It’s the largest city in the state of Maryland and one of the most historic places to visit in the entire country. However, Baltimore, MD isn’t just a place to learn about the past, it’s a great place to experience the present with a wide range of scenic gardens. Whether you’re a local or simply planning to visit, make sure you check out these glamorous gardens in Baltimore.
Sherwood Gardens are located at the estate of the founder of the Baltimore Sun, A.S. Abell. These gardens are known for their spectacular tulip exhibits, featuring over 80,000 tulip bulbs. This gorgeous springtime attraction also features magnolias, cherry blossoms, and dogwoods The best time to visit is in late April or early May, but the 6-acre park is open throughout the year, regardless of the weather.
Rawlings Conservatory is one of Baltimore City’s best public gardens, offering a rich history and year-round displays of plant life. The conservatory houses thirty-five flower beds and different facilities, including showcases such as the Palm House, Orchid House, Tropical House, and Desert House.
The Exeter Gardens are a community initiative designed to transform an abandoned city lot in the Jonestown neighborhood into an active community garden. This urban farm is open to anyone in the public who wants to exercise their green thumb and grow healthy produce.
Recently redesigned, Preston Gardens is a thriving strip of land at the corner of Saratoga Street and Saint Paul Street. Although it is small, it includes a fountain, seating areas, shade trees, and hundreds of beautifully landscaped flowers. This green space is home to multiple weekly events, such as yoga, bocce ball, and even beer gardens to help you unwind.
Affectionately known as The Blue Jay’s Perch, this garden finds its home on the scenic Johns Hopkins campus. The gardens were designed to teach students, faculty, staff, and community members about sustainable food production. Each spring, volunteers plant hundreds of vegetable and flower seeds to produce this sprawling hands-on educational experience.
The Filbert Street Garden offers some of the best views in the city of Baltimore–and we’re not just talking about the flowers and vegetables. This one-acre community garden is located near the historic Curtis Bay Water Tank and Farring-Baybrook Park. It includes orchards, fruit patches, artistic demonstrations, and even meditation areas. The garden is open to the public to grow their own food in raised beds or plots, and also offers tours and other educational activities, such as STEM activities.
Ladew offers fifteen different themed areas spanning over twenty-two acres. These gardens are known as the most “outstanding topiary” exhibits in America, with a range of experiences such as a nature walk through the woods and across wetland marsh environments. While you’re visiting the gardens, you can also pay a visit to the Manor House, which is an antiquated, equestrian-inspired relic of English history.
8. The Gardens at Gramercy Mansion
The Gramercy Mansions gardens are romantic and idyllic, offering a venue for countless weddings and retreats each year. These immaculately landscaped areas include dozens of perennial beds, topiaries, shade trees, and other scenic fixtures. The gardens even feature vineyards. While most people visit Gramercy for events like weddings or showers, the mansion is open to tours throughout the year as well.
This garden, just slightly outside of Baltimore, is a fixture of Wheaton Regional Park. It contains an azalea garden, a rose garden, a fragrance garden,a Japanese-inspired oasis, and a formal garden. With over fifty acres of public garden sto explore, this stop is a must-see on your way to Washington, D.C. It even includes two conservatories.
This arboretum was established in 1954 and celebrates post-Civil War architecture and horticulture on its 207-acre grounds. The park was developed exclusively by volunteers and includes three miles of trails and dozens of gardens to provide for stellar educational opportunities in environmental science and horticulture.
Whether you’re an avid gardener, nature enthusiast, or birdwatcher, these gardens are a great place to get some exercise and enjoy the fresh air.
Feeling inspired to clean up your yard and start a new gardening project? Visit our Baltimore lawn care page for more information!
Feature image source: Sherwood Gardens, Guilford Association
