One of the things getting me through the current isolation is planning wonderful places to visit, either in spring when the weather warms up (outdoor events being pretty safe) or later in the year when the vaccine has hopefully cut back the risks posed by the pandemic.

Please, let's not get sidetracked into discussions of pandemic safety, politic, vaccine distribution, etc.

This is a planning and dreaming thread, thinking forward to day trip opportunities and hoping to meet up with fellow gardeners at beautiful places!



Look to the second post for a calendar of specific events or dates that people are planning to go somewhere (and would like to meet up with other MAGpyes (Mid-Altantic Gardening forum members).

Post links on this thread for ideas -- lovely gardens, great nurseries, specific events... anything with people planning to go, I'll add it to the second post (yell at me or tree-mail if I miss one). If you're looking for ideas, the thread below will be a resource.

reserved for specific planning info

May 24 - June 7 (date to be determined) Peony's Envy display gardens and cut flowers peak bloom

I started this because I just came across a public garden I knew nothing about. The spring issue of GROW (from the PA Horticultural Society) had a page mentioning Stoneleigh Gardens, an historical state with evolving gardens donated to Natural Land in 2016. It's near the north side of Philly, 50 min south of the Allentown exit on the PA turnpike, an hour and a quarter east of Lancaster.

See https://stoneleighgarden.org/g...

I also got an email from Peony's Envy, indicating their peak bloom is expected to be May 30. They have a $100 / plate party going on that day... I think I'll pass but try to get up there the week before or the week after. Not that I have tons of space for more peonies, but I'd sure like to experience that many all blooming together!

Terri and I have purchased HUGE peony roots from them at the Philly Flower Show, definitely one of our favorite vendors. (Yes, half the reason we go to The Flower Show is for the shopping.)

They open their production fields for cut flowers, too -- $3/stem, and $10 admission, during the last week of May and the first week of June. They are located in Bernardsville, NJ... so a 3 1/2 hr. drive for me, but closer for some of our friends to the northeast!

So we could go, identify a new favorite or two, SMELL all the wonderful blooms, take photos, and come home with a bouquet.

I'm thinking of making it an overnight trip if I can twist Terri's arm, zip straight up the first day and take our time on the way back since a little detour takes us past Black Creek Nursery in East Earl... or maybe we can get in some trouble elsewhere on the return trip. Jan could probably give us some tips...

of course, we have some other amazing public gardens...' If you're thinking of going, post and say when to see if you can meet up with others!

Longwood Gardens https://longwoodgardens.org/

Mt. Cuba https://mtcubacenter.org/
Wildflower Celebration Sunday returns on April 28 -- looks like a fun event, but I think I like this place without crowds.

Chanticleer: A Pleasure Garden http://www.chanticleergarden.o...
near Philly, 45 min from Longwood or Mt Cuba, I've never been there

Greenspring Garden - 50th anniversary year! https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/...
just emailed to enquire if The Big Plant Sale is on this year. Groups of 8 or more can reserve tour for $10/person.

Winterthur Museum & Garden http://www.winterthur.org/ (a stone's throw from Mt. Cuba)
Here's their "what's blooming" calendar page that makes me want to visit every week
https://www.winterthur.org/vis...

Montpelier (James Madison) https://www.montpelier.org/

Mount Vernon (George Washington) https://www.mountvernon.org/

Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, VA https://www.themsv.org/

Monticello (Thomas Jefferson) https://www.monticello.org/

I moved these to their own post, because either would be a nice highlight to a scenic drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway. From my house, it's 3 to 5 hours each way, depending on how much of the time you take the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I'm definitely interested in going to Mt Cuba in late spring. I've been there twice before and love this place.

I'm definitely making a trip to Black Creek Nursery in East Earl, probably a week day in April.

My arm could be twisted to go see the peonies in bloom at Peony's Envy and any of the other places that Jill mentioned.

I like Monticello in Charlottesville too.

Easy local places to visit include
Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown - haven't been but always wanted to go, probably fairly close to Lisa's house
National Arboretum - been a few times, would like to visit this year when the azaleas are in bloom
Meadowlark Gardens - been a few times, nice stroll, close to Muddy's house

As an Auslander, I hesitate to offer ideas to the locals...but since when has talking about plants left me as a wallflower.

critter's mention of Stoneleigh Gardens caught my eye. One of my younger brothers (resident of Hatfield/Lansdale metroplex, PA - near the Pottstown/Perkiomenville megalopolis where I was born and lived till I was 5) volunteers at Stoneleigh. He highly recommends a visit, and pull some weeds/eradicate some invasives while you're there.

