Baltimore's Best Gardens

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Visit Baltimore Gardens

Although few tourists venture farther than the Inner Harbor, Baltimore has much more to offer than Camden Yards, The Science Center and the National Aquarium. Join me on a tour of Baltimore's best gardens, all of which are an easy 20 minute drive from the Inner Harbor attractions. Best of all, they are free! Learn about the Howard Peters Rawlings Botanical Garden and Sherwood Gardens.

Howard Peter Rawlings Conservatory

All Images © 2009-2011 Chris Scroggins Photography

Formerly known as the Druid Hill Conservatory, the Howard Peter Rawlings Conservatory is the crown jewel of Baltimore city's public gardens. Located at the edge of Druid Hill Park, the Conservatory underwent extensive renovations in 2004 when the Mediterranean room, the Tropical room and the Desert room were added. Architecture and history buffs will appreciate the Palm house which dates back to 1888, and the historic Orchid room is always filled with beautiful specimens. The resident horticulturists create three seasonal displays; The Spring Flower show, the Chrysanthemum display and the Poinsettia show. Hours of operation are Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00AM to 4:00PM.

Visiting Hours

Hours of Operation are
10:00 AM to 4 PM
Wednesday through Sunday

Holiday Poinsettia Display, 2011

2011 Holiday Display
December 10- January 1, 2012

A view of the poinsettia tree located inside the orchid room.

© Chris Scroggins

This year's holiday show includes a toy train garden filled with true to life scenes like this:

© Chris Scroggins

The Mediterranean Room

The Mediterranean room is a fragrant oasis. © Chris Scroggins

The Tropical Room

A collection of air plants graces the south facing wall of the Tropical room. © Chris Scroggins

The Desert Room

The desert room is a great place to soak up the winter sun. © Chris Scroggins

The Orchid Room

Blooming orchids are constantly being added by the resident horticulturists. © Chris Scroggins

The Palm House

View a beautiful collection of palms in a unique architectural setting. © Chris Scroggins

Holiday Display 2009

La Flor de la Nochebuena, December 12, 2009 - Jan. 3, 2010

© Chris Scroggins

Poinsettia Puebla

This year's holiday display features over 20 varieties of poinsettias in a unique south of the border setting.

Poinsettia Puebla. © Chris Scroggins

Seasonal Displays

A view of the 2008 chrysanthemum display. © Chris Scroggins

The Resident Cat

Lucky visitors may get a glimpse of Puss Puss the resident feline. © Chris Scroggins

Spring 2009: "No Rhyme or Reason"

The Spring Display 2009

Beautiful tulips and hyacinths in the reception area. © Chris Scroggins

Easter Lilles and blue Hydrangeas

Easter lilles and blue hydrangeas. © Chris Scroggins

Pink Parrot Tulips and Hyacinths

Parrot tulips and hyacinths tucked into a sunny corner. © Chris Scroggins

A Picture Perfect Floral Display

A picture perfect floral display in the reception area. © Chris Scroggins

The Dish ran away with the Spoon

The dish ran away with the spoon. © Chris Scroggins

Three Blind Mice

One of the three blind mice on the loose in the Tropical House. © Chris Scroggins

Summertime at Peter Rawlings

© Chris Scroggins

Crape Myrtles

Enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the mature crape myrtles on the east side of the garden.© Chris Scroggins

Summer Perennials

Summertime flowers like these pink and white cosmos attract lots of bees and butterflies. © Chris Scroggins

Butterfly Photography

Skippers, bees and butterflies like this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail will delight photographers looking for attractive nature subjects. © Chris Scroggins

Browse the gift shop

An interesting selection of gardening books and note cards for sale. History buffs will enjoy "Druid Hill Park, the Heart of Historic Baltimore" by Bowditch and Draddy. © Chris Scroggins

Rawlings Conservatory Note Cards

Greeting Cards by Chris Scroggins Photography

ORCHID FLOWER THANK YOU CARDS
Orchid hobbyists will love these orchid flower thank you cards. Photographed in the Orchid Room of the Rawlings Conservatory. Cards are blank inside.
TULIP FLOWER BIRTHDAY CARDS
Send a birthday wish with these pink tulip flower birthday note cards, perfect birthday cards for tulip lovers and gardeners. Photographed at the Rawlings Conservatory in Baltimore. Cards are blank inside.
ORANGE TULIPS NOTE CARDS
Get bright colorful orange tulips note cards for birthday gifts and holiday gifts for gardeners and flower lovers. Photo created at the Rawlings Conservatory. Cards are blank inside.
KOI FISH THANK YOU CARDS
These sophisticated Koi thank you cards are perfect for men and women water gardeners, koi and carp collectors and aquarium hobbyists. Photograph created at the Peter Rawlings Conservatory. Cards are blank inside.

Garden Flower Cards and Gifts

Floral greeting cards and gifts perfect for all occasions

CARDS BY CHRIS SCROGGINS
Do you love animals, wildlife and nature, too? Browse my boxed note-cards of animals like foxes, raccoons, bears, frogs, wolves etc- wildlife birthday cards, thank you cards, nature quotes cards and more.
Flower and Garden Photography Gifts
Are you looking for a special holiday gift for friends or family interested in gardening and flowers?
Browse my online gift shop, Animal/Flower/Wildlife and Nature Cards and Gifts for all occasion cards, floral home decor like coffee mugs and framed tiles and calendars made from my photos of and public gardens such as Cylburn Arboretum, The Rawlings Conservatory, US National Arboretum and Brookside Gardens.
Colorful Flower Birthday Cards
I offer a colorful selection of flower cards with birthday greetings created from my favorite photos of Rawlings Conservatory, The National Arboretum, Cylburn Arboretum and Brookside Gardens.

