Irises typically bloom briefly in spring and are often found in other gardens and nature centers, rather than being the main attraction. But at the beautiful Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in Upper Montclair, they truly take center stage. Known as one of “The Best Public Gardens In America”, this unique garden comes to life from mid-May to the first week of June when Mountainside Park transforms into a rainbow of colors with over 14,000 irises in about 3,000 varieties. Scroll down for this special spot in Montclair. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)

Presby Memorial Iris Gardens

See a rainbow of color

From mid-May to the first week of June, more than 10,000 blooms are on view at the Presby Iris Memorial Gardens. The garden was originally established in 1927 as a memorial to horticulturist, founder of the American Iris Society, and Montclair resident Frank H. Presby. Today, the blooms at this living museum include specialty varieties named for Frank Presby, such as Presby’s Crown Jewel Iris and the Presby Honors 9/11 Iris. And you won’t see only the typical purple—the varieties span a spectrum of colors, including yellow, burgundy, white, and orange. Inspired to plant your own? Visit the gift shop or the website to get the details for creating your own Iris garden. 

Easy to access and walk through

As you enter the garden, you’ll see winding walking paths to explore, a charming gazebo, a peaceful reflecting pool, a small museum, and even a gift shop to pop into. As you stroll along, you’ll notice just how beautifully maintained everything is—the grass, the pathways, and all the vibrant flowers really make it feel special and give you plenty of photo ops for the ‘gram. Some parts of the garden are a bit hilly (the area near Highland Avenue is the highest point), but that adds a little adventure to your walk. It’s also a wonderful, family-friendly spot—kids will love wandering the paths and finding the most colorful blooms (though let them know touching the flowers isn’t allowed). One of the highlights of Presby is the PresBee Sanctuary, home to 7 active hives and more than 100,000 Italian honeybees, where you can observe all the buzz around the flowers. If you want to spend more time here, plan to bring a picnic lunch, where you can sit among the blooms, and kids can explore the gazebo and grounds. 

FAQs

Can I bring a stroller?

The paths are all made of grass, so it is not as easy to push a stroller through the area. We recommend bringing a baby carrier.

When can I visit?

During the annual spring Bloom Season, the garden is open for visiting and viewing on weekdays, weekends, and Memorial Day. There is a suggested donation of $10 per person.

Is there a gift shop?

There is a Bloom Room Gift Shop in the 1851 Historic Walther House, adjacent to the gardens. It is a little difficult to access the gift shop because the entrance has a seven-step wooden staircase with a handrail, so if you are planning to visit, you will need to leave a stroller to the side. The Walther House is open 11 AM-3 PM, Tuesdays-Sundays, and is closed on Mondays; the gift shop typically remains open until early June.

Is food available?

Picnic tables are available above the gardens so that you can bring your own lunch. There is no restaurant on site.

Where can I park?

Street parking is available on Upper Mountain Avenue (parking is prohibited past Presby’s driveway). The garden is also accessible from Highland Avenue at the top of the hill, but it is difficult to reach if you are traveling with someone with limited mobility. We parked on Upper Mountain Avenue, and we found that people came and went, so parking seemed to open up easily as long as you don’t visit during peak times. 

Visit the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens on their website, Instagram, or Facebook.

Presby Memorial Iris Gardens
474 Upper Mountain Avenue
Upper Montclair, NJ 07043

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