Somerset County Park Commission

Leonard J. Buck Garden

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General Information
The Leonard J. Buck Garden is one of the premier rock gardens in the eastern United States. Begun in the late 1930's, the garden has reached a breathtaking point of maturity. It consists of a series of alpine and woodland gardens situated in a 33-acre wooded stream valley. Named for Mr. Leonard J. Buck, who developed the garden as part of his estate, it was donated to the Somerset County Park Commission by Mrs. Helen Buck in 1976.

Mr. Buck worked with Mr. Zenon Schreiber, a well-known landscape architect, to develop a naturalistic garden which incorporated several large rock outcroppings found on the property. Their aim was to create a garden that would be ecologically correct and not recognizable as being man-made. Each outcropping is slightly different, creating varying exposures and microclimates which enable different plant associations to thrive.

One of the greatest delights in visiting the Leonard J. Buck Garden is discovering its variety of plants. Tucked among the rocks are rare and exotic rock garden plants. The wooded trails connecting the outcroppings are lined with beautiful wild flowers that have flourished and multiplied through the years. Throughout the gardens grow various ferns. At the base of the valley walls, azaleas and rhododendrons produce a colorful display in May and early June. The Buck Garden's peak bloom is in spring, when favorite wildflowers, diminutive alpines, and delicate azaleas all compete for attention, but there is something interesting in bloom almost every week of the year.

To make the Leonard J. Buck Garden more accessible for visitors, the Somerset County Park Commission has increased parking and renovated the original carriage house as a Visitors' Center. This Visitors' Center houses the administrative offices, a meeting room, and restroom facilities.

The Garden Conservancy's OPEN DAYS PROGRAM Saturday, May 31, 2008
Visit America's Best Private Gardens

Larger Font \| Smaller Font Leonard J. Buck Garden Click on picture to view additional photos General Information The Leonard J. Buck Garden is one of the premier rock gardens in the eastern United States. Begun in the late 1930's, the garden has reached a breathtaking point of maturity. It consists of a series of alpine and woodland gardens situated in a 33-acre wooded stream valley. Named for Mr. Leonard J. Buck, who developed the garden as part of his estate, it was donated to the Somerset County Park Commission by Mrs. Helen Buck in 1976. Mr. Buck worked with Mr. Zenon Schreiber, a well-known landscape architect, to develop a naturalistic garden which incorporated several large rock outcroppings found on the property. Their aim was to create a garden that would be ecologically correct and not recognizable as being man-made. Each outcropping is slightly different, creating varying exposures and microclimates which enable different plant associations to thrive. One of the greatest delights in visiting the Leonard J. Buck Garden is discovering its variety of plants. Tucked among the rocks are rare and exotic rock garden plants. The wooded trails connecting the outcroppings are lined with beautiful wild flowers that have flourished and multiplied through the years. Throughout the gardens grow various ferns. At the base of the valley walls, azaleas and rhododendrons produce a colorful display in May and early June. The Buck Garden's peak bloom is in spring, when favorite wildflowers, diminutive alpines, and delicate azaleas all compete for attention, but there is something interesting in bloom almost every week of the year. To make the Leonard J. Buck Garden more accessible for visitors, the Somerset County Park Commission has increased parking and renovated the original carriage house as a Visitors' Center. This Visitors' Center houses the administrative offices, a meeting room, and restroom facilities. Guided tours for groups can be arranged at a modest fee. The Garden Conservancy's OPEN DAYS PROGRAM Saturday, May 31, 2008 Visit America's Best Private Gardens Come visit the many seasons of Buck... BUCK GARDEN ON PBS TELEVISION (view with Quick Time) VISITOR GUIDELINES RELEASE AND WAIVER (PDF)
Click below for additional information: What's in bloom? Current programs and events at Buck Garden Moggy Hollow Heaths and Heathers Native Plants Beneficial to Wildlife
	LOCATION: 11 Layton Road Far Hills, NJ 07931 HOURS: 10 am-4 pm Monday to Friday 10 am-5 pm Saturdays 12 pm-5 pm Sundays Closed on weekends and major holidays in Dec., Jan., Feb., and March. FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Somerset County Park Commission Leonard J. Buck Garden 11 Layton Road, Far Hills, NJ 07931 Tel: (908) 234-2677 ADMISSION: Donation Requested ($3/Adult $1/Senior or Child) Click here for direction to Leonard J.Buck Garden.
• For tips on gardening, check out Garden Smart. • For more NJ public gardens, visit Gardens of the Garden State Garden Group.
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