The DMV and West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle are home to an extraordinary collection of public gardens. From serene orchards tucked throughout DC to vibrant flower fields sprawled across West Virginia, each garden offers a unique blend of beauty and history. Experience the region in full spring bloom at these picturesque botanic destinations.
Photos: Montgomery Parks
Brookside Gardens
This gem within Wheaton Regional Park is home to an award-winning 50-acre public display garden. While visitors are free to roam independently, Brookside Gardens offers guided programs like outdoor yoga and bird-watching. Their most popular program, “The Butterfly Experience,” invites participants to view nature up close in a live butterfly display.
Photos: Will Schermerhorn, Northern Virginia Magazine, and National Botanic Garden
National Botanic Garden
Upon arrival, Chantilly’s National Botanic Garden may seem more like a mythical land, with arrays of strange plants growing amongst an 827-foot dragon sculpture and a full-scale Hobbit village. The landscape is wild and eclectic, due to the incredible plant diversity. In fact, this garden hosts the largest bamboo forest in the country. The Botanic Garden only allows visitors for a couple of days each month and will be open to the public May 23-24 for the 5th Annual Art in Nature Festival.
Photos: Karl Gercens, gardenvisit.com
Dumbarton Oaks Gardens
Dumbarton Oaks Gardens, located in Georgetown, are an idealistic escape from the bustling city streets. This metropolitan oasis boasts stately orchards and vistas that make the already impressive Dumbarton Oaks estate a living work of art. Quintessentially DC, the property holds a rich history of art, education, and foreign service.
Photos: Exiline Iris Garden
Exline Iris Garden
Iris lovers must pay a visit to Exline, a family-owned garden that grows over 1,400 varieties of bearded irises. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the on-site display garden for free during peak iris bloom season, which begins on May 8th this year.
Photos: virginia.org and fairfaxcounty.gov
Green Spring Gardens
Featuring a native plant garden, soothing bodies of water, a greenhouse, and even a horticultural library, Green Spring Gardens invites guests to wholly immerse themselves in Northern Virginia’s unique natural environment. Those looking to take a step further and develop their own green thumb are invited to attend the garden’s educational programs focused on home gardening and landscaping in the Washington metro area.
Photos: NOVA Parks
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
With nearly 30 different themed garden collections spanning 95 acres, one could easily spend an entire day exploring these vast yet welcoming Northern Virginia grounds. Whether it’s the Butterfly Garden, the Bold Garden, or the Bonsai Pavilion, guests will have no trouble finding a space that resonates with their taste. Visit Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in May to see the month’s feature blooms: tulips, crabapples, snake’s head lily, and common lugwort.
Photos: visitloudoun.org
Oatlands Historic House and Gardens
Those looking to experience classic European landscape design can find it in the English terraces and boxwood-lined parterres at Oatlands Gardens. The reflection pool, tea house, and hiking trails located throughout the grounds create a serene atmosphere perfect for enjoying a spring day. Dating back to the 1800s, the property is a National Trust site dedicated to preserving Oatland’s history along with its beauty.
