A Guide to America’s Most Beautiful Gardens

The United States offers extraordinary garden diversity, from historic estates and innovative public gardens to specialized botanical collections that span desert, temperate, tropical, and alpine ecosystems. American gardens blend European traditions with native plant movements and contemporary design innovation.

Northeast

The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York One of the world’s premier botanical institutions encompasses 250 acres of curated gardens and native forest. The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, a Victorian-style glasshouse, houses tropical rainforest and desert ecosystems. The Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden features 4,000 plants, while the Native Plant Garden showcases northeastern flora. Seasonal highlights include the orchid show, holiday train display, and dramatic perennial borders designed by Piet Oudolf.

Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania Created by industrialist Pierre S. du Pont, Longwood spans 1,077 acres with 40 distinct garden areas. The conservatory contains 4.5 acres under glass, featuring orchids, bonsai, Mediterranean plants, and spectacular seasonal displays. The Italian Water Garden, topiary garden, and meadow showcase outdoor artistry, while the fountain shows—with choreographed water jets reaching 175 feet—provide theatrical spectacle. The new West Conservatory expansion demonstrates cutting-edge sustainable design.

Arnold Arboretum, Boston, Massachusetts Managed by Harvard University since 1872, this 281-acre arboretum focuses on woody plants hardy to New England’s climate. The living collection includes over 15,000 plants representing thousands of taxa, arranged geographically and scientifically. Spring magnolias and lilacs draw massive crowds, while the autumn foliage rivals any natural woodland. The Bradley Rosaceous Collection and hemlock hill demonstrate botanical diversity within plant families.

Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum, Bristol, Rhode Island This waterfront estate features 33 acres of gardens designed in the English country style. The giant sequoia, largest east of the Rockies, anchors the landscape, while formal rose gardens, rock gardens, and perennial borders create seasonal interest. The enclosed garden, water garden, and naturalistic plantings along Narragansett Bay blend horticulture with coastal ecology.

Mid-Atlantic

Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, New York This 52-acre urban garden pioneered public garden education and accessibility. The Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, designed in 1915, is one of America’s finest, featuring authentic elements and seasonal cherry blossom celebrations. The Cranford Rose Garden displays 5,000 bushes, while the Native Flora Garden demonstrates regional ecosystems. The Steinhardt Conservatory houses tropical and desert collections, and the Celebrity Path celebrates notable Brooklyn residents.

Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, D.C. Beatrix Farrand’s masterpiece of American garden design features ten acres of formal terraces, intimate garden rooms, and romantic landscapes. The Pebble Garden, Rose Garden, and Herbaceous Border demonstrate Farrand’s sophisticated plant compositions and mastery of spatial progression. The estate blends European formality with American naturalism, creating one of the nation’s most influential designed landscapes.

United States Botanic Garden, Washington, D.C. Adjacent to the Capitol, this historic garden dates to 1820 and serves as a living plant museum. The conservatory’s ten distinct environments include jungle, desert, rare and endangered plants, and medicinal species. The outdoor National Garden features regional Mid-Atlantic plants, rose collections, and the First Ladies Water Garden. Seasonal displays and environmental education programs serve millions of visitors annually.

Southeast

Middleton Place, Charleston, South Carolina America’s oldest landscaped gardens date to 1741 and reflect European formal design adapted to the Lowcountry. Symmetrical butterfly lakes, terraced lawns, and allées of live oaks create dramatic geometry. Camellias, azaleas, roses, and magnolias provide seasonal color, while the rice mill pond and natural areas preserve the property’s agricultural history. The gardens reflect both horticultural achievement and the difficult history of plantation slavery.

Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina Frederick Law Olmsted, designer of Central Park, created the landscape for George Vanderbilt’s château. The formal walled garden contains seasonal displays and roses, while the shrub garden, azalea garden, and conservatory provide year-round interest. The estate demonstrates Olmsted’s vision of blending formal gardens with natural Appalachian landscapes, including extensive forest restoration work.

Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta, Georgia This 30-acre garden combines Southern plant traditions with innovative contemporary design. The Fuqua Orchid Center houses rare tropical species, while the Canopy Walk provides aerial forest views. The Edible Garden, Japanese Garden, and conservation programs for rare southeastern plants demonstrate the garden’s diverse mission. Seasonal exhibitions, including large-scale art installations, attract broad audiences.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, Florida One of the world’s premier tropical gardens showcases 83 acres of rare palms, cycads, flowering trees, and tropical fruit species. The extensive palm collection includes species from around the tropics, while the rainforest, rare plant house, and butterfly conservatory provide diverse experiences. Conservation programs protect threatened tropical species, particularly from South Florida and the Caribbean.

Midwest

Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, Illinois Encompassing 385 acres on nine islands surrounded by lakes, this garden combines formal and naturalistic design. The English Walled Garden, Japanese Garden (Sansho-En), and Rose Garden represent different traditions, while the Native Plant Garden and prairie restoration demonstrate regional ecology. The Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden showcases edible landscaping, and the Evening Island Garden features innovative plant combinations.

Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Missouri Founded in 1859 by Henry Shaw, this National Historic Landmark maintains world-class botanical research alongside public gardens. The Japanese Garden is among America’s largest, featuring traditional elements and serene landscapes. The Climatron geodesic dome conservatory houses tropical rainforest species, while the Victorian District, rose garden, and Children’s Garden serve diverse audiences. The garden’s scientific research programs contribute globally to plant conservation.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, Michigan This relatively young institution (opened 1995) combines world-class sculpture with horticultural excellence across 158 acres. The tropical conservatory features five climate zones, while outdoor gardens include Victorian, English, and Japanese designs. The Children’s Garden is among the nation’s largest, and the sculpture collection rivals many art museums. Seasonal shows, particularly butterflies and orchids, draw enormous crowds.

