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Botanical Gardens in Pennsylvania

30 botanical gardens in Pennsylvania with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Montgomery County has the most (6). The darkest skies are at Lee and Virginia Graver Arboretum (Bortle 5).

Top botanical gardens

Jenkins ArboretumBotanical Garden
Jenkins ArboretumChester County
Awbury ArboretumBotanical Garden
Awbury ArboretumPhiladelphia County
Morris ArboretumBotanical Garden
Morris ArboretumMontgomery County
Bartram's GardenBotanical Garden
Bartram's GardenPhiladelphia County
Merion Botanical ParkBotanical Garden
Merion Botanical ParkMontgomery County
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical GardensBotanical Garden
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical GardensAllegheny County
Japanese House and GardenBotanical Garden
Japanese House and GardenPhiladelphia County
Longwood GardensBotanical Garden
Longwood GardensChester County
Curtis Hall ArboretumBotanical Garden
Curtis Hall ArboretumMontgomery County
Reading Public MuseumBotanical Garden
Reading Public MuseumBerks County
Chanticleer GardenBotanical Garden
Chanticleer GardenDelaware County
Erie ZooBotanical Garden
Erie ZooErie County

Botanical Gardens by county

All botanical gardens (30)

NameCountyElevationNearest townSky
Jenkins ArboretumChester County126 mDevon7
Awbury ArboretumPhiladelphia County88 mGermantown9
Morris ArboretumMontgomery County67 mFlourtown8
Bartram's GardenPhiladelphia County—Bartram Village9
Merion Botanical ParkMontgomery County71 mOverbrook9
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical GardensAllegheny County—Bloomfield7
Japanese House and GardenPhiladelphia County—Mill Creek9
Longwood GardensChester County—Kennett Square5
Curtis Hall ArboretumMontgomery County—Wyndmoor9
Reading Public MuseumBerks County—West Reading8
Chanticleer GardenDelaware County—Wayne8
Erie ZooErie County—Erie7
Arboretum VillanovaDelaware County—Radnor8
The Arboretum at Penn StateCentre County—State College7
Arboretum of the Barnes FoundationMontgomery County—Overbrook9
Bowman's Hill Wildflower PreserveBucks County—New Hope6
Lake Erie ArboretumErie County—Erie7
Lee and Virginia Graver ArboretumNorthampton County—Belfast5
McDade ParkLackawanna County—Taylor7
Hershey GardensDauphin County—Hershey6
Scott ArboretumDelaware County—Swarthmore8
Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical GardenAllegheny County—Bloomfield7
Henry Foundation for Botanical ResearchMontgomery County—Bryn Mawr8
Taylor Memorial ArboretumDelaware County—Brookhaven8
Peiffer Memorial Arboretum and Nature PreserveCumberland County—New Cumberland7
Henry Schmieder ArboretumBucks County—New Britain6
WelkinweirChester County—Chester Springs5
Pittsburgh Botanic GardenAllegheny County—Oakdale5
John J. Tyler ArboretumDelaware County116 mLima7
Appleford/Parsons-Banks ArboretumMontgomery County—West Conshohocken8

Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).

Map

How to photograph botanical gardens

Gardens are best on bright overcast days or early mornings when dew is fresh and the wind is calm.

  • A macro lens or close-up filter opens a world of detail — try a shallow aperture against a soft background.
  • Many gardens restrict tripods or charge for photography; check the rules before you go.
  • Backlit petals glow; position yourself so the sun is behind the flower.
  • Seasonal exhibits (orchids, tulips, cherry blossoms) draw crowds — arrive at opening.
  • Kaleidoscopic and abstract images are great for flower close-ups — try the online kaleidoscope tool.

Season: Spring bulbs and blossoms, summer perennials and autumn color; glasshouses offer winter subjects.