First and foremost, spending time in nature and visiting gardens offers an excellent way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of work, technology, and social obligations. Gardens provide a peaceful retreat where you can disconnect from the constant noise and reconnect with the natural world. The serene ambiance and gentle sounds of birdsong and rustling leaves can instantly calm your mind and offer a much-needed respite from stress.
Benefits of Visiting a Garden
Spending time in gardens can positively impact your physical health. Walking through a park, exploring its paths, and admiring its plants and flowers can be a great form of exercise. It promotes cardiovascular health, improves flexibility, and helps strengthen muscles. Moreover, exposure to natural sunlight in gardens can boost your vitamin D levels, which are essential for maintaining healthy bones and a strong immune system.
Scents to Boost Your Mood
Gardens are a feast for the senses, with scents, colors, and textures that can invigorate and uplift your mood. The vibrant hues of blooming flowers, delicate petals, and intoxicating fragrances all contribute to a sensory experience that is both visually and emotionally rewarding.
Studies have shown that exposure to natural environments triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, improving mood and overall well-being. Visiting a garden can be a powerful antidote for those experiencing anxiety, depression, or simply the blues.
Gardens can also be a source of inspiration and creativity. Many artists, writers, and thinkers throughout history have found solace and stimulation in the natural world. The peaceful surroundings and the harmonious balance of colors and shapes can ignite your imagination and unlock your creative potential.
So whether you’re a professional artist seeking inspiration or simply looking for a fresh perspective, gardens can provide the perfect setting for your creativity to soar.
Nature Conservation
Visiting gardens also contributes to environmental awareness and conservation efforts. For example, many gardens serve as sanctuaries for endangered plants and wildlife, providing a haven for species threatened by habitat destruction and climate change. By supporting and visiting gardens, you become an advocate for biodiversity protection and a steward of the natural world. Additionally, gardens often promote sustainable practices such as composting, water conservation, and organic gardening, inspiring visitors to adopt them.
Education
Gardens offer a unique opportunity for learning, making them an ideal destination for families, students, and anyone interested in deepening their knowledge of botany and horticulture. Many gardens host workshops, guided tours, and interactive exhibits that offer insights into the fascinating worlds of plants, ecosystems, and gardening techniques.
Exploring a garden can be a hands-on learning experience that deepens your understanding and appreciation of the natural world.
- New Jersey Botanical Garden Ringwood, NJ http://www.njbg.org/
- Van Vleck House & Gardens Montclair, NJ
- Laurelwood Arboretum, Wayne, NJ http://www.laurelwoodarboretum.org/
- Rutgers Gardens North Brunswick, NJ http://rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu/
- New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY
Long Valley Peonies
Long Valley Peonies at 227 West Mill Road, Long Valley, NJ, 07853
(908) 867-8189 lvpeoniesnj@gmail.com
Farm visits are $10 a person, Cash. Children under 5 are free.
Hours: 9-6 daily, rain or shine, Saturdays, Sundays & Memorial Day included until the bloom is finished. Opening Saturday, May 25, 2024.
Peonies are for sale at our farmstand. We accept Cash, Venmo, and PayPal. Sorry, no credit/debit cards or checks. (There is a Service fee on Venmo/PayPal of $1.25 for less than or equal to $55 and $2 for greater than $55.)
Leonard J. Buck Garden
Leonard Buck Garden is at 11 Layton Rd, Far Hills, NJ. We enjoyed exploring the grounds, which are labeled with plant names. Some paths lead to a loop adventure.
I felt like I was in a jungle, walking into a treehouse. It is a great place to capture beautiful photos, take a short walk, or sit to listen to the sounds of nature. https://www.somersetcountyparks.org/parksfacilities/buck/LJBuck.html
Greenwood Gardens
Greenwood Gardens is at 274 Old Short Hills Rd., Short Hills, NJ 07078. http://greenwoodgardens.org/
Frelinghuysen Arboretum
353 Hanover Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960. The Arboretum is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to dusk and is free for the public. We went during Cherry Blossom season, and the trees were filled with beautiful pink blossoms. The tulips were in full bloom, in red, yellow, orange, and white, filling the charming landscape.
Frelinghuysen Arboretum features a diverse array of plant life throughout its grounds. In addition, there are other trails for hiking and biking. The Arboretum provides 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 relax to take in the many species of birds and plants. I was honored to witness my brother’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 book a private event, please 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 a day trip where you can spend hours looking at the fantastic sculptures. There are over 270 sculptures on 42 acres. This is truly a garden with many wildflowers, trees, and gigantic artwork surrounding it.
You don’t need to leave the grounds to eat; Rat’s Restaurant offers a variety of food. We enjoyed the beautiful peacocks that roamed around unbothered by the guests. Tickets are required, so reserve a spot online in advance.
As always, check their website or Groupon for discounts or become a member. Once you come here, you will be back. Wear comfortable shoes and prepare to be amazed by the beautiful art; you will spend a few hours here, but you may still not see all the sculptures. Events are held regularly with new exhibits. Check the website before you go! Enjoy.
http://www.groundsforsculpture.org
Cross Estate Gardens
Check out my blog on Cross Estate Gardens.
DUKE FARMS
I enjoyed a wonderful visit to Duke Farms. Check out my blog!
Willowwood Arboretum
Willowwood Arboretum is at 300 Longview Rd., Far Hills, NJ 07931. The property is open from 8 am to 8 pm Monday-Sunday. Entrance and parking are free. It is 13 acres of farmland and has 2,100 native and exotic plants.
The grounds were cleared for farming in the 18th century. The original name was Paradise Farm, but it was renamed Willowwood when the brothers Henry and Robert Tubbs bought the property in 1908. They expanded the farmhouse, which dates back to 1792, and made it their family home.
LONGWOOD GARDENS
Longwood Gardens was a great place to take a road trip with my son. The forecast called for rain, but we went anyway. I am so happy that we didn’t cancel our trip. Longwood is great to visit year-round. They have beautiful displays year-round and host many events. Finally, the rain cleared, and the sun shone.
The Cosmic Experience of Yayoi Kusama at the New York Botanical Garden
Japanese Contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama has a fantastic exhibit. Visit the NYBG and experience this wonderful art that captures Kusama’s childhood experiences in greenhouses and fields. The colors, patterns, and life cycles of plants and flowers are breathtaking. I enjoyed the vast and colorful statues. I felt like Alice in Wonderland, stepping into a garden fantasy. The New York Botanical Garden is located at 2900 Southern Blvd, The Bronx, NY 10458, and its hours of operation are Tuesday-Sunday, 10 am-6 pm.
Inspired by Gardens I have Visited
My book, Let Yourself Bloom: Affirmations to Nourish Your Spirit, along with its accompanying guided journal and coffee-table edition, is designed to fill your space—and your spirit—with daily encouragement. Each page is a gentle reminder to pause, reflect, and let yourself bloom—inside and out.
Order your copy here 
Grey Towers
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