Sunflowers, roses and wildflowers: A guide to New Jersey's most colorful gardens
From world-class flower farms to unknown gardens and trails, the Garden State has all the flowers to entice any plant lover looking for color.
Here are 8 great places to see the best flowers in New Jersey:
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit
Nestled in Union County, the Reeves-Reed Arboretum is a floral oasis. Its vibrant landscape is filled with colors and scents, showcasing a rich variety of native and exotic blooms. From the delicate petals of springtime tulips to the bold splashes of summer roses, every season brings a new spectacle of floral beauty to delight visitors of all ages.
Greenway Meadows Park, Princeton
This expansive park offers a picturesque landscape of rolling meadows, shady groves, and flowery spots, providing a perfect escape for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Among its many charms are the many flowers that live there. From the cheerful daisies and sunflowers to the delicate blooms of wildflowers, the park got a lot to delights visitors throughout the seasons.
With its ample green spaces, playgrounds, and picnic areas, this park is perfect for relaxed yet playful moments.
Durr's Bluebox Produce and Flowers, Wrightstown
This charming gem for flower enthusiasts has a bounty of fresh flowers on sale. You can pick up your own flowers from the ground and create a fresh bouquet. Edible produce is also available on this acclaimed farm market.
Five Ponds Loop, Ringwood
Looking for a retreat away from the crowds? If so, this trail got you covered.
Through this secluded, 5.7-mile hike you can enjoy wildflower beds scattered throughout the trail. The hike has many small ponds and is suitable for bikes too.
Dalton Farms, Swedesboro
Renowned for its vibrant fields of flowers, the farm offers visitors a breathtaking spectacle of color and fragrance. At this farm you can see fields covered with sunflowers, zinnias, lavender, dahlias and tulips. Dalton Farms is an unforgettable floral experience for many. Admission to this farm cost $14 online, or $20 at the entrance. Tulips and daffodils can be picked for $2 per stem or ten for $10.
Rutgers Gardens, North Brunswick
This 180-acre botanic garden features dozens of gardens filled with azaleas, irises, allium blooms and many other species. Every garden is different from one another containing a specific collection of flora, such as the Donald B. Lacey Garden, a photographers attraction known for its extensive beds of irises, herbs and vegetables.
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
One of the biggest tulip farms in the country, this magical place is filled with flowers as far as the eye can see. When you visit, you'll find yourself surrounded by rows of colorful blooms of tulips and fragrant hyacinths.
This 300-acre farm has over 8 million tulips on display. Visitors can roam around, pick up some tulips and maybe take some photos.
A ticket is required to enter the farm. The are selling online for $15 and $17, depending on the day.
Brookdale Park Rose Garden, Montclair
Everywhere you look, there are roses in all shades and sizes, filling the air with their sweet scent. It's a peaceful place where you can stroll among the over 500 rose bushes in close to 150 varieties. While the garden is open year round, peak blooming times are in June and September.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Plan your NJ flower adventure: Must-see gardens, farms, and parks