In Bloom

April showers bring May flowers, and with plenty of plants and trees beginning to bloom in Morris and Essex’s public gardens, we’ve compiled a list of the most beautiful local spots:

Presby Iris Gardens

The gardens, open from dawn to dusk all season, feature countless blooming irises of every color. Each May, volunteers harvest both historic and modern bearded irises to offer at a plant sale—just in time for Mother’s Day.
474 Upper Mountain Ave., Montclair, 973.783.5974, PRESBYIRISGARDENS.ORG

Greenwood Gardens

During a self-guided or group tour, visitors can walk along winding pathways and view tulips, snapdragons, dogwood trees and roses in hues of red, pink and white that climb up the property’s antique pillars and cottages.
274 Old Short Hills Rd., Short Hills, 973.258.4026, GREENWOODGARDENS.ORG

Van Vleck House & Gardens

The house’s expansive garden has over 20 rhododendron varieties and 30 kinds of azaleas. Petunias, pansies and daffodils are featured all over the grounds and can be purchased during Van Vleck’s annual plant sale, May 4–9.
21 Van Vleck St., Montclair, 973.744.4752, VANVLECK.ORG

Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Violets, tulips, daffodils, pansies and lilacs are just a few of the flower varieties at the arboretum. If you see something you like, stop by the arboretum’s annual plant sale from May 4–6. For a full list of Frelinghuysen’s plants, visit its website listed below.
353 E. Hanover Ave., Morristown, 973.326.7603, ARBORETUMFRIENDS.ORG

Willowwood Arboretum

Daffodils, along with magnolias and cherry blossoms, are blooming amid Willowwood’s lilac garden. During the spring season, the staff publishes a weekly update of what’s in bloom— even though, sometimes, there are too many flowers to mention!
300 Longview Rd., Far Hills, 908.234.1815, WILLOWWOODARBORETUM.ORG