Home & Garden Tours in Chester County, PA
A guide to local tours, plant sales and festivals
Spring is the perfect time to visit gardens and nurseries, museums and homes, arboretums and preserves, all offering the best of the season. Let your imagination soar as you get inspired by the many offerings of the season. Enjoy!
Through December
America’s Garden Capital Passport. This free passport is an exclusive map and guide to exploring the region’s public gardens. Log your visits to 30+ gardens within 30 miles. Download your garden map, AmericasGardenCapital.org.
May 2 & 4
Arasapha Garden Club’s 82nd Anniversary May Market in Historic New Castle. Garden experts help you choose from annuals, herbs, perennials, houseplants and native plants. Market Square, 201 Delaware St., New Castle, DE. Fri, 10 to 5; Sat, 9 to 3. Arasapha.org.
May 2 & 3
DE Nature Society Native Plant Sale. Rare varieties of native wildflowers, trees, shrubs, ferns and aquatic plants for sale. Many species attract wildlife. Coverdale Farm, 543 Way Rd., Greenville, DE. Fri, 2 to 7 (member day); Sat, 9 to 3. DelNature.org/NPS.
May 2 & 3
25th Annual St. Mary Anne’s Garden Market. Over 75 garden-related vendors sell flowers, trees and shrubs for spring planting. A family- friendly event. 315 S. Main St., North East, MD. Fri, 9 to 6; Sat, 9 to 4. On Facebook.
May 3 & 4
Tyler Arboretum Plant Sale. Come pick out the best plants to flourish in your gardens. Knowledgeable staff will help you plan your garden and select plants that thrive and provide ecosystem benefits to pollinators and other wildlife. 515 Painter Rd., Media. Daily 8 to 2. TylerArboretum.org.
May 4
Chestnut Hill Home & Garden Festival. Explore plants, crafts, artwork, vintage goods and collectibles from vendors. Enjoy live music and food. Germantown Ave. from Rex to Willow Grove Aves., Chestnut Hill. 11 to 5. ChestnutHillPA.com.
May 8
86th Annual Phila. Herb Society of America Herb Sale. Culinary and fragrant herbs and rare and unusual scented geraniums and salvias are featured. Box lunch catered by Dixie Picnic available. Cash or check only. Historic Yellow Springs, 1685 Art School Rd., Chester Springs. 10 to 1 pm, rain or shine. HSAPhiladelphia.org.
May 8
Showcase of Homes at Hershey’s Mill. The Paoli Hospital Auxiliary presents this tour, which includes six renovated and decorated homes, a luncheon at Hershey’s Mill Golf Club, vendor boutique and raffle. Benefits Paoli Hospital. 1500 Greenhill Rd., West Chester. 10 to 4. Tour, $40; with lunch, $80. For info or tickets, visit Events.org/ES/PHASOH25 or call 484-535-2639.
May 8–10
Wilmington Flower Market. Benefits dozens of nonprofit Delaware children’s agencies. Carnival rides, art, gifts, beer, entertainment, flowers and plants of all kinds are available. Rockford Park, Lookout Dr., Wilmington. Thurs–Fri, 10 to 8; Sat, 10 to 7. WilmingtonFlowerMarket.org.
May 9–September 28
Festival of Fountains at Longwood. Revisit nature and revel in brilliant blooms to stunning vistas from the Conservatory Overlook as you watch dancing fountains. 1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square. Thurs–Sat, 9:15 pm. $18–$25. 610-388-1000; LongwoodGardens.org.
May 9 & 10
Landis Valley Museum Herb & Garden Faire. Plants from the museum’s Heirloom Seed Project plus natives and other hard-to-find varieties on sale. Find handmade garden decor and accessories and live entertainment. Refreshments available. 2451 Kissel Hill Rd., Lancaster. 9 to 5. $8–$12. LandisValleyMuseum.org.
May 10
Dahlia Society Tuber Sale. All tubers are $7 at this sale held in front of Longwood Gardens Visitor Center, 1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square. 10 to 3. Philadahlia.org.
May 10
Uwchlan Garden Club Plant Sale. Find a selection of vegetable and herb plants, crafts, perennials, shrubs, trees, a kids korner and gifts. Benefits the 1756 Uwchlan Meeting House. 5 N. Village Ave., Lionville. 8 to 2. UwchlanGardenClub.org.
May 10 & 11
Wildflower, Native Plant & Seed Sale. Shop from a wide variety of native wildflowers, grasses, ferns, vines, shrubs and trees. Staff will be on hand to provide planting and horticultural information. Benefits the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art’s Garden Program. Brandywine Museum of Art, 1 Hoffman’s Mill Rd., Chadds Ford. 9:30 to 4:30. Brandywine.org.
May 10, 24, June 14, 28
Home and Garden Tours at Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden. Dazzling displays of native plants, ancient trees and landscape designs are highlighted, along with a tour of the spectacular Tudor Revival Main House. 1829 E. County Line Rd., Villanova. 10:30 to noon. $15. StoneleighGarden.org.
May 11
Mother’s Day Open Gardens at Welkinweir. The gardens, with azaleas at their peak, will be open to visitors to walk and hike. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the garden. 11 to 3. 1368 Prizer Rd., Pottstown. Welkinweir.org.
May 14
Shipley School’s 51st Annual Secret Gardens Tours. Enjoy a self-guided tour through private gardens with a lunch stop on Shipley’s campus. 9 to 3. For info and tickets, ShipleySchool.org/SecretGardens.
May 6 & 21
Scott Arboretum Tours: Peonies. May 6, Tree Peony Tour: learn about the different types of tree peony hybrids in the collection from the horticulture staff, 6 pm. May 21, In Person Peony Tour: explore the arboretum’s wide variety of peonies on a tour led by an expert horticulturist, 3 pm. 500 College Ave., Swarthmore. ScottArboretum.org.
May 16–26
7th Annual Festival of the Peony. Walk through 25 acres with more than 55,000 peonies and cut your own to take home. Bring a vase for transporting your peonies. 4313 S. Creek Rd., Chadds Ford. Daily 8 to 6. $15/ person or $30/car. StyersPeonies.com.
May 17
Jenkins Arboretum Spring Blooms Celebration. Enjoy a roving dinner, garden games, music and floral festivities at this annual fundraiser. Jenkins Arboretum, 631 Berwyn Baptist Rd., Devon. 6 to 9 pm. $150. JenkinsArboretum.org.
May 17
A Day in Old New Castle. Take a look into the private homes and gardens and historic landmarks and museums. Enjoy historical reenactments, entertainment, artisans, children’s games, tours of the Kalmar Nyckel tall ship and more. 50 Market St., New Castle, DE. 10 to 5. $5–$25. HistoricNewCastle.com.
May 21
Garden to Vase: Opulent Peonies at Winterthur. Take a special after-hours tour of the Peony Garden, designed by renowned landscape architect Marian Coffin, then use peonies to design an arrangement. Bring a glass vase. Reg. req. 5105 Kennett Pk., Winterthur, DE. 1 pm. $80. Winterthur.org.
June 6
Moonlight & Roses at Morris Arboretum. Dining and dancing under the stars, surrounded by the beauty of roses in bloom. Supports all aspects of the Arboretum’s mission. 100 E. Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia. For info and tickets, MorrisArboretumGala.org.
June 14
Garden Day at White Horse Village. The senior living community showcases the talents of resident gardeners. Self-guided tours, complimentary lunch at noon, reg. required. 535 Gradyville Rd., Newtown Square. 10:30 to 2. WhiteHorseVillage.org.
All events are free, unless otherwise noted.
