Invitation to a Garden Party Tour — June 20 & 27, 2026

In honor of our nation’s semiquincentennial, the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania invites you to the first-ever Pennsylvania Garden Party, showcasing beautiful and unique public and private residential gardens across the state. For more than 95 years, the Garden Federation has been dedicated to beautifying our state — one garden, one community and one project at a time. Join the tour to see what they’ve accomplished.

What makes this tour special is the personal stories behind each garden. One host gardener shared, “Watching plants return each year in our woodland shade has given me a sense of purpose, quiet joy and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of living things. And, somewhere along the way, I realized that gardening doesn’t just renew plants. It renews people, too.” Another host loves to grow flowers to give away bouquets as random acts of kindness, as she surprises strangers in Domestic Violence Center of Chester County residences and retirement communities plus delivery drivers with flowers.

The PA Garden Party will feature 90 gardens statewide on two Saturdays, June 20 and 27, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. The gardens on the tour range from renowned gardens such as Barns-Brinton House, Henry Botanical Gardens and the Barnes Arboretum at St. Joseph’s — offering special features for the tour — to the many small private patio and cottage gardens, plus shade, aquatic and moon gardens. You may even spot gardens planted in red, white and blue for America’s 250th.

The tour is statewide, but here’s how the self-driving tour operates locally. On June 20, the Garden Clubs of Bala Cynwyd, Villanova and Springfield will be featured, including gardens on the Main Line in Montgomery County as well as in Delaware County, where you can wander the paths and meet the gardeners.

Then on June 27, Chester County will be in the spotlight, with the Spade and Trowel Club of Kennett Square (dating back to 1939) and the Uwchlan Garden Club (established in 1934) showcasing gardens in Kennett Square, West Chester and Downingtown. Also on the 27th, the Norristown Garden Club will host gardens from Ambler to Malvern. Yet another special feature, Michael Bowells, owner of Create a Scene, a garden design firm, is opening his private garden in Malvern from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to support the initiative.

Gardens on the tour will also host local garden writers for book signings on both Saturdays. During the tour you may encounter Pam Baxter, local garden writer, author and columnist, or Jenny Rose Carey, noted garden writer and speaker. Check the program for times and locations.

What a wonderful opportunity to join the statewide celebration and peek behind the garden gate …

IF YOU GO: A $25–$30 ticket includes a full-color tour book — your admission to all participating gardens on both days. The tour book features garden descriptions, addresses, maps and more. For details, updates and ticket information, visit PAGardenClubs.org.