For a small state, Rhode Island has many gardens and fields of flowers. Some are historical gardens, some are pick-your-own flower fields, while others are public land filled with color. Here is our list of gardens in Rhode Island.
Blithewold Estate
Blithewold means “happy woodland.” These Arts and Crafts house is worth visiting any time of year, but the sprawling woodlands and gardens on the waters of the Narragansett Bay are sublime. Unstructured fields of white and yellow daffodils bloom within an expansive wooded area directly off the house’s porch. There are also 33-acres of meandering paths with different gardens and tree groves.
When to Visit
It is worth visiting Blithewold’s gardens in the summer when the gardens are in full bloom. The daffodils generally bloom for a month, starting around the beginning of April.
Hamilton Harbor Lotus Flowers
The lotus garden is the most random of the flower fields that I have found. In 1982, the founders of the condo complex planted a lotus garden to make the property unique. Lotus Flowers are native to Asia and Australia, but the talented and industrious landscapers realized that this water diversion pond left over from 19th-century mills would support them. Once they are growing, these flowers can grow for over a thousand years. You won’t notice the pond from the road. The only sign may be cars of the lotus seekers parked right after the entrance to the condominium complex. The pond isn’t too big, sort of oasis in the middle of an otherwise typical street. The flowers are the most open between 9-12 in the morning. They bloom around July. The garden is not monitored, and there may be poison ivy. Please be respectful and don’t harm or pick the flowers, so this jewel may be enjoyed for generations to come.
Wicked Tulips Flower Farms
With 5 acres of tulips, this is New England’s largest tulip farm set on a lake in the farmland of Johnston. There are two fields of many rows of tulips– a show field and a picking field. Entrance routinely sells out, so expect crowds. They love you to share and take pictures, but you need to be patient to get one without people in it. There are picnic tables on which to enjoy lunch. You are allowed to pick from the picking field and pay per stem on your way out. They have a wrapping station and sell vases.
When to Visit
Wicked Tulips opens when the tulips bloom, usually around the end of April or the beginning of May, and close when they are done blooming or all the flowers are picked.
Dame Farm and Orchards
Dame Farm is one of my favorite spots to spend time in Rhode Island. Depending on the season, they have flower fields, an apple and peach orchard, incredible apple cider donuts, and blueberry picking. Up by the blueberry fields in a moderately-sized sunflower field containing many sunflower varieties.
When to Visit
In June and July, sunflowers are in bloom. Later in summer, they have a smaller, dark variety still in bloom, as seen below. All through the summer, the flower fields have many different types of flowers, including zinnias, dahlias, snapdragons, sunflowers, gomphrena, stock, eucalyptus, lilies, and lavender.
Lewis Peony Farm
These three-acre gardens are on the farmhouse property of the farm’s owners. Peonies are full multi-petaled flowers that come in many color varieties. Throughout the gardens are different varieties of peonies as well as stone gardens with foxglove. Although there is no entrance fee, it is customary to buy stems.
When to Visit
Peonies are early summer flowers. So try to visit them during summer and see them at their best.
Green Animals Topiary Garden
Step onto grounds fit for a fairy tale in the oldest and most northern topiary garden in the country. Neatly trimmed shrubs take shape into friendly animals and figurines of all kinds. Visitors marvel over the 16,000 daffodils dotting the land in spring – in between snapping a selfie with the verdant lion and unicorn topiaries. Open daily to the public, take a walk with the whole family through the delightful annuals and shrubs painting this picturesque retreat from spring through autumn.
Kinney Azalea Gardens
For nearly 70 years, visitors have been enjoying the 500+ varieties of azaleas and other flowers, shrubs, and trees at the backyard property of Tony and Elizabeth Kinney Faella. Photo-enthusiasts will love the picturesque Moon Gate, along with the Wildflower Walk, Troll Bridge, and other sights. Peak visiting times are May through June, but gardens are in bloom all summer.
Lavender Waves Farm
Picture yourself on a stately gazebo surrounded by 4,000 plants, and you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped onto the luscious lavender fields of the French countryside. Sitting on 14 acres, the lines of lavender – spanning 10 different varieties – share the ground with animals like sheep, alpacas, a donkey, and peacock. Lavender lovers can purchase tickets online for farm events or shop the artisanal lavender-infused soaps, lotions, and scrubs available at the farm stand. Guests may also book a stay in the luxurious farm suite overlooking the lavender field and enjoy your very own rustic and chic retreat.
Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
Take a stroll on your very own self-guided tour through the lush landscape of Roger Williams Park. Lose track of time spotting koi fish and traversing the quaint wooden bridges over still waters in the Japanese Gardens. Or, find your way to New England’s largest public indoor display gardens at the Botanical Center. Guests also love waving hello to some residing goats and meandering through the Rose Garden’s paths peppered with over 100 varieties of the familiar flora. With an easy-to-walk design, this destination surely delights at any age.
Sakonnet Garden
Rhode Island’s very own secret garden sits on just more than an acre. The garden shares its labyrinth of paths filled to the brim with an impressive mix of shrubs, trees and flowers. Explore the shaded hideaway where curtains of blooms cover trimmed hedge walls and find beds of pastel foliage in the Yellow Garden that offer their sunshine even on the cloudiest of days.
URI Botanical Gardens
Peruse the grounds that have been pleasing passersby since 1992 with its carefully crafted array of blooming buds. Catch a glimpse of roses studding the paths or make your way to the perennial garden where butterflies flutter. Open every day from sunrise to sunset, the gardens are a tucked away treasure on the university’s sprawling campus.
Visiting Gardens in Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, you can spend time outdoors enjoying and marveling at the beauty of gardens. Gardens provide a peaceful and serene environment where you can appreciate nature’s bounty. Whether you stroll through manicured gardens at a historic estate or smell the roses at a local park, taking in the sights and smells of flowers is a great way to relax and rejuvenate.
