NJIB’s Guide to 25 New Jersey Arboretums & Botanical Gardens

They don’t call it the Garden State for nothing! If you’re looking for Spring flowers this season, be sure to stop by one of these incredible Arboretums and Botanical Gardens scattered across New Jersey. This season, the state’s premier botanical collections are offering a masterclass in horticultural beauty, from rare specimen trees to ancient flowering shrubs. These essential New Jersey destinations should be at the top of your itinerary.

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A NJIB Guide NJ Arboretums & Botanical Gardens

North Jersey:

Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary, Short Hills
The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary (CHA) is a non-profit organization located in Short Hills, New Jersey. The origin of the CHA goes back to a gift of land that Stewart Hartshorn made to his daughter, Cora L. Hartshorn, in 1923. Cora developed the area as a place where wild things could grow without harm and where people could come to enjoy them. The arboretum features a wide variety of native wildflowers and is also home to multiple species of ferns and trees. Cora Hartshorn also offers a natural amphitheater created by glaciers. Their goal is to promote an understanding of the relationship between people and the environment through programs that integrate arts, science, and the humanities with educational opportunities from school field trips, scout programs, family programs, adult workshops, summer camp, and more.
324 Forest Drive South, Short Hills, NJ

Davis Johnson Park & Gardens, Tenafly
Located at the corner of Engle Street and Westervelt Avenue, this 7-acre site contains beautiful gardens and paths including a redesigned rose garden that has become a significant attraction for visitors to the park. The Borough acquired the original tract of 5.26 acres in the 1960’s from the Estate of Alliene S D. Johnson. In 1993, the Borough acquired an additional 1.97 acres to protect the park from the impact of proposed development on the adjacent property. Today, the park contains a gazebo, a greenhouse, and walking paths.
137 Engle St. Tenafly, NJ

The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown
The Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown, NJ is a 127-acre public garden and horticultural education center with beautiful collections of trees, shrubs, and flowers, as well as historic buildings and open meadows. Their mission is to promote public awareness of horticulture, cultural landscapes, and the natural world through stewardship, sponsorship of projects, and educational opportunities; and to further development of horticulture and research facilities at Morris County Park Commission’s horticultural sites.
353 E Hanover Ave, Morristown, NJ

Greenwood Gardens, Short Hills
Greenwood Gardens—a peaceful getaway tucked in Short Hills where nature, history, and charm come together. Once a private estate, this beautiful 28-acre public garden welcomes visitors to explore winding stone paths, fountains, and garden structures that feel both timeless and inviting. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to return to as the seasons change. Greenwood Gardens offers a peaceful escape with its terraced gardens, meadows, woodlands, and gently winding paths—many dating back to the early 1900s. Visitors can stroll past shaded walkways, stone steps, and serene water features while taking in the garden’s unique blend of natural beauty and historic design. Decorative details, including colorful tilework, wrought iron, and bronze sculptures, add to the charm, along with standout features such as the restored Reflecting Pool Terrace and whimsical structures like the Summerhouse and Teahouse, both built in the 1920s.
274 Old Short Hills Rd, Short Hills, NJ

Laurelwood Arboretum, Wayne
Laurelwood Arboretum spans 30 acres and boasts a rich botanical variety in Wayne Township. The property has two ponds, streams, woodland trails, and hundreds of uncommon plants and trees, including rhododendrons and azaleas. The park features gravel paths that connect throughout, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers, hikers, artists, and photographers. Laurelwood Arboretum was once a commercial nursery but is now a public park maintained through a partnership between the Township of Wayne and the non-profit Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum, Inc.
725 Pines Lake Drive West, Wayne, NJ

NJ Botanical Garden at Skylands, Ringwood
The New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands appears on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. In 1966 the entire estate was bought by the State of New Jersey to form a State Botanical Garden whose settings include a Lilac Garden, Magnolia Walk, the Wild Flower Garden, the Crab Apple Vista, an allée of 166 trees extending almost a half-mile, and the Perennial Garden. The entire section now comprises slightly over 4,000 acres of parkland.
Morris Road, Ringwood, NJ

Presby Memorial Iris Gardens, Upper Montclair
The Essex County Presby Memorial Iris Gardens made the list of the 200 “Best Public Gardens in America”. Located at the base of the 7 1/2 acre Mountainside Park, the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens contain over 14,000 irises of approximately 3,000 varieties and produce over 100,000 blooms over the course of the season. The annual spring Bloom Season is typically mid-May through the first week of June. Certain beds will bloom in October. Visitors can see by the arching slope of the garden beds why Presby is often referred to as the “rainbow on the hill”.A recent addition is the PresBee Sanctuary which currently supports 10 active hives with well over 100,000 Italian honeybees.
474 Upper Mountain Ave, Upper Montclair, NJ

Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit
Reeves-Reed Arboretum engages, educates and enriches its visitors so that they become better stewards of nature and the environment. This mission is achieved through the care and utilization of the historic estate and gardens. The site covers 13 acres of landscaped lawns, gardens, and woodlands. They host many events including children’s educational programs.
165 Hobart Ave, Summit, NJ

The Thielke Arboretum, Glen Rock
The Thielke Arboretum in Glen Rock is a lovely park situated next to the Glen Rock Pool and athletic fields on Doremus Avenue. It serves as a “Garden of Trees,” hosting a variety of trees, shrubs, flowers, birds, and wildlife. The arboretum is an ideal destination for a field trip or a leisurely nature walk.
460 Doremus Ave, Glen Rock, NJ

Van Vleck Gardens, Montclair
Van Vleck House and Gardens is a former private estate run as a non-profit community resource in Montclair in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. It features a public botanical garden of mostly ericaceous plants that has been developed over several generations.
21 Van Vleck St, Montclair, NJ

Wagner Farm Arboretum, Warren
The Wagner Farm Arboretum Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds to support a suburban conservancy and learning center on the former Wagner Farm. The arboretum’s mission is to promote environmental and horticultural education for children and adults through the collection, study, and display of plant life in a natural setting. The goal is to encourage the cultivation and conservation of plants, increase community involvement, and promote environmental awareness.
197 Mountain Avenue, Warren , NJ

Central Jersey:

The Arboretum of Colonial Park, Somerset
The Arboretum of Colonial Park is a conscientious institution dedicated to the collection, conservation, and care of trees and shrubs. Its mission is to promote education, inspiration, and enjoyment while nurturing and growing its collection in a manner that benefits the plants, the environment, park patrons, and employees. The 5 1/2-acre Arboretum, located in the western section of Colonial Park Gardens, houses over 900 specimens of trees and shrubs and promotes an understanding of the relationship between plants, people, and place through displays and integrated programs.
Colonial Park (Lot A & F), 156 Mettlers Road, Somerset, NJ

Cross Estate Gardens, Bernardsville
The Cross Estate Gardens, a project of the New Jersey Historical Garden Foundation (NJHGF) in cooperation with the National Park Service, are located on the Cross Estate, site of the New Jersey Brigade Unit of Morristown National Historical Park. 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.
61 Jockey Hollow Road, Bernardsville, NJ

David C. Shaw Arboretum, Holmdel
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. The Arboretum is an educational and horticultural display devoted to the culture and study of many kinds of trees, shrubs, and other woody plants that grow in Monmouth County. The goal is to educate homeowners about the many excellent varieties and cultivars of woody plants that can be used in their own landscapes. The Arboretum is named for David C. Shaw who served as Monmouth County Shade Tree Commission superintendent from 1963 to 2002. The installation of the Arboretum was one of Mr. Shaw’s first projects.
Holmdel Park, Pond Walk, Holmdel, NJ

Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown
Deep Cut Gardens is a public botanical garden in Middletown Township. Adjacent to Tatum Park, the 54-acre garden is dedicated to home gardening, and is visited by 100,000 visitors a year. The gardens and greenhouses are planned as a living catalog of cultivated and native plant materials to be observed through the seasons. Their renovated Parterre features 52 varieties of roses with over 180 bushes. The greenhouse is open during regular park hours.
152 Red Hill Rd, Middletown Township, NJ

Duke Farms, Hillsborough
Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ, is a 2,700-acre public garden and nature preserve dedicated to conservation and sustainability. Formerly a private estate, it now offers 18 miles of walking/biking trails, an orchid range, and a “green” orientation center, serving as a model for ecological restoration. The site is free and open to the public, offering nature education and community gardens.
1112 Dukes Pkwy W, Hillsborough Township, NJ

Georgian County University Arboretum, Lakewood
Established in 1989, the arboretum at the campus comprises about 100 acres and is named after Sister Mary Grace Burns. Its collection of over 2,200 woody plants from 190+ species includes most of the native species of the New Jersey Pine Barrens and many non-native ones. Several species of endangered trees are listed on the IUCN Red List, and some of the largest trees in Ocean County are found here. The Italian, Formal, Sunken, and Japanese gardens, each with unique themed designs, feature historic statuary, sculptures, fountains, a Japanese teahouse, and woody plants. Among these gardens, the small Clethra alnifolia, holly, and magnolia collections are located between the Italian and Formal Gardens. The gardens integrate centuries-old ornate brickwork and marble, some of which were purchased by the Gould family from Europe.
Georgian Court University, Lakewood NJ

