Best gardens and parks in North America

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North America's garden tradition is younger than Europe's or Asia's, but that hasn't stopped some of its institutions from becoming genuinely world-class. Botanical gardens founded in the 19th century have had time to mature, and a handful of privately funded estate gardens from the early 20th century are now among the most visited garden destinations anywhere. The continent also has a strong conservatory tradition, partly driven by the need to grow tropical plants through harsh winters.

The range here is wider than most people expect. Japanese gardens built by immigrant communities in the early 1900s, reclaimed industrial sites turned into formal displays, aquatic gardens that peak for a few weeks in midsummer, rainforest arboretums on volcanic Hawaiian hillsides. Public funding and private philanthropy have both played a role, and the quality varies considerably between institutions.

Seasons shape the experience more than in some other regions. Spring bulbs, summer water lilies, autumn colour and winter conservatory displays each draw their own visitors, and several of the destinations on this page are worth timing around a specific season rather than visiting at random.