Leonard J Buck Garden

Far Hills, New Jersey, United States

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The Leonard J. Buck Garden in Far Hills, New Jersey, is a 33-acre public botanical garden known as one of the premier rock gardens in the eastern United States.

Created in the late 1930s by geologist Leonard J. Buck, who was a trustee of the New York Botanical Garden, the garden is set in a glacial stream valley that features rock outcroppings, waterfalls, ponds, and a stream. Buck collaborated with landscape architect Zenon Schreiber to design a naturalistic woodland garden composed of many smaller gardens, each with its own character and micro-habitat.

The garden showcases an impressive blend of native and exotic plants, including wildflowers, azaleas, magnolias, and a mix of perennials arranged along winding paths. The varied topography, including features like Horseshoe Rock and Reno Rock, combined with the plant diversity, creates an inspiring and tranquil environment.

The garden was donated to Somerset County Park Commission in 1976 and remains open to the public with a suggestion for donations. It is cherished for its botanical richness, scenic beauty, and the harmonious integration of geology and horticulture.​