Baltimore's Best Gardens
Visit Baltimore Gardens
Although few tourists venture farther than the Inner Harbor, Baltimore has much more to offer than Camden Yards, The Science Center and the National Aquarium. Join me on a tour of Baltimore's best gardens, all of which are an easy 20 minute drive from the Inner Harbor attractions. Best of all, they are free! Learn about the Howard Peters Rawlings Botanical Garden and Sherwood Gardens.
Baltimore/Washington Gardens Link List
Here's a link list to my favorite public gardens found in the Baltimore Washington region.
- Sherwood Gardens FREE
If you love tulips you'll love this garden. But wait! Sherwood gardens is beautiful in summer, too. Take a look around. - Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore Md. Baltimore City
A wonderfully quaint garden located in Baltimore City, Cylburn Arboretum is blessed with woodland trails filled with native wildflowers in spring, as well as an all American Selection Display garden, a mansion which hosts many garden club events and - Ladew Topiary Gardens, Monkton, Md. Baltimore County ADMISSION
I've always enjoyed visiting Ladew in mid Spring when the whimsical topiary creations are set off nicely by the white garden, the pink garden, the waterlily garden and the formal rose garden set on 25 acres of the property. If you are on a budget you - U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC. FREE
Washington may have it's high profile Cherry Blossom festival, but the National Arboretum has the most fantastic spring azalea displays in our region. Pack a picnic lunch, take your time and make sure you visit the peaceful National Bonsai and Penjin - Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, Md. Montgomery County FREE
Montgomery County's premier garden located in Wheaton Md will not disappoint the garden enthusiast with it's 35 acres filled with changing seasonal displays as well as two beautiful conservatories. Annual events include the butterfly exhibit and the
Garden Gifts
Garden gift ideas from Amazon
Howard Peter Rawlings Conservatory
A Baltimore Historic Landmark
Formerly known as the Druid Hill Conservatory, the Howard Peter Rawlings Conservatory is the crown jewel of Baltimore city's public gardens. Located at the edge of Druid Hill Park, the Conservatory underwent extensive renovations in 2004 when the Mediterranean room, the Tropical room and the Desert room were added. Architecture and history buffs will appreciate the Palm house which dates back to 1888, and the historic Orchid room is always filled with beautiful specimens. The resident horticulturists create three seasonal displays; The Spring Flower show, the Chrysanthemum display and the Poinsettia show. Hours of operation are Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00AM to 4:00PM.
Visiting Hours
Hours of Operation are
10:00 AM to 4 PM
Wednesday through Sunday
The Mediterranean Room
The Mediterranean room is a fragrant oasis. © Chris Scroggins
The Tropical Room
A collection of air plants graces the south facing wall of the Tropical room. © Chris Scroggins
The Desert Room
The desert room is a great place to soak up the winter sun. © Chris Scroggins
The Orchid Room
Blooming orchids are constantly being added by the resident horticulturists. © Chris Scroggins
The Palm House
View a beautiful collection of palms in a unique architectural setting. © Chris Scroggins
Poinsettia Tree, 2011 - A view of the poinsettia tree located inside the orchid room, 2011
© Chris Scroggins
Holiday Display 2009 - La Flor de la Nochebuena, December 12, 2009 - Jan. 3, 2010
© Chris Scroggins
Poinsettia Puebla - This year's holiday display features over 20 varieties of poinsettias in a unique south of the border setting.
