Presby Memorial Iris Gardens

Presby Memorial Iris Gardens is a botanical garden in Montclair covering about 6.5 acres and devoted entirely to iris cultivation. The grounds feature thousands of iris plants arranged in beds and pathways, allowing visitors to walk among the flowers and observe their varieties up close.

The garden was established in 1927 by Frank Presby, a founding member of the American Iris Society. He initially intended to donate his iris collection to a nearby public park, an idea that eventually led to the creation of this dedicated garden space.

The site honors Frank Presby, a pioneering iris enthusiast whose passion shaped American gardening culture. Today, visitors experience his legacy through the careful arrangement of plants that reflects the values of community stewardship and botanical appreciation.

The garden is accessible during the blooming season in late spring and early summer, with pathways that make walking through the grounds straightforward. An adjacent building provides information and resources for visitors interested in learning more about the plants.

The garden maintains one of the largest independent iris collections outside commercial nurseries, displaying the full range of what this plant family offers in one place. Visitors encounter varieties rarely seen elsewhere because the collection was built specifically for its botanical diversity and visual range.

Location: New Jersey

Inception: 1927

Website: http://presbyirisgardens.org

GPS coordinates: 40.85140,-74.20640

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:03