New Jersey Public Gardens
New Jersey is fortunate to have public gardens that showcase the full range of spring-blooming plants suited to the area. The six gardens featured were formerly private estates, each with its own unique botanical history. They have preserved elements of the original garden layouts, and some of the plants, especially shrubs and trees, from the original family owners still thrive. These historic gardens come alive with an abundance of colorful and fragrant plants each spring.
New Jersey Public Gardens
The New Jersey Botanical Garden at Skylands
- Location: Ringwood, NJ
- Description: Located in the Ramapo Mountains, this 96-acre garden is part of the 1,119-acre Skylands estate. It features formal gardens, a botanical collection, and scenic views of the surrounding mountains.
- Features: Formal gardens, perennial borders, woodlands, seasonal events, mansion tours.
Duke Farms Gardens
- Location: Hillsborough, NJ
- Description: Duke Farms covers over 1,000 acres and is dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship. The property, originally owned by tobacco heiress Doris Duke, features sustainable gardens, native plantings, meadows, lakes, and an orchid greenhouse. It is a model of land stewardship and provides visitors with opportunities to learn about environmental conservation.
- Features: Native plantings, sustainability demonstrations, orchid greenhouse, lakes, walking and biking trails, birdwatching areas.Rutgers Gardens
- Location: New Brunswick, NJ
- Description: Part of Rutgers University, this 180-acre garden features a variety of thematic gardens, including a beautiful ornamental tree collection, herb garden, and rhododendron garden. It's used for educational purposes but is open to the public for nature walks and gardening inspiration.
- Features: Themed gardens, bamboo forest, trails, plant sales, education programs.
Presby Memorial Iris Gardens
- Location: Montclair, NJ
- Description: This garden is home to one of the most extensive collections of irises in the world, with over 10,000 irises in bloom during the peak season. Established in 1927, it offers a visual feast of color and variety.
- Features: Iris gardens, walking paths, historical buildings, annual bloom season (mid-May to June).
Frelinghuysen Arboretum
- Location: Morristown, NJ
- Description: This 127-acre arboretum is known for its woodlands, meadows, and gardens that serve as a regional center for horticultural education. It includes formal gardens, a rose garden, and scenic trails.
- Features: Formal gardens, trails, workshops, seasonal events, mansion tours.
Deep Cut Gardens
- Location: Middletown, NJ
- Description: Located in the Monmouth County Park System, Deep Cut Gardens covers 54 acres and is dedicated to home gardeners. It features a wide variety of plant collections, a koi pond, a greenhouse, and a rose garden.
- Features: Rose parterre, bonsai collection, koi pond, greenhouse, horticultural displays.
Greenwood Gardens
- Location: Short Hills, NJ
- Description: A historically significant garden that blends formal Italianate gardens with natural woodlands. Greenwood Gardens covers 28 acres and is a peaceful retreat with terraced gardens, sculptures, and winding paths.
- Features: Italianate terraces, sculptures, fountains, ponds, woodland walks.
Leonard J. Buck Garden
- Location: Far Hills, NJ
- Description: This 33-acre garden is one of the premier rock gardens in the eastern U.S. It features rock outcrops, naturalistic plantings, and a wide variety of native and exotic plants in a wooded setting.
- Features: Rock garden, native and exotic plants, guided tours, woodland walks.
Sayen House and Gardens
- Location: Hamilton, NJ
- Description: Spanning 30 acres, this garden is a favorite spot for weddings and peaceful nature walks. It features ponds, gazebos, bridges, and a wide variety of flowers, including a notable collection of azaleas and rhododendrons.
- Features: Ponds, gazebos, bridges, seasonal flowers, historical house tours.
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum and Gardens
- Location: Morristown, NJ
- Description: This historic garden surrounds a 19th-century mansion and is known for its heirloom roses and formal garden design. The garden also includes a variety of perennials and annuals.
- Features: Heirloom roses, formal garden design, historical museum, seasonal events.
Cross Estate Gardens
- Location: Bernardsville, NJ
- Description: Part of the Morristown National Historical Park, this garden covers 6 acres and includes a formal garden, a native garden, and a walled garden. It's maintained by volunteers and offers a tranquil setting.
- Features: Walled garden, formal garden, native plant garden, historical significance, volunteer opportunities.
Willowood Arboretum
- Location: Chester, NJ
- Description: This 131-acre arboretum offers a diverse collection of trees and shrubs, including magnolias, lilacs, and dogwoods. Willowwood is known for its open meadows, gardens, and scenic vistas.
- Features: Tree and shrub collections, meadows, themed gardens, walking trails, historical structures.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum
- Location: Summit, NJ
- Description: A 13.5-acre garden featuring a mix of formal gardens and woodlands. It offers seasonal displays, a daffodil bowl, a rose garden, and various educational programs.
- Features: Formal gardens, daffodil bowl, rose garden, seasonal displays, educational programs.
Van Vleck House & Gardens
- Location: Montclair, NJ
- Description: This historic estate features a Mediterranean-style mansion surrounded by 5.8 acres of formal gardens and woodlands. The garden is open to the public and includes a variety of seasonal blooms.
- Features: Mediterranean-style gardens, seasonal blooms, walking paths, educational events.
Colonial Park Gardens
- Location: Somerset, NJ
- Description: Part of the Somerset County Park system, Colonial Park Gardens includes a rose garden, a fragrance and sensory garden, and an arboretum. It's a peaceful spot for garden enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
- Features: Rose garden, fragrance and sensory garden, arboretum, walking paths, horticultural displays.
These gardens provide a wide range of experiences, from formal gardens and arboretums to historical estates and specialized plant collections. They reflect New Jersey's rich horticultural diversity and offer opportunities for both relaxation and education.