Presby Iris Gardens

Montclair, New Jersey, United States

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Presby Iris Gardens in Montclair, New Jersey, was established in 1927 as a memorial to Frank H. Presby, a founding member of the American Iris Society and a prominent local horticulturist who was passionate about irises.

The gardens are located within Montclair’s Mountainside Park and encompass 6.5 acres, making it one of the largest non-commercial iris collections in the world with around 10,000 plants representing six species and over 3,000 named varieties. Early support came from the community and the American Iris Society, with irises donated from as far as Great Britain, Germany, and Japan.

The garden includes the Victorian Walther House, which serves as the headquarters for the committee managing the gardens and houses an iris library and museum shop. Over the years, the gardens have been carefully maintained and expanded, introducing new beds of Siberian and Japanese irises while preserving historical varieties.

It is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is celebrated for its educational value, horticultural excellence, and role as a living museum, sometimes called the "Rainbow on the Hill" by locals due to its colorful display.