Places To Visit

There are numerous locations presenting horticultural interest throughout Morris and its neighboring counties where people can learn about flora and the natural world. Here is far from being complete the list of such sites.

Peonies

170 Longview Rd., Far Hills
973-326-7600

The Morris County Park Commission acquired the farm in 1972 from Mrs. Hutcheson's daughter. It was renamed Bamboo Brook for the stream that runs through the property.

Eastern Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly

324 Forest Dr. S., Short Hills
973-376-3587

The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum is a 16.5 acre green oasis, home to more than 45 species of trees, 150 species of wild flowers and 100 species of birds. The Arboretum’s emphasis on native species includes majestic trees, rare ferns and wildflowers. More than three miles of trails are open to the public year round. Multi-age classes are also offered at the center.

Duke Farms [(c) www.dukefarms.org]

80 Route 206 South, Hillsborough
908-722-3700

For nearly 100 years, Duke Farms, a 2,700-acre property in Hillsborough, N.J., has been a destination for residents of The Garden State and beyond. As one of the largest privately-owned parcels of undeveloped land in the state, it is rich in agricultural, horticultural, and ecological resources. The mission of Duke Farms is to serve as a model of environmental stewardship and to inspire visitors to become informed stewards of the land. Duke Farms currently offers nature and horticulture programs, scenic bike tours and a 1.25-mile self-guided nature walk. A greatly expanded range of programs, indoor and outdoor native gardens and miles of trails will be available to the public with the opening of a new orientation center in Spring 2011.

Irises

53 E. Hanover Ave., Morristown
973-326-7600

The Frelinghuysen Arboretum is New Jersey's premier public garden. The 127 acre tract is well known for its beautiful gardens and is a center for horticultural education, plant shows and sales, special events and exhibits. The arboretum includes a Colonial Revival home on the National Historic Register, many nature trails, themed gardens, plant collections, an art gallery and gift shop. Year round classes for all ages and a horticultural reference library make the Frelinghuysen a regional center for horticulture.

Greenwood Gardens [(c) www.greenwoodgardens.org]

274 Old Short Hills Rd., Short Hills
973-376-3587

Greenwood Gardens, once a grand estate of croquet terraces, tea houses and fountains enjoyed by a lucky few, is now a 28-acre garden open for guided tours, horticultural workshops and cultural events. Owned and operated by a nonprofit organization working to forward conservation throughout the region, Greenwood is a secret garden just waiting to be discovered by you.

Hacklebarney State Park

119 Hacklebarney Rd., Long Valley
908-638-6969

This park was established in 1924 when 32 acres of land were donated to the State by Adolph E. Borie. Of the total acreage today, its 708 acres are located in Chester Township off State Park Road. Hacklebarney State Park is primarily wooded and provides passive recreational opportunities, such as picnicking, fishing, and walking. The Black River, which bisects the park, is one of the premier trout fishing stream in New Jersey. Three rare and endangered plant species exist within the park: American ginseng, leatherwood and Virginia pennywort. Over a hundred bird species and wildlife such as black bear, woodchuck, deer, and fox live in the park.

Leonard J. Buck Garden

11 Layton Rd., Far Hills
908-234-2677

Leonard J. Buck Garden is a 29-acre rock and woodland garden developed by its namesake during the mid-twentieth century. The garden features naturalistic plantings of native wildflowers, shade perennials, ferns and rock garden plants.

Yellow Irises

165 Hobart Ave., Summit
908-273-8787

Reeves-Reed Arboretum is comprised of a historic home, restored formal gardens, greenhouse and woodlands. Its mission is to provide horticultural and environmental education and to foster the enjoyment of nature through professional care and preservation of the property.

Willowwood Arboretum

300 Longview Rd., Chester Township
973-326-7600

Willowood Arboretum, 130 acres of rolling farm land, has about 3,500 kinds of native and exotic plants, many of them rare. Both wild and cultivated plantings can be seen on self-guiding tours. In additon to undisturbed forest, historic collections include oak, maple, willow, magnolia, lilac, cherry, fir, pine, a superb specimen of Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia) now more than 98 feet tall, masses of ferns and handsome stands of field and forest wild flowers. The arboretum is home to many Champion trees, an assortment of garden statuary and a small jewel-like conservatory. It is a plant lover’s dream. The residence, dating back from 1792, features two small formal gardens.  However, the pervading feeling at Willowood is one of pleasant informal paths through open areas  and woodland, all carefully developed since Henry and Robert Tubbs bought the property in 1908. Collecting and growing distinctive plants of all kinds became the continuing hobby of the brothers for half a century, and many speciments date from their initial plantings. Here educational programs and special events are offered throughout the year.