Acres of Tranquil Gardens
With magnolias trees, lily pads, cacti and more, this 52-acre horticultural oasis is flourishing with every plant, tree and flower imaginable. Take a time-out from the hectic pace of New York City and spend an afternoon exploring the lavishly landscaped grounds and gardens. Visit Cranford Rose Garden and behold the sight of 5,000 thriving rose bushes in more than 1,000 varieties cascading, crawling and blanketing every surface. Breathe deeply and enjoy the aromatic scents in the Fragrance Garden. Created for the blind, this small oval plot houses four beds brimming with scented plants and flowers, including lemon verbena, rose geranium and Indian patchouli. Stroll through the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, an idyllic setting to clear your mind and meditate on life. Built in 1915 and restored in 2000, it was the first Japanese garden constructed in the United States; it features a pond, bridges, gates and tranquil walkways. The Steinhardt Conservatory holds everything from aquatic to desert plants. Also housed in the conservatory is the Bonsai Museum, where you can hone your inner Mr. Miyagi and learn about the miniature trees, some of which are more than 100 years old. Green thumbs can stock up on gardening tools, bulbs and plants at the gift shop, while black thumbs can purchase jewelry and botanical prints. Don’t worry if your visit falls during the colder months; there’s something abloom here year-round: In April more than 1,000 cherry trees burst with pink blossoms. Perennials take center stage in July, and the garden explodes into shades of gold, orange and red in October and November.