Shake off the winter blues by visiting these gorgeous gardens. Just remember to check the garden for updates on new protocols such as schedules, open areas, mask requirements, and reservations.
New York Botanical Garden
Check out this garden for an impressive display of snowdrops, and early bloomers that appear alongside violet-colored spring crocus, Cornelian cherry dogwood, and hellebore. This month, there will be thousands of yellow and white daffodils while cherry and crab apple trees bloom in clouds of pink and white.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
If you are in the Miami area, this garden is fantastic for appreciating orchids from around the world all year round. Especially interesting is the outdoor Richard H. Simons Rainforest, where orchids grow as they would in their natural habitats. This garden also boasts other tropical plants, waterfalls, and butterflies.
Longwood Gardens
Located in Philadelphia, fondly called America’s garden capital, Longwood Gardens has 400 acres of gardens, meadows, and woodlands that are accessible to the public. Stroll through the iconic 600-foot-long Flower Garden Walk, which is the first garden laid out by founder Pierre S. du Pont in 1907. This garden focuses on colorful displays and aesthetically pleasing plant combinations to inspire creativity.
Desert Botanical Garden
This Arizona garden was founded in 1939 to study and conserve desert plants. March and April are the best months to walk through the Harriet K. Maxwell Desert Wildflower Loop Trail, which features penstemons, poppies, and sunshine-hued desert marigolds. May, however, is when you can catch the night-blooming saguaro cactus, which Ken Schutz, the garden’s executive director, claims is one of the garden’s “charismatic mega flora”.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Conveniently located around 20 miles north of the big city, the Chicago Botanic Garden has 385 acres and 27 display gardens to explore. This garden is one to visit week after week to see spring flowers bloom in succession. From snowdrops to crab apple trees, this garden is a must-see spring experience.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
The beautiful tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths that line this garden’s thoroughfare will make it difficult to believe that Texas has been experiencing shocking temperature drops and heavy snow over the past couple of winters. Winter will feel far away while gazing upon the 500,000 colorful tulips on display!
Missouri Botanical Garden
The Missouri Botanical Garden offers an interactive “What’s in Bloom” map on its website so that visitors can plan their excursions to coincide with their favorite blooms. This month you can enjoy the Japanese Garden and its multitude of cherry blossoms.
Bloedel Reserve
Just a 35-minute ferry ride from Seattle, this destination features forest reserves and 23 different plant areas. It has a one-way, two-mile loop trail that you can walk while enjoying the early spring blooms of witch hazel, gooseberry, and western trillium. If you have an acute appreciation of the scent of fresh blooms, be sure to check out the “scent tour” instructions on the website which will guide visitors who are interested in a fragrance-focused walk.
