Presby Iris Gardens — Attraction in Montclair

My 101 year old grandmother first introduced my sister and I to the Iris Garden in Montclair where we grew up. It is a lovely place to visit and we have annually made the ride every May to see them. The gardens are not as large as it use to be thanks to some spoiled rotten vandals who destroyed many rare specimens of Iris about ten years ago or more. Thanks to donations from private gardeners some were replaced. In this last visit some were in bloom but more will be as the weather warms. Bring a blanket or a chair on a good weather day to sit in the open "lawn above the garden to enjoy the blooms, people watch, Catch a glimpse of the NYC skyline on a clear day if you have time. Parking is sparse because there are tennis courts and the town pool across the street. Mostly street parking only. There us a tour home about the Iris Gardens and I believe tubers for sale. There is a fee to tour the home but not the gardens. There is a annual event in May. Enjoy because once the blooms are done you will have to wait until next spring to see full bloom which depends on the weather. Bloom time can start as early as late April until mid...

A nice little park 11 months of the year transforms into an iris wonderland in late May.

Don’t plan to go just once. Depending on how warm the spring was the blooming can shift by more than a week. Different varieties also bloom at different times, so a week later you’ll see a completely different garden. Finally the light of the day changes how you see the colors.

Try to avoid mid afternoon on the weekends. It’s just too crowded. Early evening on a weekday has low crowds and fantastic light.

Finally let’s talk bathrooms and parking. On street parking quickly fills up. Be prepared to walk if you’re there on a weekend. Consider parking on the street above the garden. Few know it’s there. There are usually two portable bathrooms in a corner of the garden, so fear not.

Pack some bug spray and turn your stay into a picnic on the hill above the garden. People watching can be as interesting...

Around Mothers' day, this is THE place to visit. THOUSANDS of irises. If you go the week before Mothers' day that's ok because the early irises will be in bloom. And if you go the week after, that works too because the late blooming irises will be in full bloom. There are benches to it on or better yet bring a blanket and a picnic basket and have lunch on the grass overlook more colors that a fresh box of crayons! There are restrooms across the street by the tennis courts. You can park on the street but it could be a long walk because Presby is so popular during the 3 or so weeks of eek iris bloom particularly on the weekend. Check out their web site because they have music and other events for the family during iris blooming...