25+ Gardens and Arboretums You Should Visit This Spring!

Updated: Jul 1, 2023 Short URL: gonj.me/2021gardens

Spring is such a special time of year; the days are getting longer, the birds come back to sing a particular song, flowers are blooming, baby animals start poking their heads out to say hello. it would also be the perfect time for you to explore a new garden around the Garden State! :)

Below you will find some of the most beautiful public gardens or arboretums around the great Garden State. We actually found many of them through a great group called Garden State Gardens. If there are any missing below, please let us know.


view by: County Location Name View On Map


Atlantic County, Bergen County, Burlington County, Essex County, Hunterdon County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, Ocean County, Passaic County, Somerset County, Union County


Atlantic County


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Linwood Arboretum

Northfield, Atlantic County, NJ

The focus of the Linwood Arboretum is educational, allowing the public to become familiar with uncommon or rare woody plants that are particularly suited to home landscaping. The Arboretum is located 1410 Wabash Ave, Linwood, NJ,


Address
1410 Wabash Ave,, Linwood, NJ,

Website
https://linwoodarboretum.org/


Bergen County


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Richard W. DeKorte Park

Lyndhurst, Bergen County, NJ

Featuring 3.5 miles of walking paths, panoramic views and birds galore, this one-square-mile park is the center of New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) activities. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk.


Address
1 DeKorte Park,, Lyndhurst, NJ 07032

Website
https://www.njsea.com/parks-and-trails/


Burlington County


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Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve

Medford, Burlington County, NJ

The Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve of Medford Leas is a unique blend of accessible public gardens, collections, and preserved natural areas set amidst private residential space. With campuses in Medford and Lumberton, NJ, spanning more than 200


Address
1 Medford Leas,, Medford, NJ 08055

Website
http://bartonarboretum.org


Essex County


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Branch Brook Park

Newark, Essex County, NJ

Branch Brook Park, the nation's first county park, is located in the North Ward of Newark, between the neighborhoods of Forest Hill and Roseville. A portion of the park is also located within the Township of Belleville.


Address
Park Ave. & Lake St., Newark, New Jersey 07102

Website
https://www.essexcountyparks.org/parks/branch-brook-park


Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary

Short Hills, Essex County, NJ

The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum is a historic woodlands garden and educational institution. We promote an understanding of the relationship between people and the environment through programs that integrate arts, sciences and the humanities.


Address
324 Forest Drive South,, Short Hills, NJ 07078

Phone
973.376.3587

Website
http://www.hartshornarboretum.org


Greenwood Gardens

Short Hills, Essex County, NJ

Greenwood Gardens is preserving the gardens, architecture and landscape of Greenwood for the education and delight of the public. Greenwood fosters an appreciation of gardens and a respect for nature by working with others to promote conservation.


Address
274 Old Short Hills Road,, Short Hills, NJ 07078

Phone
973-258-4026

Website
http://greenwoodgardens.org


Presby Memorial Iris Gardens

Montclair, Essex County, NJ

Located at the base of the 7 1/2 acre Mountainside Park, the iris gardens contain over 14,000 irises of approximately 3,000 varieties and produce over 100,000 blooms over the course of the season.


Address
474 Upper Mountain Ave, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043

Phone
973-783-5974

Website
http://presbyirisgardens.org


Van Vleck House and Gardens

Montclair, Essex County, NJ

The Van Vleck House & Gardens originated as a 12-acre private estate more than 140 years ago when Joseph Van Vleck Sr and his family moved to Montclair from Brooklyn in 1868.


Address
21 Van Vleck Street, Montclair, NJ 07042

Phone
973-744-4752

Website
http://vanvleck.org


Hunterdon County


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Hunterdon County Arboretum

Lebanon, Hunterdon County, NJ

Throughout the Arboretum, you will see a variety of trees, shrubs, and annuals and perennials, including both native and nonnative species. The Arboretum also contains approximately 20,000 square feet of display gardens.


Address
1020 New Jersey 31,, Lebanon, New Jersey 08833

Website
https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/depts/parks/guides/parkareas.htm


Mercer County


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Grounds For Sculpture

Trenton, Mercer County, NJ

Grounds For Sculpture, a 35-acre sculpture park and museum, has captivated visitors since 1992, and has only gained in popularity as more of the public discovers its tranquil setting and engaging sculpture.


Address
18 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, New Jersey 08619, Mercer County,

Phone
(609) 586-0616

Website
http://www.groundsforsculpture.org/


Morven Museum & Garden

Princeton, Mercer County, NJ

A National Historic Landmark, Morven is situated on five pristine acres in the heart of Princeton, New Jersey. This former New Jersey Governor's Mansion showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Garden State through regular exhibitions.


Address
55 Stockton St., Princeton, NJ 08540

Phone
(609) 924-8144 ext. 106

Website
http://morven.org


Robert A. Winters Arboretum at Meadow Lakes

Hightstown, Mercer County, NJ

Located just minutes from Princeton, the stunning 100-acre arboretum boasts a classical style, mature with lush trees, shrubs and under-story plantings.


Address
300 Meadow Lakes,, East Windsor, New Jersey 08520

Website
http://arbnet.org/morton-register/robert-winters-arboretum-meadow-lakes


Sayen House & Gardens

Hamilton, Mercer County, NJ

Sayen House & Gardens offers so much beauty and enjoyment for anyone who visits.


Address
155 Hughes Dr, Hamilton, New Jersey 08690

Website
https://www.hamiltonnj.com/sayengardens


Middlesex County


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Rutgers Gardens - New Brunswick

New Brunswick, Middlesex County, NJ

A public garden dedicated to cultivating inquisitive minds, great plants, and inspired gardening through educational exploration and enjoyment.


