Soon To Reopen, 28-Acre Millburn Attraction Makes National List

MILLBURN, NJ — A popular public garden in Millburn, full of flora and architecture, just made the top of a new list of the 200 “Best Public Gardens in America” for 2023.

Greenwood Gardens, the childhood home of Peter Blanchard — whose family donated it to the public — came in at number 26 on Good Plant Care’s list, which surveyed 3,000 people and can be seen here.

Although people can wander through the garden at their own pace, it has ongoing educational programs and tours.

The site is located four miles from Maplewood.

You can read more about the site, and get tickets, here.

READ MORE: His Boyhood Home In NJ Became Public Garden: Peter Blanchard Dies, 70

Four other locations in New Jersey made the list, but Greenwood Gardens was highest. Botanical Garden in Montclair also ranked in the top 200. READ MORE: Botanical Garden In Montclair Makes List Of 'Best In America'

Other New Jersey sites on the list were Rutgers Gardens in New Brunswick (#29), Willowwood Arboretum in Chester Township (#143), Skylands New Jersey Botanical Garden in Ringwood (#167), and Deep Cut Gardens in Middletown Township (#188).

The top public garden in the United States, according to Good Plant Care: Koko Crater Botanical Garden in Hawaii.

“Visiting public gardens is a timeless pastime that continues to be popular for many reasons,” said Tina Ho of Good Plant Care.

“These green spaces provide a respite from our busy lives and a chance to connect with nature in a peaceful, tranquil setting,” Ho said. “In an increasingly digital age, public gardens offer a way to unplug and unwind, and to experience the beauty and diversity of the natural world firsthand.”

PRIOR REPORTING: 28-Acre Greenwood Gardens Open To Public