Welcome to the New Jersey Botanical Garden

NJBG Events

Programs are free unless otherwise noted. Donations are gratefully accepted. For events that require reservations, or for questions, please call the NJBG office at (973) 962-9534.

All events begin or take place at the Carriage House Visitor Center unless otherwise specified.

There is a $5.00 per car State Park parking fee on summer Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. At all other times, parking is free.

Skylands is a carry-in, carry-out State Park facility. Please carry your trash and litter back out with you and dispose of it properly.

Remember, no pets, picnics, alcohol, balls, frisbees, nor lawn games are permitted in the Botanical Garden.

Spring-Summer 2013

** DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE **

Free Guided Garden Tours - Sundays, 2 p.m., May through October. Steady rain cancels.

Download the entire Spring 2013 NJBG calendar of events.

May

May 3 (Friday), 6:30 pm
Plant Sale - Members' Preview & Reception. We thank our members each year with an invitation to the special pre-opening to our annual Plant Sale. You'll love the array of unusual specimens! NJBG members only.
May 4 (Saturday), 10 am-4 pm
Plant Sale. Perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, hanging baskets, and potted plants. Knowledgeable Master Gardeners will be on hand to offer advice, and the plants are lush and healthy. Come early for the best selections. FREE admission.
May 5 (Sunday), 10 am-4 pm
Plant Sale. Perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, hanging baskets, and potted plants. Knowledgeable Master Gardeners will be on hand to offer advice, and the plants are lush and healthy. Come early for the best selections. FREE admission.
May 5 (Sunday), 11 am-3 pm
Skylands Manor Tours. Historic tours guided by knowledgeable NJBG docents. The last tour begins at 3 pm. Manor House tour dates are subject to change; please check back. Donation: Adults: $7; Seniors: $5; Students 13-18: $5; Children 6-12: $3; Under 6: Free.
May 11 (Saturday), 12 noon-4 pm
Lilac Garden Splendor. The Lilac Garden is a large collection of these sweet-scented and prolific spring beauties, in the peak of bloom this time of year. Members of NJBG's Lilac team will be in this part of the Garden to answer any questions you might have. FREE.
May 11 (Saturday), 1 pm
Deer-Resistant Plantings. [GS] Bambi is charming, but not when he's eating your favorite plants. Emil Rostello of Jacobsen's Landscaping will suggest great plants, ideas, and tricks to help make your garden more deer-resistant. $5 donation requested.
May 11 (Saturday), 3 pm
Second Saturday Gardeners Workshop. [GS] Learn by doing, led by expereinced gardeners. We'll field a volunteer team to work on a project in the Botanical Garden, with an educational session at 3:30. Bring gloves if you have them. Meet at the Carriage House. Rain cancels. FREE.
May 12 (Sunday), 10 am-4 pm
Plant Sale. Perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, hanging baskets, and potted plants. Knowledgeable Master Gardeners will be on hand to offer advice, and the plants are lush and healthy. Come early for the best selections. FREE admission.
May 12 (Sunday), 12 noon-4 pm
Lilac Garden Splendor. The Lilac Garden is a large collection of these sweet-scented and prolific spring beauties, in the peak of bloom this time of year. Members of NJBG's Lilac team will be in this part of the Garden to answer any questions you might have. FREE.
May 18 (Saturday), 10 am
Spring Wildflower Walk. [GS] Join Nancy Bristow in checking out the early bloomers in the Wildflower Garden! Wear sturdy shoes, meet at the Carriage House. Rain cancels. $5 donation.
May 19 (Sunday), 1 pm
Family Woodland Hike. An easy, kid-friendly hike in the Garden's woodlands where you'll learn a bit about the plants, animals, and geology around you in a hike designed to fit the group. Smaller children may need to be carried. Wear sturdy shoes, meet at the Carriage House Visitor Center. Rain cancels. FREE.

