Home & Garden Guide

Take a house (or barn) tour—try the Bucks County Designer House & Gardens or Willistown Conservation Trust’s Barns & BBQ—or visit the area’s newest public garden, Stoneleigh, opening their gates on May 13. Enjoy!

Through May 27
Bucks County Designer House & Gardens. Designers show their creativity at Cedaridge Farm, 93 Stover Park Rd., Pipersville. Mon–Wed, Fri–Sat, 10 to 4; Thurs, 10 to 7; Sun, noon to 4. $30. 215-345-2191; BucksCountyDesignerHouse.org.

May 4–5
Arasapha Garden Club’s Annual May Market in Historic New Castle. Unique, flowering plants and herbs, shrubs and artisan crafts. Market Square, 201 Delaware St., New Castle, DE. Fri, 9 to 5; Sat, 9 to 3. 302-322-7895; Arasapha.org.

May 5
Willistown Conservation Trust Barns & BBQ. Tour five of Willistown area’s beautiful barns and farms, followed by a bountiful barbecue supper. Tour begins at 3; cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, barbecue and live auction follow. Res. req. 610-353-2562; WCTrust.org.

May 5
Friends of Everhart Park Plant Sale. Tried and true perennials from local gardens for sale. This year special patio and deck pots with care directions will be highlighted. Proceeds go to maintaining and improving the park. 501–599 W. Union St., West Chester. 10 to 2. On Facebook.

May 5
Wilmington Garden Day. Featuring both houses and gardens, this is a rain-or-shine event. Benefits children in need, specifically Friendship House, Inc. and St. Michael’s School & Nursery. 10 to 4. $30. WilmingtonGardenDay.org.

May 5–6
DE Nature Society Native Plant Sale. More than 300 rare varieties of native wildflowers, trees, shrubs, ferns and aquatic plants are for sale. Some from nearby Mt. Cuba Center and many species that attract wildlife. Coverdale Farm, 543 Way Rd., Greenville, DE. Sat, 10 to 4; Sun, 11 to 3. 302-239-2334; DelNature.org/NPS.

May 5–6
Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens Annual Plant Sale. One of the largest sales in the area, sponsored by the Valley Forge Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. 631 Berwyn Baptist Rd., Devon. Sat, 9 to 3; Sun, 11 to 3. 610-647-8870; JenkinsArboretum.org.

May 5–6
Annual Plant Sale at Tyler Arboretum. Hard-to-find trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and herbs—an inspiration for the whole garden. 515 Painter Rd., Media. 9 to 3. 610-566-9134; TylerArboretum.org.

May 6
Chestnut Hill Home & Garden Festival. Explore plants, crafts and artwork from over 150 vendors as home and garden design and supplies take the spotlight. Germantown Ave., Chestnut Hill. 11 to 5. Raindate May 20. 215-247-6696; ChestnutHillPa.com.

May 10
79th Annual Phila. Herb Society of America Herb Sale. Herbs, vegetable seedlings, rare and unusual geraniums and salvias for sale, along with herbs. Historic Yellow Springs, 1685 Art School Rd., Chester Springs. Gourmet brunch, $15, res. only. 10 to 1. 610-970-5264; HSAPhiladelphia.org.

May 10–12
Wilmington Flower Market. Benefits nonprofit Delaware children’s agencies. Carnival rides, art, gifts, entertainment, flowers and plants of all kinds are available. Rockford Park, Wilmington. Thurs–Fri, 10 to 8; Sat, 10 to 7. Free. 302-995-5699; WilmingtonFlowerMarket.org.

May 11
National Public Gardens Day. Nation-wide effort to raise awareness of our public gardens and their value to our communities. Area participants include Welkinweir, Scott Arboretum, Brandywine Conservancy, Longwood Gardens, Tyler Arboretum, Chanticleer Garden and many more. NationalPublicGardensDay.org.