I have had the good fortune to have traveled to and visited many of the gardens previously mentioned, and have yet to get to some of them. All good fun. I would advocate for additional places around Philadelphia - there's always more than you have time for, and having alternatives should unexpected obstacles arise makes for a more satisfying trip. But if you are Philly-bound, you'll need a passport:
http://americasgardencapital.o...

Swarthmore College campus in Swarthmore IS the Scott Arboretum - which includes the James R. Frorer Holly Collection and Crum Woods. It is swell.
https://www.scottarboretum.org...

Jenkins Arboretum is on that side of town. A horticultural fellow from the northeast who managed the High Line rehabilitation in NYC had come to Kentucky to manage the 4000 acre Parklands project in Louisville, and then moved back to Philly to manage the newly renovated Jenkins Arboretum. He's a topnotch friendly guy, and you could likely get a personal tour with advance notice.
https://www.jenkinsarboretum.o...

Agree with all the DuPont estates of Longwood, Chanticleer, Winterthur, and I think there are a couple more lesser known. I've only had the pleasure to visit Longwood on several occasions.

Bartram's Garden is doing some interesting inner city work, maintaining an 18th century horticultural enterprise. Medicinal gardens, wonderful handhewn architecture, and of course the 200+ year old Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea) from Kentucky seed - worth some time if you are in the area.
https://www.bartramsgarden.org...

Haverford College campus boasts the Ryan Pinetum, home to 9 PA state champion trees, including interesting uncommon conifers.
https://www.haverford.edu/site...

The Arboretum of the Barnes Foundation is eclectic (my first and last visit was 1988); used to have a big old Clethra barbinervis.
https://www.barnesfoundation.o...

Tyler Arboretum is in Media PA. It is a diverse place, with grand old specimen trees and many newer features since I last visited long ago. Their former director came to work in Louisville for the parks department in the late 1990s.
https://tylerarboretum.org/

I need to take a break...

I can see I'll need weekly expeditions! Keep those ideas coming... and maybe we can do some meet-ups, too.

You mentioned Winchester VA above. I have enjoyed stopping over in that town, during my trips to Washington DC and to southern NJ.

On one of my trips, I found the State Arboretum of Virginia a half hour away on US Rt. 50. What a great place! They have a variety of gardens, but I was agape at the fine collection of conifers, many of which I had never seen growing in this part of the country. There is also a gridded out grove of Ginkgo, unusual in itself. This site is also the home of the Blandy Experimental Farm. It is well worth a stop.
https://blandy.virginia.edu/

You also mentioned Charlottesville, which isn't far off the Blue Ridge Parkway. A nifty site that isn't often known/visited is adjacent to the Parkway: Swannanoa. This was the summer home of the folks that built the Maymont estate that is now a city park in Richmond. It has had a storied life through the 20th century, with ups and downs. It has the biggest Tricolor Beech I've ever seen, and interesting architecture.
https://skyline-swannanoa-inc....

You are all probably well aware that there are a plethora of vineyards/wineries in this area, and many fine places to eat as well. Way back 30 years ago when I first visited this area, it was on a trip to Fishersville to buy a swath of fine perennials from Andre Viette Nursery.
https://inthegardenradio.com/

I am so ready to get out and about to public gardens. I intended to make this a priority when I retired in Feb 2017, but due to various circumstances - providing health care to my mother and now the pandemic, it just hasn't really materialized yet. Hopefully 2021 is the year!

The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester is fairly new -- like within the last 10 years -- and has associated gardens. Thanks for the tip on the conifer collection at the VA State Arboretum!

Terri, we are going to rack up some serious road trip miles this year!!

I really love the bonsai collection at the National Arboretum. Haven't managed to go there when the azaleas bloom.

Another place that's said to be wonderful at azalea time is the Elizabeth Ann Seaton shrine, up 15 past Thurmont nearly to the PA border. I've been to the grotto there but not during azalea season. I see there's a historic homes tour from there also, might be new? https://setonshrine.org/

Hillwood Museum in NW DC has exceptional gardens, part of the estate of Marjorie Post. Slated to reopen February 10.

Is there a prime don't miss season for any of these gardens? Like, May/June for rose gardens or I think April for azaleas?

Is anybody thinking about going to the OUTDOOR version of the Philadelphia Flower Show in June? I'm intrigued but don't want to encourage them to switch to this format... I like the pre-spring timing of the show the way they've been doing it for so long!

I would love to tag along on some field trips!!! I have no plans other than a trip to AZ in June.

Terri and I are thinking of going up to the display gardens at Peony's Envy the first week in June, maybe Tuesday June 1. Who else loves peonies??

I LOVE peonies! Please post some pics if you go!

Have you all seen the pretties at Costco?

Yes, I bought one on Wednesday!