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Presby Memorial Iris Gardens Revisited» 

I recently revisited Presby Memorial Iris Gardens with a friend for a relaxing spring stroll through the colorful flower beds. The gardens were peaceful as always, and we enjoyed wandering among the rows of irises while admiring the incredible variety of blooms. One of the highlights of visiting Presby is seeing the mix of historic heritage irises dating back to the 1700s alongside newer modern hybrids developed in recent decades.

Although the gardens were still beautiful, there seemed to be fewer flowers than on my previous visits. Timing may have played a role, since peak bloom can vary from year to year depending on the weather. Even so, there were still plenty of vibrant purple, yellow, white, and lavender blossoms scattered throughout the hillside gardens.

Established in 1927, Presby Memorial Iris Gardens honors Frank Presby, a horticulturalist who helped found the American Iris Society. Today, the gardens remain one of the largest non-commercial collections of irises in the world, with approximately 10,000 plants representing more than 3,000 varieties.

As we explored the grounds, we stopped to look at the garden maps near the entrance, which show where the different varieties are planted. One section of the collection even contains irises descended from rhizomes dating back hundreds of years. Walking through the beds feels a bit like taking a tour through horticultural history.

The historic Walther House still overlooks the gardens and serves as headquarters for the Citizens Committee, the nonprofit organization that maintains the collection. Barbara Walther, who lived in the house, served as curator of the gardens for more than 50 years. After her death in 1977, the Citizens Committee continued her work preserving the collection through volunteer efforts and private donations.

The gardens faced uncertainty in 2008 during financial difficulties, but Essex County Parks Department stepped in to purchase the property and preserve it as a county park. Today, the county maintains the grounds while the nonprofit continues to care for the irises.

Even with a lighter bloom season than I remembered, it was still a lovely way to spend a spring afternoon. Between the historic flowers, rolling garden beds, and quiet atmosphere, Presby remains one of New Jersey’s most unique seasonal destinations.

Essex County Park Posts:

• Branch Brook Park
• Essex County Presby Memorial Park
• Presby Memorial Iris Gardens
• Lenape Trail

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Location: 474 Upper Mountain Ave, Montclair, New Jersey
Designation: County Park
Date designated/established: September 17, 1980
Date of my visit: May 22, 2026