s most beautifully crafted sets yet. The Victorian-inspired design incorporates white walls, sand green window and door frames, and glass panes that create an airy feel. The building is modular, allowing you to remove the main roof, side roofs, and walls to access the interior.
Inside, the garden’s standout features are two trees—a date palm and a eucalyptus—both fully removable and textured with creative elements like Technic gears. Plants throughout the interior use innovative LEGO elements in unexpected ways: pink roller skates as lupins, epaulets for petals, a white carrot for a mushroom stalk, and even a green banana peel turned upside down to serve as plant leaves. The interior also includes a detailed balcony and a visitor’s desk with headphones for audio tours, adding to the immersive experience.
The side sections bring added charm, with one showcasing an arid cactus garden and the other a cozy café featuring printed menus and details. A small door from the café leads to the terrace area outside, tying together the indoor-outdoor flow of the Botanical Garden.
Why a Second Botanical Garden Set?
You may wonder why LEGO would create a second version of a Botanical Garden. The answer lies in the set’s versatility. The Friends Botanical Garden, which bears a resemblance to this one, was more geared toward younger audiences, featuring an open design rather than a fully enclosed building. With that set set to retire soon, LEGO has chosen to expand on the concept by creating a larger, more intricate set tailored to adult collectors, complete with enclosed structures and a greater focus on realism and detail. Given the popularity of botanical-themed LEGO sets, this set is likely to be a hit among fans of all ages.
Final Thoughts
With 3,792 pieces, this $330 set provides an immersive and satisfying build experience that LEGO fans won’t want to miss. It took me around eight hours to complete the set, which was spread across 29 bags with a single instruction manual and a handful of stickers. I can’t recommend it enough for the intricate details, modular design, and the stunning finished product. Whether you’re a fan of LEGO architecture, nature, or just beautifully designed sets, the Botanical Garden might be the perfect addition to your collection.
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