The New Jersey State Botanical Gardens at Skylands
Ringwood, New Jersey


by Jean LeBlanc

The Ramapo Mountains of northern New Jersey are rugged and lovely; to contemplate this landscape today is to glimpse what this part of the continent must have looked like before Europeans began to make their mark here. Look more closely, and the history of the past 200 years becomes apparent: stones walls criss-cross the woods; remnants of the iron mining industry dot the hills; historic homes hold the secrets of other lives. Ringwood State Park offers numerous trails for exploring the Ramapos. In the midst of the wildness is a jewel of a garden in the Garden State.

This is a place for all seasons. A winter garden of evergreens provides visual interest with a mix of textures and colors. In autumn, migrating birds stop to feast on the berries of numerous shrubs all around the grounds. And oh, spring and summer: lilacs; magnolias; the constant swirl of butterflies, hummingbirds, bees around the ever-changing perennial beds; a shady fern garden; a wildflower area complete with frog pond – every step through this place provides new delights for the senses.

The centerpiece of the New Jersey State Botanical Garden is Skylands Manor; the manor is open for tours at select times. Wildlife also abounds in the area; a short walk around the wooded edges of the garden may offer a glimpse of a turkey hen and her chicks. The rhododendron garden with its underplanting of columbine is fenced off to keep out hungry deer (but humans are more than welcome to walk amidst the lush foliage). Bring a camera or a sketch pad; you'll be inspired. For directions and information about upcoming events, see the garden's website: www.njbg.org.

--by Jean LeBlanc of Newton, New Jersey

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