Spring is in full swing and that means flowers! New Jersey has come alive with color and one of the best places to enjoy it all is the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. I visited just yesterday and was thrilled to find the flowers in bloom – a week ago, there were only buds. The park was also practically empty. Yesterday, it was bustling with seniors snapping prom photos and yet, it was still so peaceful. I’m not quite sure how…there must be magic in the air.

Montclair resident Frank H. Presby, one of the founders of the American Iris Society, dreamed of starting an Iris garden in Montclair.
Image/Kristen Koennemann
He passed away before his dream was realized but another resident worked to establish a garden in his honor.
Image/Kristen Koennemann
The gorgeous gardens feature 26 Iris beds (as of my last count), and each breed of Iris is labeled. There are approximately 10,000 Irises (100,000 blooms) and 1,500 species.
Image/Kristen Koennemann
Stroll the picturesque pathways and perhaps relax on one of the benches. There is also a small picnic area!
Image/Kristen Koennemann

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Though this may not be a spot for strenuous exercise, it's the perfect place to spend a spring day. Peak blooming season spans from mid-May until the first week of June.
Image/Kristen Koennemann
Visitors will also enjoy the Bloom Room Gift Shop, open between May 10-June 2, from 10-3. You'll find gardening tools, books, birdhouses, and more.
Image/Kristen Koennemann
No money to shop? No problem. The grounds are free, though, as a non-profit, donations are appreciated. Volunteers are also needed.
Image/Kristen Koennemann
A pet-friendly destination, dogs aren't the only animal you will find...I spotted a cheerful little chipmunk.
Image/Kristen Koennemann
The gardens back to a field that includes several trees and shrubs, chosen specifically for their branching patterns, colors, etcetera. Each is fairly rare.
Image/Kristen Koennemann

If all of this isn’t reason enough to visit, the gardens host several special events. In addition to plant sales, they host an annual garden party (check back next year) and free music on the weekends (from 4-6). Open from dawn to dusk daily, you can find the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens at 474 Upper Mountain Avenue, Upper Montclair. If you’re in the area for a visit, also check out the nearby Van Vleck House & Gardens (21 Van Vleck Street, Montclair). For more gorgeous gardens in New Jersey, check out this list.

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