Your Seasonal Guide to Hershey Gardens

In addition to many sweet somethings in Hershey, you will find sweet flowers in the beautiful Hershey Gardens in Hershey, PA. Settle in for a charming stay at The Inn at Westwynd Farm and prepare for your ultimate garden getaway.

Like many places in Hershey, PA, Hershey Gardens exists today because of Milton Hershey. During the 1930s, Milton wanted a rose garden for Hershey workers and their families to enjoy. In 1937, Hershey Gardens opened. Fast forward to today, and the gardens have grown to 23 acres of beautiful assorted flowers, shrubs, and rare trees. The layout of this botanical paradise is organized into seasonal displays, themed gardens, and a butterfly atrium.

You’ll find many seasonal displays amidst the themed gardens, from rocks and roses to oaks and herbs. Here are a few highlights to pique your interest:

This is where it all started, thanks to Milton Hershey. Visit this themed garden to admire 3,000 colored roses from 115 varieties, including hybrid, shrub, and miniature.

Many repeat visitors attend this display annually to enjoy each season’s unique offerings. This spring, feast your eyes on 93 varieties of 28,000 tulips. Summer will bring a kaleidoscope of colorful annuals, and fall will feature signature chrysanthemums in rich autumn hues.

Walk among the mighty oaks or rest quietly in the shade while watching the squirrels’ entertaining antics.

The moment you step into this garden, intoxicating aromas of various herbs reward you. Learn which herbs are used for medicine, cooking, color dye, and aromatherapy.

If you’re familiar with Japanese gardens, you know this is a place to find peace and serenity. Amidst the sparkling stream and reflective pond, you’ll discover Japanese maples, giant sequoias, Dawn Redwood trees, perennials, shrubs, and ground covers. It’s genuinely a zen-like experience.

• M.S. Hershey Tribute Garden (honoring Mr. Hershey’s love of horticulture and beauty)

• Rock Garden (for all seasons)

• Ornamental Grasses (a favorite of guests)

• The Bill Bowman Garden (dedicated to Hershey Gardens former director)

• The Children’s Garden (educational and whimsical)

• Arboretum (stately statues and shady trees)

• Perennial Garden (changes throughout the seasons)

• Native Plant Garden (celebrates plants that are native to northeastern North America)

As winter fades, our Hershey flower gardens come alive with a kaleidoscope of color. Spring is all about fresh beginnings, and the garden bursts with thousands of blooming tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and flowering trees. It’s one of the most visually stunning times to visit and a dream for photographers and garden lovers alike.

Spring often brings family-friendly events like Easter-themed activities, gardening workshops, and guided tours highlighting the spring blooms, especially the beloved Hershey Gardens tulips.

• Dress in layers—spring weather can be unpredictable.

• Arrive early to beat the crowds and catch the best morning light.

• Bring a camera—peak bloom usually occurs in April!

Summer is when Hershey Botanical Gardens truly hits its stride. The iconic Rose Garden—a central feature since the garden’s founding—reaches its peak, offering more than 3,000 rose bushes in every color imaginable.

Families will love exploring the whimsical Children’s Garden, complete with interactive displays and playful plantings. In June, the garden celebrates Pollinator Week with special programs dedicated to bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators.

Summer has special workshops and events:

• Free educational talks during Pollinator Week.

• Hands-on nature programs for kids, or others looking to get out in nature. 

• Shady spots to picnic with a view of the blooms.

As the air turns crisp, the garden transforms into a breathtaking autumn showcase. The landscape is dotted with vibrant mums, asters, ornamental grasses, and festive harvest displays.

Fall at our local Hershey flower gardens means pumpkin hunts, festivals, and seasonal scavenger hunts. It's a picture-perfect time for photo ops among the autumn colors.

Seasonal displays and exhibits include:

• Themed scarecrow exhibits.

• Pumpkin displays.

• Ornamental kale and gourds.

• Chrysanthemum-filled garden beds.

Though many flowers take a rest in winter, Hershey Gardens still offers a peaceful and enchanting experience. Evergreen shrubs and seasonal displays provide structure and beauty, even in the colder months.

The true winter star is the Hershey Gardens Butterfly Atrium, which remains open year-round. Step inside the warm tropical environment and be surrounded by hundreds of free-flying butterflies from around the world—a magical contrast to the frosty air outside.

No matter the season, Hershey Gardens has something for everyone. In addition to seasonal blooms, be sure to explore:

• The Hershey Gardens Butterfly Atrium – is home to over 300 butterflies in a lush, tropical setting.

• The Hershey Gardens Conservatory – a stunning structure that houses seasonal floral exhibits and educational displays.

• Rotating seasonal exhibits and educational programs for kids and adults alike, including horticulture talks, garden yoga, and craft workshops.

 

With something blooming (or fluttering!) in every season, Hershey Gardens is a must-visit destination in central Pennsylvania. Whether you're here for spring tulips, summer roses, fall colors, or winter butterflies, each season offers a new reason to return.

Looking for a cozy place to stay nearby? We’d love to host your stay at The Inn at Westwynd Farm, a charming country retreat just minutes from all the floral beauty Hershey has to offer.

 

Photo Credit: © Gary Matuschka via canva.com, © flySnow from Getty Images via canva.com, © KenWiedemann from Getty Images Signature via canva.com