A few weeks ago we finally visited the Leonard J Buck Gardens in Far Hills NJ.
Each year we travel north to go to a giant rummage sale in that area and each year we try to also catch this gardens before it closes for the day. We never make it! So we decided to take a special trip just for the gardens.
We recently bought a fancy camera, so we thought it was a good time to test that out as well.
Since every other visit we never made it more than a few steps from the front gate, I had no clue what the rest of the garden would be like or how big it was. Bc of covid, the garden was set up as an all one way walk, but there were still several paths you could take.
Each path meanders thru natural woods with planted out crops, ponds, streams, rocky arrangements, and lawns. Although much of the flora is planted and curated, the garden feels natural, beautiful and exciting. There are foot bridges, steep paths, natural stairs, wood banesters, lots of interesting plants to look at, and tons of chipmunks!
There were a few other critters we noticed, too. And some very strange plants that we had never seen before. If anyone knows what the some of these weird flowers are, be sure to identify them in the comments.
We happened on quite a few fungi.
The park asks you to keep your trip to about an hour, which due to the one way course is about enough time to walk thru twice, and take two different paths. I can imagine under normal circumstances, one could spend a lot more time trying to see everything there is to offer.
The gardens are free, but there are donation boxes available at the entrance. The staff were helpful. Everyone visiting wore masks and maintained social distance. It was a great way to spend an hour or so and I would love to return in different seasons to see changes through out the garden.
Have you visited the Leonard J Buck Gardens? Do you have a garden similar near you?
