My Top 5 Favorite Gardens
I blinked and February was over. I think it is mostly because I was traveling for half of it. However, I have no explanation for March. To me, March usually feels extra long because it seems like it should be getting warmer but it is still trying to hang on to colder. The month drags while waiting for Spring to actually kick in.
Not this year.
I mean as far as the month dragging. Because, March flew by and I am staring at April.
Now that Winter seems to have basically left, it is time for me to pull out my list of picture spots. I have a running list of places I like to go to take pictures. Everything from parks to botanical gardens to arboretums.
April is Garden Month and since the temp outside is singing Spring, I thought I would share some of my favorite go-to gardens where I take most of my pictures.
#5 Sayen House & Gardens in Hamilton Township, NJ. Sayen is a municipal park and botanical garden that is open year-round, though at its peak in the Spring. They have benches all around, a gazebo, a pond with water features and nature path…all the good “park staples”. In the Spring, especially before Easter, it can be a little crowded on a nice sunny day, with people conducting portrait sessions. I usually do pretty well navigating around them. Most of my Bleeding Hearts shots were taken here and I can usually time it correctly to get some good Irises & Violets as well. It’s #5 because it is all about timing here to make it worth the drive. Occasionally I spend longer getting there then I do actually shooting pictures.
#4 Winterthur Garden in Winterthur, DE. Winterthur's 1,000 acres encompass rolling hills, streams, meadows, and forests and is open all year round as well. It is an enormous property and I never end up getting to all of it at one visit. I love the huge selection of flowers they have when everything is in bloom. I also love the water features and buildings that compliment the garden. I don’t go here often enough, but with Covid restrictions starting to relax, I am going to make it a 2021 goal to get there.
#3 Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ. Grounds For Sculpture is a museum, sculpture garden, and arboretum where art and nature are always in play. I love going here, because the grounds are beautiful to just walk around. They do have some flowers and flowering trees, but for me the show stoppers are the Lotus flowers that grow in two of the ponds. Oh and the roaming peacocks are fun too. It can get crowded, even when it isn’t the most fabulous of days. It seems to be a the go-to for camp groups and tour busses.
#2 Longwood Gardens in Kennet Square, PA. Nope, not my #1. I love Longwood, don’t get me wrong. Their garden displays are outstanding and they always have a huge variety of flowers and plants and sometimes they are even “staged” for me. You can visit all year round, because when it is too cold outside you can head inside to the greenhouse. But, currently they are under construction, and doing some renovations to the greenhouse. On a recent trip I discovered the greenhouse path was cut short, not allowing visitors to walk the entire length. With nothing in bloom outside yet, it made for a short visit. Also this past season, they kept their Christmas display up way past Christmas. Like almost to MLK Day. By January 1, I am over the Christmas trees. I am going to be waiting until it is full bloom season before I head back to Longwood. My favorite area is what they call the Idea Garden. It’s a long path with flowers on both sides. I usually take pictures of the Poppies and Peonies there when they are in bloom. Gets crowded though.
#1 Chanticleer Garden in Wayne, PA. Chanticleer was once the Rosengarten estate, and today it is a colorful, contemporary garden within an historic setting. On a beautiful day it is perfect to walk around. They are only open from April-October, in fact opening day is March 31 and I just purchased my season pass! Every year they add a little something different to the garden and each time I visit it looks a little different. My go-to spot is always the succulent garden. It sits in a shell of a building with a cool fountain with floating faces. Love it!
These are my top five and unfortunately they tend to be everyone else’s too. All of these places can get really crowded on a beautiful day, which can make it a challenge to take pictures, because there is usually someone in your shot, or it is difficult to get down at the crazy angles without being in someone’s way.
One new garden I plan to add to my list this year is Paradise Farms in Chesterfield, NJ. The website says it is a “farm, estate, garden; a delightful kaleidoscope of color”. That sounds right up my alley! They are only open on the weekends at the moment and are currently closed for the season. But the season must be starting any minute! I’ll let you know how I like it!
Jessica
PS-Do you have a favorite park or garden you like to walk around? I am always looking for new places! Leave me a message in the comments section below about your favorite spots!!