The Hunterdon County Arboretum, Lebanon
The Hunterdon County Arboretum, covering 73 acres, is the headquarters of Hunterdon County’s park system, and open to the public daily without charge. This site, once a commercial nursery, was established by George Bloomer in the 1940s. The centerpiece of the gardens is a renovated 1893 two-level cedar gazebo. Behind the
gazebo is an arching trellis with rose bushes.To the rear of the gardens, a smaller gazebo and a photo bridge are accented by bright-berried hollies, blooming rhododendrons, and a frog-laden pond with a fountain. Throughout the Arboretum you will see a variety of trees, shrubs, and annuals and perennials, including both native and non-native species. The Arboretum also contains approximately 20,000 square feet of display gardens. The gardens were created for educational purposes. They are also a great place to appreciate nature, meditate, or have a snack.
1020 Route 31 in Lebanon, NJ

Leonard J. Buck Garden, Bridgewater
Leonard J. Buck Garden is one of the premier rock gardens in the eastern United States. Begun in the late 1930s, the garden has reached a breathtaking point of maturity. It consists of a series of alpine and woodland gardens situated in a 33-acre wooded stream valley. Named for Mr. Leonard J. Buck, who developed the garden as part of his estate, it was donated to the Somerset County Park Commission by Mrs. Helen Buck in 1976. One of the greatest delights in visiting the Leonard J. Buck Garden is discovering its variety of plants. Tucked among the rocks are rare and exotic rock garden plants. The wooded trails connecting the outcroppings are lined with beautiful wild flowers that have flourished and multiplied through the years. Throughout the gardens grow various ferns. At the base of the valley walls, azaleas and rhododendrons produce a colorful display in May and early June. The Buck Garden’s peak bloom is in spring, when favorite wildflowers, diminutive alpines, and delicate azaleas all compete for attention, but there is something interesting in bloom almost every week of the year.
355 Milltown Rd, Bridgewater, NJ

The Arboretum at Liberty Hall, Union
The Arboretum at Liberty Hall houses several historically significant trees, including a horse chestnut tree planted in 1770 by the daughter of New Jersey’s first elected governor and Liberty Hall’s inaugural resident, William Livingston. The property also features Bartlett and Seckel pear trees dating back to the 18th century. Liberty Hall’s rich history began when Livingston bought a vast expanse of land in Elizabethtown in 1760, embracing country living and farming. The Kean family, Livingston’s descendants, occupied the property until 1995.
1003 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ

Rutgers Gardens, New Brunswick
Rutgers Gardens is the 180-acre public botanic garden of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. It features display gardens, natural spaces, a student vegetable farm, and university research areas. Rutgers Gardens is a “living laboratory” for both university and community learning and engagement.
130 Log Cabin Rd, New Brunswick, NJ

Sayen House and Gardens, Hamilton
Frederick Sayen was an avid gardener and world traveler. In 1912 he purchased a 30-acre parcel of land not far from the family rubber mill in Hamilton Square, NJ. He built a bungalow-style home and surrounded it with plants and flowers acquired while he traveled the world. His collection includes species from China, Japan, and England, many of which are still flourishing today. According to Sayen Garden’s horticulturist, there are more than 1,000 azaleas and nearly 500 rhododendrons thriving under the vigilant care of the dedicated Sayen Gardens groundskeepers. Spring unveils a magnificent display of color and beauty with more than 250,000 flowering bulbs, as well as dogwoods, heirloom azaleas, and rhododendrons. Mother’s Day marks the garden’s annual Azalea Festival. Throughout the year annual and perennial displays fill the gardens with splendor, highlighting the many walking trails, fish ponds, and gazebos that permeate the grounds.
155 Hughes Drive, Hamilton Square, NJ

Willowwood Arboretum, Far Hills
The Morris County Park Commission has managed Willowwood, a 130-acre green space of gardens and meadows, since 1980 with the support of the Willowwood Foundation, donors, and volunteers. The park boasts rare native and exotic plants, totaling about 2,100 species, amidst rolling farmland, formal gardens, undisturbed forests, and historic tree collections. Visitors can enjoy oak, maple, willow, magnolia, lilac, cherry, fir, pine, ferns, wildflowers, and a remarkable 98-foot Dawn Redwood specimen.
300 Longview Rd, Far Hills, NJ

South Jersey:

Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve, Medford
The Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve at Medford Leas spans over 200 acres across campuses in Medford and Lumberton, NJ. It combines public gardens, collections, and natural areas with private residential spaces. Visitors can enjoy a diverse range of designed gardens, landscaped grounds, meadows, woodlands, and wetlands, as well as an extensive plant collection, including native species, in southern New Jersey.
One Medford Leas Way, Medford, NJ

Linwood Arboretum, Linwood
The Linwood Arboretum, dubbed the “smallest arboretum in the world,” has been open 24/7 since 2009 and is nationally recognized. The walk-through features trees dedicated along the way, and plans are in place for an expanded bike path and linear garden with lovely trees and plants. The Arboretum is a popular meeting spot and hosts the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony, featuring carriage rides and visits with Santa.
1410 Wabash Ave, Linwood, NJ