Brookside Botanical Gardens
Summer is in full swing—the heat is on! Perhaps now’s the time to relax and reflect on your garden’s beauty. And before the kids go back to school and life’s pace quickens, you might want to plan a visit to public gardens for inspiration. (If a garden can look good in August, it’s got secrets to share!) You may discover new plants and ways to rearrange some of your old favorites. You may return to your own garden with fresh eyes.
There are dozens of public gardens in Maryland. How many have you visited? Most of these beautiful public gardens can be enjoyed as easy day trips—to Washington, D.C., southern Pennsylvania, and northern Virginia. So, invite some friends, grab your camera, a sunhat, and comfortable shoes, and find your inspiration.
Longwood Gardens
Top: Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens; Bottom: National Arboretum
Here are some of my favorite gardens:
Adkins Arboretum (free): adkinsarboretum.org • Located in Ridgely, Maryland • 5 miles of paths among the collection of 600 plant species • Extensive exhibits and educational programs for children and adults
Annamarie Sculpture Garden & Art Center (admission fee): annmariegarden.org • Located in Solomons, Maryland • Affiliated with the Smithsonian Museum: 30+ sculptures on-loan to the garden • 50 acres of forest, meadow and fields interspersed with fairy gardens
Brookside Botanical Gardens (free): brooksidegardens.org • Located in Wheaton, Maryland • 50 acres that include gardens devoted to aquatic, butterfly, Japanese, children’s, rain, and more • 2 Conservatories
Delaware Botanic Gardens (admission fee, but children are free): delawaregardens.org • Located in Ocean View, Delaware • 37 acres that include a meadow designed by world famous gardener Piet Oudolf as well as tidal wetlands, a plateau, and tidal wetlands. • Walking trails and garden displays contribute to the garden’s beauty.
Historic London Town & Gardens (admission fee): historiclondontown.org • 24 acres along the South River in Edgewater, Maryland • Once a thriving Colonial port, there’s a historic public house and several outbuildings of the period. The area includes several garden buildings too. • The woodlands and ornamental gardens have well-groomed paths and some signage to assist with identification of trees and plants.
Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens (free): rawlingsconservatory.org • In the Druid Hill area of Baltimore, Maryland • 1/2 acre of gardens designed for all seasons • 5 greenhouses • Originally designed and created in 1888
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (admission fee): kenaqgardens.org • Within Anacostia National Park, Washington, D.C. • Open May through mid-October • Lotus and water lilies (both native and exotic) • Peak blooms through August!! (blooms close up in midday heat) • 45 flower-filled ponds with elevated boardwalks
Longwood Gardens (admission fee): longwoodgardens.org • Kennet Square, Pennsylvania • 1100 acres • Oriental woodlands, meadows, fountains, ponds • Conservatory with orchid collection and seasonal displays • Lovely cafeteria and café/restaurant for indoors and outdoor dining
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens (admission fee): novaparks.com/parks/meadowlark-botanicalgardens • Located in Vienna, Virginia • 95 acres of gardens of ornamental and native plants
National Arboretum (free): usna.usda.gov • New York Avenue in N.E. Washington, D.C. • 451 acres open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. • Specialty gardens: including Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Bonsai, Conifers, and Magnolia Collections
William Paca House & Gardens
William Paca House & Gardens (admission fee): annapolis.org • 2 acres in the Historic District of Annapolis, between King George and Prince George Streets • Built in 1763 by William Paca, signatory of the Declaration of Independence and 3 times governor of Maryland • National Historic Landmark • Includes: a pond, decorative bridge, outbuildings, and an interesting drainage system (worth checking out, Gardeners!)
Sherwood Gardens (free): sherwoodgardens.org • Located in North Baltimore • Olmstead designed 6 acres of pastoral spaces
U.S. Botanic Gardens (free): usbg.gov • Adjacent to the U.S. Capitol Building • Conservatory (indoor gardens) and small outdoor gardens • Fascinating individual garden areas with excellent signage and easy access
Whether you’ve visited these gardens before or you’re enjoying them for the first time, you’ll come away relaxed and full of fresh ideas for your own garden.