Address
112 Ryders Lane,, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519

Phone
732-932-8451

Website
http://www.rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu


Monmouth County


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David C. Shaw Arboretum

Holmdel, Monmouth County, NJ

The David C. Shaw Arboretum at Holmdel Park was established in the fall of 1963. Its 22 acres contain hundreds of species, cultivars and varieties of ornamental trees and shrubs.


Address
Holmdel Park,, 44 Longstreet Rd,, Holmdel, NJ 07733

Website
https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?id=2763


Deep Cut Gardens

Middletown, Monmouth County, NJ

Deep Cut Gardens is simply beautiful. You will find many walking trails, beautiful landscaping, a rose garden, sitting benches and more. They even have special programs throughout the year.


Address
352 Red Hill Road,, Middletown, New Jersey 07748

Phone
(732) 671-6050

Website
http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2518


F. Bliss Price Arboretum and Wildlife Sanctuary

Eatontown, Monmouth County, NJ

The Bliss Arboretum boasts many acres of paths through woodlands managed conservatively by the Eatontown Shade Tree Commission. Groves of many varieties of tree grace these spaces and provide a haven for wildlife of many kinds.


Address
62-52 County Rte 547,, Eatontown, New Jersey 07724

Website
https://eatontownnj.com/facilities/facility/details/Bliss-Price-Arboretum-and-Wildlife-Sanct-1


Morris County


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Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center

Chester, Morris County, NJ

Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center was known originally as "Merchiston Farm," the home of William and Martha Brookes Hutcheson from 1911 to 1959.


Address
170 Longview Road,, Chester, New Jersey 07931

Website
https://www.morrisparks.net/index.php/parks/bamboo-brook


Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Morristown, Morris County, NJ

The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, a lovely 127 acre tract now surrounded by busy highways and office parks was once Whippany Farm. This estate was bequeathed to Morris County in 1969.


Address
353 East Hanover Avenue,, Morristown, New Jersey 07960

Website
http://www.arboretumfriends.org


Willowwood Arboretum

Chester, Morris County, NJ

Willowwood Arboretum is open free to the public daily, 365 days yearly from 8am to dusk. Visitors are invited to enjoy the gardens Spring through Fall.


Address
300 Longview Rd, Chester, NJ 07931

Phone
(973) 326-7600

Website
https://willowwoodarboretum.org/


Ocean County


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Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum of Georgian Court University

Lakewood, Ocean County, NJ

Enjoy the four historic themed gardens of the former George Jay Gould estate, now a National Historic Landmark and the campus of Georgian Court University.


Address
900 Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701

Phone
732-987-2373

Website
http://www.georgian.edu/arboretum


Passaic County


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Laurelwood Arboretum

Wayne, Passaic County, NJ

Laurelwood Arboretum is a 30-acre botanically diverse property located in Wayne Township in northern New Jersey. Laurelwood features woodland trails and gardens, wildlife, two ponds, streams and hundreds of varieties of rhododendrons.


Address
725 Pines Lake Drive West, Wayne, NJ 07470

Website
http://www.laurelwoodarboretum.org/


New Jersey State Botanical Garden

Ringwood, Passaic County, NJ

From the delicate shades of a tiny wildflower to the vibrant colors of massed annual plantings, Skylands is a place of beauty in any season. Here you can wander amid the elegance of formal gardens, or along gentle paths winding through the woods.


Address
Morris Rd, Ringwood, New Jersey 07456, Passaic County

Phone
(973) 962-7527

Website
http://www.njbg.org


Somerset County


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Colonial Park Gardens

Somerset, Somerset County, NJ

The Gardens of Colonial Park offers a variety of amazing horticultural attractions including a rose garden, fragrance and sensory garden, perennial garden and arboretum.


Address
156 Mettlers Rd, Somerset, New Jersey 08873

Website
http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/activities/gardens/Gardens.html


Cross Estate Gardens

Bernardsville, Somerset County, NJ

The Gardens comprise formal and native gardens, a wisteria-covered pergola, and a mountain laurel allee. The Cross Estate is open daily from 8am to 8pm in the Summer. Parking is free, and there are no entry fees.


Address
61 Jockey Hollow Road,, Bernardsville, New Jersey 07924

Website
https://www.crossestategardens.org/


Duke Farms

Hillsborough, Somerset County, NJ

Large estate garden in Hillsborough, whose features include a lake and other water features, a sycamore allee, and barns. Many outdoor activities and events are available.


Address
80 US Highway 206, Hillsborough, NJ 08844-4102

Phone
(908) 722-3700

Website
http://www.dukefarms.org


Leonard J. Buck Garden

Far Hills, Somerset County, NJ

Leonard J. Buck Garden is one of the premier rock gardens in the eastern United States consisting of a series of alpine and woodland garden areas situated in a 29-acre wooded stream valley.


Address
11 Layton Road, Far Hills, New Jersey 07931

Phone
(908) 234-2677

Website
http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/parksfacilities/buck/LJBuck.html


Union County


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Reeves-Reed Arboretum

Summit, Union County, NJ

A 13.5 acre National Historic Landmark featuring award-winning gardens and woodland trails, and offering horticultural and environmental education programs. (photo credit:Reeves-Reed Arboretum)


Address
165 Hobart Avenue,, Summit, New Jersey 07901

Phone
(908) 273-8787

Website
http://www.reeves-reedarboretum.org

About the author - Jeff C.

 Jeff C.
Jeff C. is a web developer in Central New Jersey that has a passion for helping folks get outside and explore NJ. He works on a few Outdoor-centric sites, including GetOutsideNJ, the NJ Outdoor Map, ExploringAllaire, and more. Please visit getoutsidedevelopment.com to learn more!

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