Touring the Gardens of Maryland

Spring is in bloom at these dazzling destination spots

Written by Linda Harkcom

Ladew Topiary Gardens

Located North of Baltimore, Ladew Topiary Gardens of Monkton, Md., has 22 acres of gardens that were artfully designed and developed by Harvey S. Ladew (1887-1976). Executive Director of the Ladew Topiary Gardens, Emily Emerick, says 50,000 people tour the gardens each year.

According to its website, these gardens and the historic fully restored Manor House are known throughout the world. They have been named “One of the Top 5 Gardens in North America,” and deemed “the most outstanding topiary garden in America” by the Garden Club of America. The gardens have also been featured as one of “Ten incredible topiary gardens around the world” by Architectural Digest

“Our most popular attractions at Ladew Gardens are the massive, artful topiaries. Dotted throughout the property, Ladew’s topiary excellence knows no bounds and includes more than 100 larger-than-life topiaries,” Emerick says. “This season, we have trimmed more topiaries than ever before, and guests will find new designs in several of the garden rooms.”

The topiaries are the centerpieces of the gardens and define a series of garden “rooms,” which Emerick says Ladew Topiary Gardens is celebrated and admired for.

Sherwood Gardens

Located in Northern Baltimore City, Md., in the center of the Registered Historic District known as Guilford, lies Sherwood Gardens. This privately owned community park, originally called Stratford Green, is renowned for its annual tulip display, created in the 1920s by John W. Sherwood.

“Many thousands of people from near and far visit Sherwood Gardens annually. Visitors come from the local community, other states and other countries, drawn by Sherwood Garden’s reputation for its annual tulip display. We plant up to 70,000 new tulip bulbs imported from Holland each year,” says Margaret Alton, trustee, Stratford Green Inc.

When creating the garden, Sherwood adhered to Olmsted Design Principles by utilizing native plants, rare trees and flowering shrubs that that complimented his tulips.

“The entire Olmsted designed Park is the attraction. It is an enjoyable place just to be, no matter the season. And it is a beautiful scene to observe. The long view highlights Olmstedian principles displaying serpentine flower beds, long vistas and ‘living rooms,’ all of which inspires a sense of pleasure, peace and camaraderie,” Alton says.

Alton, describes Stratford Green, is an oasis of beautiful green space year-round.

“In addition to tulips and summer flowers, the Park provides open spaces for gatherings, to just sit and read or to have a leisurely walk. And it is free,” Alton says.

Alton explains that the park, and its beautiful gardens, are private, yet open to the public without a fee.

“This amazing Park in Baltimore City is 100 percent privately funded. There is no public funding of any kind.

“The layout is organized into specific themed sections with perfectly planned blooms and foliage. Garden Rooms include newly-renovated Woodland Garden, Victorian Garden, Pink Garden, Yellow Garden, Garden of Eden, Water Lily Garden, Sculpture Garden, Iris Garden and many more,” Emerick says.

She explains that these Garden Rooms are ever-changing and transforming each day.

“Each time you visit Ladew, you have an entirely different experience which truly keeps our visitors and members coming back,” Emerick says.

She says the “rooms” are one of the many aspects for which the destination is most known.

“We’re also known for our robust programming and community involvement. There’s something for everyone,” Emerick says.

Admission to the gardens and manor home is $17 for adults, $12 for seniors (62+) and students, $5 for children (2-12) and free for children under 2. The garden is open April 1 through Oct. 31. Check www.ladewgardens.com for hours and more information.

We never tire of thanking all the people who so generously support this beautiful space for others to enjoy,” Alton says. For more information on Sherwood Gardens, Alton recommends visiting its website, www.sherwoodgardens.org.

Brookside Gardens and McCrillis Gardens

Montgomery County features two public gardens that are both free and open to the public year-round.

Brookside Gardens, a facility of Montgomery Parks, the MarylandNational Capital Park and Planning Commission, is located in Wheaton Regional Park in Wheaton, Md. The award-winning 50-acre public display garden hosts about 1.1 million visitors a year, according to Stephanie Oberle, director of Brookside Gardens.

“Brookside Gardens is so popular because it is beautiful, accessible and always changing. The curated plant collections and beautiful landscapes make Brookside Gardens a regional and national destination for folks from outside the area, and as the place to take your guests from out of town. For the locals, Brookside Gardens is the most beautiful next-door garden for everyone to share. And for those who want to learn more about horticulture, we offer a variety of programs, events and classes for learners of all ages and abilities,” Oberle says.

The Brookside Gardens have several distinct areas including Aquatic Garden, Azalea Garden, Butterfly Garden, Children’s Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Style Garden, Trial Garden, Rain Garden and the Woodland Walk. The Formal Gardens areas encompass a Perennial Garden, Yew Garden, the Maple Terrace, and Fragrance Garden. Oberle says that seasonally, Brookside Gardens’ flower displays are the most popular attraction, especially the spring tulip display in April, the azaleas in May and roses in June.

“Our visitors love the colorful and fragrant flowers and take many pictures with their families and friends. Brookside Gardens is a popular destination for weddings and other social events, when the Gardens become the backdrop for a lifetime of memories,” Oberle says.

Brookside Gardens is open every day from sunrise to sunset with no admission fee. For those wishing to make Brookside Gardens host a special event there, Oberle recommends visiting its website, www.brookside gardens.org, to learn more about available sites and fees.

McCrillis Gardens is a naturalistic garden located within a residential neighborhood in Bethesda, Md. The five-acre property was donated to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in 1978 by William and Virginia McCrillis and is managed by Brookside Gardens.

“McCrillis Gardens is a little oasis in the suburbs, yet rich with a variety of unusual shade-loving trees and shrubs. At five acres, it’s just large enough to wander and explore. We have some particularly nice azaleas and flowering trees, which folks in the DC area look to for inspiration for their own gardens at home,” Oberle says.

According to the website, the Gardens feature paths that wind through ornamental trees and shrubs. It also includes bulbs, ground covers and shade-loving perennials that offer color and texture year-round.

“Our visitors are attracted to the quiet greenness of McCrillis Gardens, whether it’s a nook to sit and read a book or a short ramble through the garden. There’s a peacefulness there that surrounds you,” Oberle says.

There is no parking on site, so Oberle suggests that visitors should be prepared to park on the street and walk into McCrillis Gardens. The gardens open daily from 10 a.m. to sunset. For more information on McCrillis Gardens, visit montgomeryparks.org.