Southwest

Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona This 140-acre garden showcases the beauty and diversity of desert plants from around the world, with emphasis on the Sonoran Desert. The trails wind through natural desert, demonstrating adaptations to extreme aridity. Thousands of cacti species, succulents, agaves, and desert wildflowers create unexpected color and form. The garden’s research and conservation programs protect threatened desert species.

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, California Henry E. Huntington’s 120-acre estate features 16 themed gardens showcasing plants from around the world. The Desert Garden displays one of the world’s largest outdoor collections of cacti and succulents across 10 acres. The Japanese Garden, Chinese Garden, and Australian Garden represent different continents, while the Rose Garden (peak April-May) contains over 3,000 varieties. The camellia collection and Shakespeare Garden add literary dimensions.

San Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas, California This 37-acre garden showcases plants from Mediterranean climates worldwide. The bamboo garden contains one of North America’s most extensive collections, while rare fruit, subtropical plants, and desert collections demonstrate California’s mild coastal climate. The Native Plant Garden features California flora, and the children’s garden and Hamilton Children’s Garden engage younger visitors.

Pacific Northwest

Portland Japanese Garden, Portland, Oregon Considered one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside Japan, this twelve-acre hillside garden features eight distinct styles. The Tea Garden, Strolling Pond Garden, and Flat Garden demonstrate different traditions, while views of Mount Hood create borrowed scenery. Meticulously maintained moss, precisely pruned pines, and seasonal displays of cherry blossoms, irises, and maples embody Japanese aesthetics.

Butchart Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia (Canada, but often visited by Pacific Northwest travelers) Created from an exhausted limestone quarry in 1904, these 55-acre gardens demonstrate the transformation of industrial landscape into horticultural paradise. The Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, and Italian Garden provide distinct atmospheres. Over one million bedding plants create continuous seasonal color, while the garden’s lighting during winter months extends the visiting season.

Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle, Washington This 230-acre living museum jointly operated by the University of Washington and Seattle Parks displays plants from around the world, emphasizing species suited to the Pacific Northwest. The Japanese Garden, designed by Juki Iida, features authentic elements and serene landscapes. The Azalea Way explodes with color in spring, while collections of oaks, conifers, and rhododendrons demonstrate the region’s excellent growing conditions.

Mountain West

Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver, Colorado This premier high-altitude garden (5,280 feet elevation) demonstrates ornamental horticulture adapted to challenging conditions. The extensive rock alpine garden showcases mountain plants from around the world. The Japanese Garden, water gardens, and native plant collections combine Eastern and Western traditions. The Mordecai Children’s Garden and Science Pyramid engage diverse audiences.

Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City, Utah Situated at the mouth of Red Butte Canyon, this 100-acre garden combines formal displays with natural Wasatch foothill ecosystems. The fragrance garden, rose garden, and water conservation garden demonstrate adapted horticulture, while hiking trails through natural areas connect visitors with native Utah flora. The amphitheater hosts summer concert series in a stunning natural setting.

Hawaii

National Tropical Botanical Garden, Multiple Locations, Kauai and Maui This network of gardens preserves and displays Hawaiian native plants and tropical species from around the world. Limahuli Garden on Kauai’s north shore demonstrates traditional Hawaiian ethnobotany within a stunning valley setting. McBryde and Allerton Gardens showcase the largest collection of Hawaiian native plants, with conservation programs protecting critically endangered species. The gardens balance scientific research, conservation, and public education.

Foster Botanical Garden, Honolulu, Oahu Established in 1853, this is one of Hawaii’s oldest botanical gardens. Exceptional tree collection includes rare palms, tropical hardwoods, and flowering species. The orchid collection, prehistoric glen (featuring ancient plant lineages), and economic plants section demonstrate the garden’s diverse collections. Urban location makes it accessible while preserving significant green space.

Visiting Recommendations

Timing: American gardens offer year-round interest across different regions. Northeast and Midwest gardens peak April-October, with spring bulbs, summer perennials, and fall foliage. Southern gardens excel November-May, avoiding summer heat. Desert gardens shine February-April during wildflower season. Pacific Northwest gardens maintain interest year-round with mild winters.

Regional Specialties: Each region contributes unique plant palettes. Northeast excels in woody plants and seasonal color. Southeast showcases camellias, azaleas, and Southern magnolias. Desert Southwest features unparalleled cactus and succulent displays. Pacific Northwest grows rhododendrons, Japanese maples, and conifers to perfection. California’s Mediterranean climate supports diverse global flora.

Membership Benefits: Major gardens offer reciprocal admission through the American Horticultural Society and American Public Gardens Association, making memberships valuable for garden enthusiasts traveling across the country.

Educational Programs: American botanical gardens emphasize education, research, and conservation alongside public display. Many offer workshops, lectures, and specialized tours that deepen understanding of plants and ecology.

Accessibility: Most major gardens provide excellent accessibility for visitors with mobility challenges, with paved paths, trams, and wheelchairs available. Many offer sensory gardens designed for visitors with visual impairments.

Photography: Most gardens welcome photography for personal use. Early morning and late afternoon provide best light for capturing seasonal displays. Some gardens offer photography workshops and special access for serious photographers.

America’s gardens reflect the nation’s ecological diversity, from Atlantic forests to Pacific rainforests, showcasing both native plant heritage and the contribution of immigrant gardening traditions from around the world. The emphasis on public education, conservation science, and accessibility makes American botanical gardens leaders in connecting people with plants.