Delaware may be small, but it’s packed with stunning gardens and green spaces that most residents don’t even know about. Beyond the well-known Longwood Gardens (just across the PA border), here are five hidden gems worth a visit.

Mount Cuba Center — Hockessin
This 50-acre botanical garden focuses exclusively on native plants of the Piedmont region. The wildflower meadows are breathtaking in spring, and the woodland paths feel like stepping into a fairytale. Open select days — check their schedule.

Winterthur Museum & Garden — Winterthur
While Winterthur’s mansion gets the headlines, the 1,000-acre naturalistic garden is the real star. The Enchanted Woods children’s garden, the Azalea Woods, and the Sundial Garden are all world-class. Plan for a full day.

Bellevue State Park — Wilmington
A former DuPont estate with beautifully maintained gardens, an equestrian center, and miles of walking trails. The formal garden near the mansion is Instagram-worthy, and admission is just $4 per car for Delaware residents.

Read House & Gardens — New Castle
Step back in time in this colonial-era garden in historic New Castle. The boxwood hedges and heirloom plantings are meticulously maintained by local volunteers. Free to visit — a quiet escape from modern life.

Goodstay Gardens — Wilmington
Tucked behind the University of Delaware’s Wilmington campus, this small formal garden is a peaceful lunch spot or afternoon retreat. Most Wilmingtonians have never heard of it — which is part of its charm.

Each of these spaces offers something different — from native wildflowers to formal hedgerows. Pack a picnic, bring a camera, and explore Delaware’s green side.