Poinsettia Puebla. © Chris Scroggins
Seasonal Displays
A view of the 2008 chrysanthemum display. © Chris Scroggins
The Resident Cat
Lucky visitors may get a glimpse of Puss Puss the resident feline. © Chris Scroggins
Spring 2009: "No Rhyme or Reason" - The Spring Display 2009
Beautiful tulips and hyacinths in the reception area. © Chris Scroggins
Easter Lilles and blue Hydrangeas
Easter lilles and blue hydrangeas. © Chris Scroggins
Pink Parrot Tulips and Hyacinths
Parrot tulips and hyacinths tucked into a sunny corner. © Chris Scroggins
A Picture Perfect Floral Display
A picture perfect floral display in the reception area. © Chris Scroggins
The Dish ran away with the Spoon
The dish ran away with the spoon. © Chris Scroggins
Three Blind Mice
One of the three blind mice on the loose in the Tropical House. © Chris Scroggins
Summertime at Peter Rawlings
© Chris Scroggins
Crape Myrtles
Enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the mature crape myrtles on the east side of the garden.© Chris Scroggins
Summer Perennials
Summertime flowers like these pink and white cosmos attract lots of bees and butterflies. © Chris Scroggins
Butterfly Photography
Skippers, bees and butterflies like this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail will delight photographers looking for attractive nature subjects. © Chris Scroggins
Browse the gift shop
An interesting selection of gardening books and note cards for sale. History buffs will enjoy "Druid Hill Park, the Heart of Historic Baltimore" by Bowditch and Draddy. © Chris Scroggins
Rawlings Conservatory Note Cards - Greeting Cards by Chris Scroggins Photography
- ORCHID FLOWER THANK YOU CARDS
Orchid hobbyists will love these orchid flower thank you cards. Photographed in the Orchid Room of the Rawlings Conservatory. Cards are blank inside. - TULIP FLOWER BIRTHDAY CARDS
Send a birthday wish with these pink tulip flower birthday note cards, perfect birthday cards for tulip lovers and gardeners. Photographed at the Rawlings Conservatory in Baltimore. Cards are blank inside. - ORANGE TULIPS NOTE CARDS
Get bright colorful orange tulips note cards for birthday gifts and holiday gifts for gardeners and flower lovers. Photo created at the Rawlings Conservatory. Cards are blank inside. - KOI FISH THANK YOU CARDS
These sophisticated Koi thank you cards are perfect for men and women water gardeners, koi and carp collectors and aquarium hobbyists. Photograph created at the Peter Rawlings Conservatory. Cards are blank inside.
Garden Flower Cards and Gifts - Floral greeting cards and gifts perfect for all occasions
- CARDS BY CHRIS SCROGGINS
Do you love animals, wildlife and nature, too? Browse my boxed note-cards of animals like foxes, raccoons, bears, frogs, wolves etc- wildlife birthday cards, thank you cards, nature quotes cards and more. - Flower and Garden Photography Gifts
Are you looking for a special holiday gift for friends or family interested in gardening and flowers? Browse my online gift shop, Animal/Flower/Wildlife and Nature Cards and Gifts for all occasion cards, floral home décor like coffee mugs and framed - Colorful Flower Birthday Cards
I offer a colorful selection of flower cards with birthday greetings created from my favorite photos of Rawlings Conservatory, The National Arboretum, Cylburn Arboretum and Brookside Gardens.
Books on Orchids and Orchid growing
Orchid books are great holiday gift ideas for the orchid grower you know.
Baltimore Gardens Festivals/Events
Keep these garden festivals in mind for next Spring.
- Mt Vernon Flowermart, Baltimore City FREE
Located in Mt Vernon Square near the Peabody Conservatory, this historical festival is famous not only for it's flower vendors but for it's hat contest. Be sure to bring your camera, The architecture on Mt Vernon Square is beautiful. - Cylburn Market Day FREE
Traditionally held the Saturday before Mother's Day, this is a great opportunity to buy young plants from many of the area's garden clubs. Stop by the Maryland Rose Society booth to purchase mini and micro mini roses, a great gift idea for Mother's D - Maryland Home and Garden Pilgrimage- Baltimore City: Homeland ADMISSION
Although admission is a bit pricey, I've always enjoyed the Maryland Home and Garden Pilgrimage Tours. Seven homes in Homeland, Baltimore City are featured this year. This tour occurs Saturday May 9th from 10AM to 5PM. You can save 5$ by purchasing t - The Baltimore Herb Festival FREE
Traditionally held the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, this festival delights all with the large variety of herbs and herb related products. HINT: You'll be much more comfortable browsing and transporting your precious purchases back to the designa
Rawlings Conservatory Membership
Would you like to become a member and support the Rawlings Conservatory?
Membership Levels:
Student/Senior:$20
Individual:$30
Household: $40
Send to:
Baltimore Conservatory Association
P.O.Box 5668
Baltimore, Md. 21210
- Baltimore Conservatory Association, Inc.
Get info on membership and volunteer opportunities here.
An inspiring book for Brown Thumb Gardeners
If you're like me, you'd rather visit and photograph great gardens than create them! Here's a gem of a book for you or the plant challenged person in your life.
If you enjoyed your visit here, please leave me a note. You can let me know which photos you like most, too. Please pass this link on to anyone who might enjoy learning about Baltimore's special gardens. Thanks!
