Spring is here, and what better way to celebrate the season than by exploring some of the beautiful gardens and arboretums around New Jersey! Whether you're a nature lover or just looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, these destinations offer a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Here are some of our favorite gardens and arboretums to visit in New Jersey this spring.
First on the list is the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township. This 127-acre arboretum is home to a variety of gardens, including a rock garden, a rose garden, and a medicinal garden. The arboretum's hiking trails offer a chance to enjoy the beauty of nature while getting some exercise. Remember to check out the historic Colonial Revival mansion, which now serves as the arboretum's visitor center.
Next up is the Sayen House and Gardens in Hamilton. This hidden gem features a beautiful pond, a Japanese garden, and an azalea garden. The gardens are also home to various sculptures and a charming gazebo. If you're a fan of photography, this is a great spot to capture some stunning shots.
If you're looking for a garden with a bit of history, check out the Van Vleck House and Gardens in Montclair. This 12-acre estate was once the home of a prominent family and has been beautifully preserved. The gardens feature a variety of plantings, including a greenhouse and a walled garden. Take a guided tour to learn more about the history of the estate and its gardens.
Another great choice is the Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit. This 13-acre arboretum features a variety of gardens, including a butterfly garden, a wildflower garden, and a fragrance garden. The arboretum also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts and workshops. It's a great spot to spend a lazy afternoon with family and friends.
These are just some of our favorite gardens and arboretums to visit around New Jersey this spring. Remember to keep reading for a full list!
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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
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1 Medford Leas,,
Medford, NJ 08055
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http://bartonarboretum.org
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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
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Park Ave. & Lake St.,
Newark, New Jersey 07102
- Website
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https://www.essexcountyparks.org/parks/branch-brook-park
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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
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324 Forest Drive South,,
Short Hills, NJ 07078
- Phone
- 973.376.3587
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http://www.hartshornarboretum.org
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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.
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61 Jockey Hollow Road,,
Bernardsville, New Jersey 07924
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https://www.crossestategardens.org/
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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.
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Holmdel Park,,
44 Longstreet Rd,,
Holmdel, NJ 07733
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https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?id=2763
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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
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352 Red Hill Road,,
Middletown, New Jersey 07748
- Phone
- (732) 671-6050
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http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2518
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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
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80 US Highway 206,
Hillsborough, NJ 08844-4102
- Phone
- (908) 722-3700
- Website
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http://www.dukefarms.org
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Durand-Hedden House and Garden is an historic house museum that finds interesting ways to explore our community's fascinating past - through nature, architecture, music, food, social life, local history, reenactments and participatory activities - an
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523 Ridgewood Road,,
Maplewood, New Jersey 07040
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https://www.durandhedden.org
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Established in 1959 through a joint effort of the New Jersey Rose Society and the Essex County Parks Department, the Rose Garden has over 500 rose bushes of nearly 150 varieties in 25 separate beds.
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Watchung Avenue,,
Bloomfield, New Jersey 07003
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https://www.essexcountyparks.org/parks/brookdale-park
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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.
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353 East Hanover Avenue,,
Morristown, New Jersey 07960
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http://www.arboretumfriends.org
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Greater Newark Conservancy promotes environmental stewardship to improve the quality of life in New Jerseys urban communities.
- Address
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32 Prince St,
Newark, NJ 07103
- Website
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http://www.citybloom.org
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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.
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274 Old Short Hills Road,,
Short Hills, NJ 07078
- Phone
- 973-258-4026
- Website
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http://greenwoodgardens.org
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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
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18 Fairgrounds Road,
Hamilton, New Jersey 08619,
Mercer County,
- Phone
- (609) 586-0616
- Website
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http://www.groundsforsculpture.org/
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Herrontown Woods, is located in the northeast part of Princeton and is set on 142 acres of wooded land. A system of more than three miles of color-coded trails enables the visitor to explore the forest ecosystem and provides an insight into the history of the tract as well.
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600 Snowden Ln,,
Princeton, New Jersey 08540
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https://www.princetonnj.gov/facilities/facility/details/herrontownwoods-15
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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
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1020 New Jersey 31,,
Lebanon, New Jersey 08833
- Website
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https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/depts/parks/guides/parkareas.htm
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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
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725 Pines Lake Drive West,
Wayne, NJ 07470
- Website
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http://www.laurelwoodarboretum.org/
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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
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11 Layton Road,
Far Hills, New Jersey 07931
- Phone
- (908) 234-2677
- Website
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http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/parksfacilities/buck/LJBuck.html
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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
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1410 Wabash Ave,,
Linwood, NJ,
- Website
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https://linwoodarboretum.org/
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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
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55 Stockton St.,
Princeton, NJ 08540
- Phone
- (609) 924-8144 ext. 106
- Website
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http://morven.org
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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
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Morris Rd,
Ringwood, New Jersey 07456,
Passaic County
- Phone
- (973) 962-7527
- Website
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http://www.njbg.org
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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
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474 Upper Mountain Ave,
Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
- Phone
- 973-783-5974
- Website
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http://presbyirisgardens.org
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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
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165 Hobart Avenue,,
Summit, New Jersey 07901
- Phone
- (908) 273-8787
- Website
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http://www.reeves-reedarboretum.org
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A public garden dedicated to cultivating inquisitive minds, great plants, and inspired gardening through educational exploration and enjoyment.
- Address
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112 Ryders Lane,,
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
- Phone
- 732-932-8451
- Website
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http://www.rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu
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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
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900 Lakewood Avenue,
Lakewood, NJ 08701
- Phone
- 732-987-2373
- Website
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http://www.georgian.edu/arboretum
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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
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21 Van Vleck Street,
Montclair, NJ 07042
- Phone
- 973-744-4752
- Website
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http://vanvleck.org
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The Wagner Farm Arboretum was established in 2004 as a non-profit organization, the Arboretum seeks to enrich, educate and inspire the community by increasing environmental awareness and recreational opportunities. Our programs include; The Giving Project where produce is sown, grown and harvested in the Giving Garden, Coddington Farm Garden, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension Farms in Pittstown, NJ and then donated to area food pantries; the WFA Community Garden; and the Children's Garden.
- Address
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197 Mountain Ave,,
Warren, New Jersey 07059
- Website
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https://www.wfafnj.org/
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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
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300 Longview Rd,
Chester, NJ 07931
- Phone
- (973) 326-7600
- Website
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https://willowwoodarboretum.org/
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