Van Vleck House and Gardens

Van Vleck House and Gardens is a botanical garden spanning several acres with distinct sections including courtyards, greenhouses, a rock garden, and formal plantings. Walking paths connect these different areas, allowing visitors to move through varied plantings and landscape designs across the property.

The house was built in 1916 in a Mediterranean style and remained in family hands until it was transferred to the Montclair Foundation in 1993. This change in ownership opened the grounds to public access and broader community use.

The gardens function as a teaching space where seasonal events and plant collections help visitors learn about local gardening traditions and native plant varieties. Many people visit to draw inspiration from the different blooms and landscape arrangements they encounter throughout the year.

The different garden sections are accessible via well-marked paths and can be explored in any order. Wear sturdy footwear and plan your visit according to the season, as different plantings bloom and develop throughout the year.

A Chinese wisteria vine planted in 1939 winds around the pillars of the rear porch and stands as one of the garden's oldest living features. Several rhododendrons and azaleas carry the names of family members, linking the plant collection to the family's own story.