Brookside Gardens

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Brookside Gardens is Montgomery County’s incomparable, award-winning 50-acre public display garden situated within Wheaton Regional Park. Included in the gardens are several distinct areas: Aquatic Garden, Azalea Garden, Butterfly Garden, Children’s Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Style Garden, Trial Garden, Rain Garden, and the Woodland Walk. The Formal Gardens areas include a Perennial Garden, Yew Garden, the Maple Terrace, and Fragrance Garden. Brookside Gardens also feature two conservatories for year-round enjoyment. Admission to the gardens is free.

The Gardens are open for your enjoyment, relaxation and exercise.

Due to COVID-19, the visitor center building is closed. There are no restroom facilities, we ask that you plan your visit accordingly.

Please be considerate of other visitors and observe the Garden etiquette rules.

For the safety and enjoyment of all visitors, Brookside Gardens prohibits the following:

  • Food, drink, and picnicking
    • NOTE: Picnic facilities are available nearby at the Shorefield Area of Wheaton Regional Park.
  • Pets are not allowed with the exception of service animals
  • Frisbees, bicycles, skateboards, scooters, roller blades, balls, skates, skis, sleds, and recreational and athletic equipment
  • Bare feet
  • Fishing, Swimming and Walking in flower beds
  • Audio devices (except headphones)
  • Feeding or harassment of geese, fish, or wildlife
  • Removing any plant material or wildlife

Limousine Policy: Limousines must obtain a permit in advance of entering Brookside Gardens.
Photography Policy: All groups of two or more must obtain a photography permit in advance.

Please note: Brookside Gardens’ vehicle entrances feature deer exclusion grates, which also preclude pedestrians from crossing. All pedestrians should enter the Gardens through either the pedestrian entrances on Glenallan Avenue to the left of the vehicle entrance, or the conservatory pedestrian entrance to the right of the vehicle entrance. Crossing the deer exclusion grates on foot could result in injury.

Virtual Programs

Even though our facilities are currently closed, Montgomery Parks and Brookside Gardens are adapting our education programming to offer you online learning opportunities. Check out this free video to learn helpful design tips as you plan your summer garden and register for our fall and winter programs on Monday, August 24 through www.Activemontgomery.org. 

Perfect Plant Marriages

 

 

Graphic for Art in the Garden event, Green and yellow fonts with green bar at bottom with Brookside Gardens logo and Montgomery Parks logoArt in the Garden

Brookside Gardens is hosting an online art competition for Montgomery County public high school students.
Juried category winners will be announced May 13, 2020.

Visit Brookside Gardens’ Facebook page from May 11 to May 17 to cast your vote for the People’s Choice award.

People’s Choice Winner will be announced on May 19, 2020!

MORE INFORMATION

Weddings and Other Venue Rentals at Brookside Gardens

Award-winning Brookside Gardens is a picture-perfect location for garden weddings. From April through October, groups as large as 110 enjoy the Gardens’ shimmering ponds, romantic gazebos, colorful gardens, and green lawn expanses for celebrations of all kinds. The contemporary Reception Hall and Conservatory are available year-round and are ideal locations for large and small indoor gatherings.

Brookside Gardens offers a choice of meeting venues. The Hall, with its panoramic view of the regularly changing, spectacular garden displays, can seat 175 lecture room-style. Brookside’s classrooms are also available for small meetings or training sessions for groups up to 50.

For more information, visit the Venue Rentals and Photo Permits webpage.  To schedule a private event consultation or tour, click here.

Registration Online

Sign up for activities, classes, and events at Brookside Gardens 24 hours a day, seven days a week through ActiveMONTGOMERY.

eNewsletter

Find out the latest news including upcoming programs and activities by signing up for Brookside Gardens’ monthly eNewsletter by clicking on this link.

Donations

Contributions to the Montgomery County Parks Foundation on behalf of Brookside Gardens keep the Gardens moving forward to become an even stronger community resource. They also ensure hours of enjoyment for future Brookside Gardens visitors. Please donate to the Montgomery County Parks Foundation today.

Sponsorships

All inquiries regarding sponsorships may be directed to Ellen Bennett, 301-962-1402 or Ellen.Bennett@montgomeryparks.org

Last Updated: July 9, 2020