Books on Orchids and Orchid growing

Orchid books are great holiday gift ideas for the orchid grower you know.
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Baltimore Gardens Festivals/Events

Keep these garden festivals in mind for next Spring.
Mt Vernon Flowermart, Baltimore City FREE
Located in Mt Vernon Square near the Peabody Conservatory, this historical festival is famous not only for it's flower vendors but for it's hat contest. Be sure to bring your camera, The architecture on Mt Vernon Square is beautiful.
Cylburn Market Day FREE
Traditionally held the Saturday before Mother's Day, this is a great opportunity to buy young plants from many of the area's garden clubs. Stop by the Maryland Rose Society booth to purchase mini and micro mini roses, a great gift idea for Mother's Day.
Maryland Home and Garden Pilgrimage- Baltimore City: Homeland ADMISSION
Although admission is a bit pricey, I've always enjoyed the Maryland Home and Garden Pilgrimage Tours. Seven homes in Homeland, Baltimore City are featured this year. This tour occurs Saturday May 9th from 10AM to 5PM. You can save 5$ by purchasing tickets in advance.
The Baltimore Herb Festival FREE
Traditionally held the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, this festival delights all with the large variety of herbs and herb related products. HINT: You'll be much more comfortable browsing and transporting your precious purchases back to the designated off site parking if you bring your own wagon.

Rawlings Conservatory Membership

Would you like to become a member and support the Rawlings Conservatory?

Membership Levels:

Student/Senior:$20
Individual:$30
Household: $40

Send to:

Baltimore Conservatory Association
P.O.Box 5668
Baltimore, Md. 21210
Baltimore Conservatory Association, Inc.
Get info on membership and volunteer opportunities here.

Baltimore/Washington Gardens Link List

Here's a link list to my favorite public gardens found in the Baltimore Washington region.
Sherwood Gardens FREE
If you love tulips you'll love this garden. But wait! Sherwood gardens is beautiful in summer, too. Take a look around.
Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore Md. Baltimore City
A wonderfully quaint garden located in Baltimore City, Cylburn Arboretum is blessed with woodland trails filled with native wildflowers in spring, as well as an all American Selection Display garden, a mansion which hosts many garden club events and a small nature center ( open for limited hours only on weekends) filled with treasures from the Chesapeake Bay area as well as carefully preserved bird specimens, nests and eggs.
Ladew Topiary Gardens, Monkton, Md. Baltimore County ADMISSION
I've always enjoyed visiting Ladew in mid Spring when the whimsical topiary creations are set off nicely by the white garden, the pink garden, the waterlily garden and the formal rose garden set on 25 acres of the property. If you are on a budget you can purchase tickets to the garden separately from tickets to the mansion. In the summer you can pack a picnic, visit the garden and take in a concert on the large lawn in the evening.
U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC. FREE
Washington may have it's high profile Cherry Blossom festival, but the National Arboretum has the most fantastic spring azalea displays in our region. Pack a picnic lunch, take your time and make sure you visit the peaceful National Bonsai and Penjing museum located on the grounds. I love the peony display garden in late spring. This web page was built by Chris Scroggins.
Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, Md. Montgomery County FREE
Montgomery County's premier garden located in Wheaton Md will not disappoint the garden enthusiast with it's 35 acres filled with changing seasonal displays as well as two beautiful conservatories. Annual events include the butterfly exhibit and the Festival of Lights. Many interesting garden club shows are held on weekends throughout the spring and summer.

An inspiring book for Brown Thumb Gardeners

If you're like me, you'd rather visit and photograph great gardens than create them! Here's a gem of a book for you or the plant challenged person in your life.
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Baltimore Gardens Guest Book

If you enjoyed your visit here, please leave me a note. You can let me know which photos you like most, too. Please pass this link on to anyone who might enjoy learning about Baltimore's special gardens. Thanks!

  • PastorCher Jan 23, 2012 @ 3:33 am | delete
    What a lovely lens. Your photography is beautiful.
  • skiesgreen Jul 12, 2010 @ 10:47 pm | delete
    Wonderful lens on a beautiful part of the world. *-*Blessed*-* and featured on Sprinkled with Stardust
  • Sandy Sep 17, 2009 @ 4:20 pm | delete
    Hey Chris!
    Great to see you in the garden today!!! Can't wait to see new photos of our Mango!
    Love the butterfly photo, well and the others as well!!!
    See Ya' soon!
    Sandy
  • Mac33 May 26, 2009 @ 8:06 pm | delete
    Great work on the photos! I really like the play of light and shadows in the Palm House shot. The Easter lilies & hydrangeas shot is another favorite.
  • Erika Schulte May 17, 2009 @ 7:49 pm | delete
    These are wonderful photos! I lived in Baltimore years ago and these take me back to wonderful times spent in the Conservatory. A very masterful collection!
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