Hershey Gardens, Hershey PA

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Admission was provided free of cost to me in order to facilitate this post. This post has not been monetarily compensated. Please note that, as always, any personal opinions reflected in this post are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Hershey Gardens is across from The Hershey Hotel. If you look out across the expansive gardens you can also see Hershey Park. There’s always something blooming at Hershey Gardens. For the cooler fall season of September to mid-November you’ll find the continued bloom of 5,600 roses and colorful summer annuals, along with the seasonal beauty generated by 1,000 chrysanthemums, fall blooming perennials, and fall foliage. It’s easy to understand why something is always in bloom when you take into consideration that there are 11 individually themed gardens:

• Historic Hershey Rose Garden – The historical highlight of Hershey Gardens, this is where it all began in 1937. The brilliant assortment of 5,600 roses representing 275 varieties includes an interesting mix of heights, colors and flower forms of Hybrid Tea, floribunda, shrub, and miniature roses, and features the new AARS rose variety winners each year.
• Seasonal Display Garden – One of the most colorful displays in the Gardens, the Seasonal Display Garden is a favorite of repeat visitors. The spring gladly welcomes 100 varieties of 30,000 tulips, the summer boasts colorful annuals, and the fall features chrysanthemums from deep red to sun-drenched yellow.
• M.S. Hershey Tribute Garden – Created in 2012 to commemorate Hershey Gardens’ 75th anniversary, this area honors Mr. Hershey’s love of horticulture and beauty. This garden showcases the newly revitalized M.S. Hershey Rose, a special seating area and colorful plants and shrubs.
• Perennial Garden – Surround yourself in the spring and summer with amazing displays of spring daffodils, rhododendrons, summer coneflowers, black-eyed susans and joe-pye weed. In the fall, walk among the ornamental grasses and bold-colored chrysanthemums.
• Herb Garden – A feast for the senses! The Herb Garden, featuring medicinal, aromatic, household, culinary, and dye-making plants, is a place to see, smell and feel plants that impact our daily lives.
• High Point Garden – Inspired by the historic garden at Milton Hershey’s home, High Point, this garden proudly features old garden roses, a tribute to his wife Catherine Hershey.
• Rock Garden – A garden for all seasons! This textural collection of mature dwarf conifers, hollies, boxwoods, and dogwoods creates a subtly colorful display of green, blue, gold and burgundy foliage interplanted with an assortment of spring bulbs and colorful perennials set among large rocks.
• Ornamental Grasses – Enjoy many varieties of these decorative and hardy plants from short fescues to giant reed grasses. A favorite of Hershey Gardens guests!
• Japanese Garden – Take some time to enjoy the relaxing sound of a peaceful stream and tranquil reflective pond. This secluded garden features rare giant sequoias, Dawn Redwood trees, Japanese maples, as well as a plethora of ground covers, perennials and various shrub layers.
• The Bill Bowman Garden – Lovingly dedicated to a former Hershey Gardens director, this beautiful garden features a magnificent bronze sculpture and a collection of “Knock-Out” rose varieties.
• The Children’s Garden – This amazing educational garden is filled with surprise hideaways, creatures and whimsical characters – all within 32 themed gardens. Truly a garden to sweeten the imagination!

Along with the gardens visitors will find The Butterfly House on the premises, which was by far my favorite spot. The Butterfly House is a building housing hundreds of live butterflies, there are approximately 25 North American varieties. Along with seeing butterflies in The Butterfly House, visitors will also see caterpillars, and the plants that nourish the butterflies. It’s absolutely amazing to walk through and have these beautiful creatures just inches from your face.
Here’s a slideshow containing some of my favorite photos from our trip to Hershey Gardens. If you don’t have time to watch it now then feel free to pin the photo of Hershey Gardens below, and then come back and view the slideshow at your conveience.

Hershey Gardens is located at 170 Hotel Road Hershey, PA 17033, across from The Hotel Hershey. Hershey Gardens is open seasonally from April to November. The Butterfly House is open from mid-May to mid-September, weather permitting. Be sure to check their website for dates and hours before going.  There is an entry fee for admission to Hershey Gardens. If you’re visiting the Hershey Story Museum Experience there is a combo ticket available.

• Regular (ages 13-61) – $10.50
• Senior (age 62+) – $9.50
• Junior (ages 3-12) – $7.50
• Children under 3 – FREE
• Hershey Gardens Members – FREE

If you enjoy nature then Hershey Gardens is a must visit spot during your next visit to the Hershey PA area.
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