June

June 1 (Saturday), 10 am
Lilac Care Workshops. [GS] Come work in the Lilac Garden and get a hands-on lesson in lilac pruning, thinning, dead-heading and general lilac care from Dan Ryniec, former Lilac Curator at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Rain Date: June 22. FREE.
June 2 (Sunday), 11 am-3 pm
Skylands Manor Tours. Historic tours guided by knowledgeable NJBG docents. The last tour begins at 3 pm. Manor House tour dates are subject to change; please check back. Donation: Adults: $7; Seniors: $5; Students 13-18: $5; Children 6-12: $3; Under 6: Free.
June 8 (Saturday), 1 pm-3 pm
Second Saturday Gardeners Workshop. [GS] Learn by doing, led by expereinced gardeners. We'll field a volunteer team to work on a project in the Botanical Garden, with an educational session at 1:30. Bring gloves if you have them. Meet at the Carriage House. Rain cancels. FREE.
June 14 (Friday), 6:30 pm
Summer Concert - Brassworks. Bring on the brass -- everything from classical to ragtime. $5 donation requested.
Sponsored by Coachworks.
June 15 (Saturday), 10 am
Lilac Care Workshops. [GS] Come work in the Lilac Garden and get a hands-on lesson in lilac pruning, thinning, dead-heading and general lilac care from Dan Ryniec, former Lilac Curator at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Rain Date: June 22. FREE.
June 16 (Sunday), 1 pm
Family Woodland Hike. An easy, kid-friendly hike in the Garden's woodlands where you'll learn a bit about the plants, animals, and geology around you in a hike designed to fit the group. Smaller children may need to be carried. Wear sturdy shoes, meet at the Carriage House Visitor Center. Rain cancels. FREE.
June 23 (Sunday), 10 am
Bluebird Nature Walk. [GS] Bluebirds, Nest Boxes and how they help. Join us for a walk of the garden and fields as we visit the volunteer-installed nest boxes and learn why they are important to the Eastern Bluebird. We will also identify the birds and butterflies seen along the way. Meet at the Carriage House. Rain cancels. FREE.
Presented by the Bergen County Audubon Society.
June 23 (Sunday), 1 pm
Art in the Garden: Digital Photography. Photographers Melina Fuda and Milan Ljumovic introduce you to the many wonderful artistic effects you can accomplish when you combine beautiful flowers with a digital camera. Learn how to take landscape photography also. Bring your own camera! After a program in the Carriage House, try out new-found ideas in the Botanical Garden (weather permitting). $5 donation requested.
This program is presented as part of the Garden State Garden Consortium's 'Art in the Garden' series throughout New Jersey.
June 23 (Sunday), 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
NJBG Summer Garden Party. Explore Edgecroft, one of Bergen County's most beautiful private gardens, at a gala Summer Garden Party to benefit NJBG's work at the Botanical Garden. Enjoy a lovely summer buffet supper, a sweets table, interesting summer wines, convival conversation, and great prizes. NEW this year: fine classic cars from Coachworks and a tour of historic Edgecroft mansion. Tickets available at (973) 962-9534 or online here. Proceeds benefit the NJBG/Skylands Association. $50 per person.
Held off-site in River Edge, N.J.
June 28 (Friday), 6:30 pm
Summer Concert - The Kootz. Your favorite Rock 'n' Roll to kick up the summer heat. (Visit The Kootz band website). $5 donation requested.
Sponsored by Prominent Properties Sotheby's International Realty.

Summer Concerts 2013: New Time! Fridays at 6:30 pm
This project is funded, in part, by the Passaic County Cultural and Heritage Council at Passaic County Community College, through a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Grab your lawn chair and come enjoy a beautiful summer evening on the concert lawn at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden. (In inclement weather, concerts are moved into the Carriage House Visitor Center.) Light Refreshments available; no alcohol, balls, or dogs, please (State Park rules.)

June 14 (Friday), 6:30 pm
Summer Concert - Brassworks. Bring on the brass -- everything from classical to ragtime. $5 donation requested.
Sponsored by Coachworks.
June 28 (Friday), 6:30 pm
Summer Concert - The Kootz. Your favorite Rock 'n' Roll to kick up the summer heat. (Visit The Kootz band website). $5 donation requested.
Sponsored by Prominent Properties Sotheby's International Realty.
July 12 (Friday), 6:30 pm
Summer Concert - Loretta Hagen. A rising folk music star, her lilting sound will charm you. (Visit Loretta Hagen's website). $5 donation requested.
Sponsored by The Savitz Organization.
July 26 (Friday), 6:30 pm
Summer Concert - The Dalton Gang. A mighty mix of jazz, funk, and Latin music. (Visit The Dalton Gang website). $5 donation requested.
Sponsored by TD Bank.
August 9 (Friday), 6:30 pm
Summer Concert - Rave On! Classic early rock 'n' roll -- great tunes, great memories. (Visit the Rave On website). $5 donation requested.
Sponsored by The Rita Auriemma Foundation and Mondelez.
August 23 (Friday), 6:30 pm
Summer Concert - Carolann Solebello & Band. Folk with a sophisticated contemporary sound. (Visit the Carolann Solebello & Band website). $5 donation requested.
Sponsored by American Wear.

YOUR GARDEN
Come visit often for a constantly-changing display of color and bloom sure to cheer your heart. The Botanical Garden is open every day from 8 am to 8 pm Garden admission is always free. $5 per car parking fee on summer weekends and holidays. Weekday parking is free.

[GS] GARDEN SATURDAYS
Our interesting and varied program series offers you a brand-new adventure on Saturday mornings.

MANOR TOURS
...are offered on Sunday afternoons, March through November. Knowledgeable docents will introduce you to the architecture and history of beautiful Skylands Manor. Adults: $7; Seniors: $5; Students 13-18: $5; Children 6-12: $3; Under 6: Free. Please check the calendar for exact dates and times.

GIFT SHOP
Sunday afternoons from 12 noon-4 pm, April through December (weather permitting). Great gift ideas, shirts, books, garden supplies, and children's items. Credit cards accepted.

HIKE & BIKE
Always a pleasure on the Garden's many safe and beautiful hiking & biking trails.

FAMILY WOODLAND WALK
Our easy, kid-friendly walks one Sunday afternoon each month are a great way to explore nature. Free.

VOLUNTEER IN THE GARDEN
NJBG volunteers help maintain the gardens, give tours, and offer many other public services. To volunteer, inquire at the office. We'd love to have you!

PLEASE REMEMBER...
Pets, picnics, alcohol, balls, frisbees, and lawn games are prohibited from the Botanical Garden. Skylands is a carry-in, carry-out State Park facility. Please carry your trash and litter back out with you and dispose of it properly.