Here are some of the finest public gardens in Pennsylvania
Longwood Gardens
- Location: Kennett Square, PA
- Description: Longwood Gardens is one of the premier botanical gardens in the U.S., featuring over 1,000 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows.
- Features: Famous for its fountain shows, conservatories, formal gardens, and stunning seasonal displays, Longwood Gardens also hosts musical performances and educational programs.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- Description: Phipps Conservatory is a historic glasshouse with themed garden displays and seasonal flower shows.
- Features: The gardens showcase exotic plants, a butterfly forest, a sustainable rooftop garden, and several eco-friendly initiatives focused on conservation.
Morris Arboretum
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Description: Morris Arboretum is part of the University of Pennsylvania and spans over 92 acres, blending history with natural beauty.
- Features: The arboretum is home to sculptures, a rose garden, tree canopy walkways, and an extensive collection of rare trees and plants.
Tyler Arboretum
- Location: Media, PA
- Description: One of the oldest arboretums in the northeastern U.S., Tyler Arboretum offers 650 acres of natural landscapes, meadows, and gardens.
- Features: Features include treehouses, a butterfly house, wildflower meadows, and hiking trails through native woodlands.
Chanticleer Garden
- Location: Wayne, PA
- Description: Known as a "pleasure garden," Chanticleer is an intimate, creative garden that emphasizes artistic design over large collections.
- Features: The garden includes themed sections like the Teacup Garden, Ruin Garden, and Asian Woods, with a focus on seasonal plantings and innovative landscape designs.
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Description: Shofuso is a traditional-style Japanese house with an accompanying garden in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park.
- Features: Features include a koi pond, Japanese tea house, and meticulously designed Zen gardens that reflect Japanese horticultural traditions.
The Gardens at Mill Fleurs
- Location: Point Pleasant, PA
- Description: This private botanical garden features rare and unusual plants, with over 12 acres dedicated to naturalistic garden design.
- Features: Known for its woodland gardens, herb gardens, and native plant species, the Gardens at Mill Fleurs offers a serene setting along the Delaware River.
Bartram's Garden
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Description: The oldest surviving botanical garden in North America, Bartram's Garden offers both historical and horticultural significance.
- Features: Visitors can explore historic buildings, meadows, and a beautiful riverside setting while learning about the contributions of early American botanists.
Hershey Gardens
- Location: Hershey, PA
- Description: Hershey Gardens spans 23 acres and features a diverse collection of plants, flowers, and themed gardens.
- Features: Highlights include a rose garden, butterfly atrium, and children's garden, all set against the backdrop of Hersheypark and the famous Hershey kiss-shaped streetlights.
Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens
- Location: Devon, PA
- Description: Jenkins Arboretum specializes in preserving native plants and natural habitats over 46 acres.
- Features: The garden is famous for its rhododendrons, azaleas, wildflowers, and fern collections. The trails offer peaceful, natural woodland walks.
Meadowbrook Farm
- Location: Jenkintown, PA
- Description: Operated by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Meadowbrook Farm offers beautiful gardens and seasonal displays within a historical estate setting.
- Features: The farm features formal gardens, native plant gardens, and a charming greenhouse with an extensive collection of ornamental plants.
Pennsylvania State University Arboretum
- Location: University Park, PA
- Description: Penn State’s arboretum is a newer addition to public gardens in the state, focusing on ecological education and conservation.
- Features: The arboretum includes a pollinator garden, children’s garden, rose and fragrance gardens, and water features designed to support sustainable landscaping.
Italian Water Garden at The Masonic Village
- Location: Elizabethtown, PA
- Description: This beautifully designed Italianate garden features terraces, water features, and formal plantings.
- Features: The garden includes topiary, fountains, ornamental trees, and perennial flower beds, all set within a tranquil retirement community.
Laurel Hill Cemetery
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Description: An official arboretum and historic garden cemetery, Laurel Hill features a mix of horticultural beauty and historic monuments.
- Features: The cemetery offers walking tours, lush garden landscapes, and a stunning view of the Schuylkill River, all among its historical gravesites.
Mount Cuba Center
- Location: Hockessin, DE (just across the Pennsylvania border)
- Description: Mount Cuba Center focuses on native plants of the Appalachian Piedmont region and is dedicated to conservation and naturalistic garden design.
- Features: Visitors can explore woodlands, meadows, and formal gardens, all designed to inspire native plant gardening and ecological stewardship.
These gardens showcase Pennsylvania's rich horticultural heritage and offer a variety of experiences, from formal botanical displays to natural woodlands and historical gardens.