Beautiful Gardens to Visit

During the summer of 2017, I wanted to get out and practice more of my nature photography. I went to a search engine and typed “Gardens in New Jersey.” There were many to choose from. To my surprise, there was a garden less than ten minutes from my job. My first visit was to Greenwood Gardens for a photography class. I enjoyed walking the grounds and taking beautiful photos of the flowers and sculptures surrounding the amazing estate.

I planned a few family day trips to Grounds for Sculpture, Freeman Gardens, and Frelinghuysen Arboretum. After visiting the lovely gardens, we were hooked and couldn’t wait to return! These were truly secret gardens I discovered in New Jersey.

Before visiting the following gardens, always check their websites and Groupon for any special entry rates. Be sure to check the rules and opening and closing times, bring water, and wear sunscreen. The following gardens host workshops and private and public events. Check the website before your visit. There are fun activities for all ages. Below are more gardens to explore this spring and throughout the year!

• New Jersey Botanical Garden Ringwood, NJ http://www.njbg.org/
• Van Vleck House & Gardens Montclair, NJ https://vanvleck.org/
• Laurelwood Arboretum, Wayne, NJ http://www.laurelwoodarboretum.org/
• Rutgers Gardens North Brunswick, NJ http://rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu/
• New York Botanical Garde,n Bronx, NY https://www.nybg.org/
• The Gardens at Mill Fleurs Point Pleasant, PA https://www.thegardensatmillfleurs.com/
• Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, New Hope, PA https://bhwp.org/
• Chanticleer, a pleasure garde,n Wayne, PA http://www.chanticleergarden.org/
• Longwood Gardens, Chester County, PA https://longwoodgardens.org/

Greenwood Gardens

274 Old Short Hills Rd., Short Hills, NJ 07078. The garden is surrounded by the South Mountain Reservation. During my trip, I saw well-preserved stone sculptures, amazing architecture, beautiful flowers, and chipmunks running through the grounds. The weather was perfect during my visit, and I was able to capture great photos from my photography class. Greenwood Gardens is truly a hidden gem that you should experience. You can visit the gardens by train or car. The Garden is open Sunday- Wednesday 10:00 am -5:00 pm, rain or shine, but will close during strong storms. Admission for Adults is $10, 65+ and Students with ID is $5, and Children under 12 are free. Greenwood Garden allows amateur photography (nonprofessional ) to take pictures with cell phones or pocket-sized cameras.

There are many events and tours held at the garden. Take a step back into time and enjoy your visit. https://www.flickr.com/photos/keyingramphotography/albums/72157686674344131
http://greenwoodgardens.org/

Frelinghuysen Arboretum

353 Hanover Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960. The Arboretum is open daily from 8:00 am to dusk and is free to the public. We visited during Cherry Blossom season, and the trees were filled with beautiful pink blossoms. The tulips were in full bloom, with red, yellow, orange, and white colors that filled the charming landscape. Frelinghuysen Arboretum offers many different types of plant life around the grounds. There are trails for hiking and biking. The Arboretum offers several programs for all ages. Check the website and enjoy your visit.
https://www.arboretumfriends.org

Freeman Gardens

644 Hawthorne Ave., Glen Ridge, NJ 07028. The garden is a great place to view the roses or to relax and take in the many species of birds and plants. I was honored to witness my brother’s and sister-in-law’s wedding. If you’re looking to hold a small, intimate outdoor event, Freeman Garden is a perfect place. Entry to the garden is free. To hold a private event, you will need to call for further information.

The Grounds for Sculpture

181 Fairgrounds Rd., Hamilton, NJ 08619. We spent two hours during my visit and still missed many sculptures. This is definitely a day trip where you can spend hours looking at the amazing sculptures. There are over 270 sculptures on 42 acres. This is truly a garden with many wildflowers and trees, with gigantic artwork surrounding them. You don’t need to leave the grounds to eat; Rat’s Restaurant offers many different varieties of food on the menu. We enjoyed the beautiful peacocks that roamed around, unbothered by the guests. Tickets are required, so reserve a slot online in advance. Tickets are timed; please visit the site for further information. Admission price for adults is $18, and kids under 5 are free. As always, check their website or Groupon for any discounts or become a member. Once you come here, you will be back. Wear comfortable shoes and prepare to be amazed by the wonderful art. You will spend a few hours here and still may not see all the sculptures. Events are held here regularly with new exhibits; check the website before you go! Enjoy.
http://www.groundsforsculpture.org