May 11–12
Landis Valley Museum Herb & Garden Faire. Over 80 vendors of heirloom plants, roses, native and hard-to-find plants, annuals, perennials and art for the garden spread over the historic village. 2451 Kissel Hill Rd., Lancaster. 9 to 5. $8–$12. 717-569-0401; LandisValleyMuseum.org.

May 12
Azaleas, Bluebells & Follies at Winterthur Museum & Gardens. The day’s events include tours of the azaleas and Follies garden exhibition as well as a specialty sale of azalea plants propagated from specimens at Winterthur. Included with admission. Rt. 52, Winterthur. 10 to 3. $5–$20. 800-448-3883; Winterthur.org.

May 12–13
Brandywine River Museum of Art Wildflower, Native Plant & Seed Sale. Hundreds of varieties for sale to benefit Brandywine Conservancy’s native plant gardens. Rt. 1, Chadds Ford. 9:30 to 5. Free. 610-388-2700; BrandywineMuseum.org.

May 13
Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden Opening Day. During this “Stroll About” guests can explore winding garden paths, absorb the beauty of spring and be among the very first to enjoy our area’s newest public garden. 1829 E. County Line Rd., Villanova. 610-353-5587; StoneleighGarden.org.

May 16
44th Shipley School Secret Gardens Tour. Explore magnificent properties located in the Gladwyne, Bryn Mawr, Villanova and Haverford neighborhoods with a luncheon at Merion Cricket Club. Tour and seated lunch, $80; tour only, $45. 8:30 to 4:30. 610-525-4544; ShipleySchool.org/SecretGardens.

May 18–19
Scott Arboretum Selections: The Spring Sale. Find superior plant performers that thrive in area gardens—plants not found at big box stores are found here. Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Wister Center, Swarthmore. Fri, Preview Party, 5:30 to 7:30, $25–$40; Sat, noon to 3, free. 610-328-8023; ScottArboretum.org.

May 19
A Day In Old New Castle. Take a rare and exclusive look into the private homes and gardens, historic landmarks and museums. Then on to the riverfront where the Kalmar Nyckel, Delaware’s Tall Ship, will be offering tours. 10 to 5. $5–$25. 302-322-5774; HistoricNewCastle.com.

May 24, 31
Scott Arboretum Rose Garden Tour. Learn more about the organic rose garden from the staff who maintain this stunning collection; geared for gardeners from beginners to experts. Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Wister Center, Swarthmore. Noon to 1, free. 610-328-8023; ScottArboretum.org.

June 2
Bayard Taylor Home & Garden Tour. Among the houses on this year’s tour are two “sister houses,” the homes of Nancy Penn Smith Hannum and her sister, Averell Penn Smith Walker. Benefits Kennett Library’s Children’s Programs and Adult Literacy. 10 to 4. $40. 610-444-2702; KennettLibrary.org.

June 2
New Hope Historical Society’s 25th Annual Garden Tour. The tour begins at The Parry Mansion, 45 S. Main St., New Hope. Benefits the Mansion Museum. 10 to 4. $40. 215-862-5652; NewHopeHS.org.

June 8–10
35th Annual Demuth Garden Tour & Party. Exclusive Lancaster residences offer creative urban gardens, distinctive architecture and interior design to tour and enjoy. Starts with the Demuth Garden Party, June 8, 6 pm, featuring music, hors d’oeuvres and silent art auction at Conestoga House & Gardens, 1608 Marietta Ave., Lancaster. Res. req. Tour, Sat, 10 to 5; Sun, 11 to 5. $18–$20. 717-299-9940; Demuth.org.

June 9
Garden Day at White Horse Village Retirement Community. Recognized as an arboretum by Swarthmore College, the Village’s 96 acres of gardens, meadows and woodlands are open to visitors on this self-guided tour. Adjacent to Ridley Creek State Park. Start at the Club House, 535 Gradyville Rd., Newtown Square. 11 to 3. Free. 610-558-5000; WhiteHorseVillage.org.

Visit our events page each month for updates to more garden events and house tours.