Chocolate is not the only thing you will find in Hershey, PA.

Now that I am back from an self-imposed hiatus, I thought I would share some pictures from my vacation.  I made a trip back to PA. for a class and family reunion.  While showing my grandson the Hershey chocolate factory I found out they also have a garden. A twenty three acre garden.  Finding this out I could not leave Hershey without visiting the garden.

The garden was started in 1937 by Milton Hershey.  The original garden began as a 3.5 acre rose garden and has evolved to a twenty three acre masterpiece consisting of fifteen separate gardens.  As the seasons change so does the beauty and characteristics of each garden.   

If you have been fortunate to visit Hershey Gardens, which one is your favorite?  I couldn’t decide between the Perennial Garden and the Conifer Collection.  Here is a list of the individual gardens:

1. Hershey Rose Garden
2. Italian Rose Garden
3. Children’s Garden
4. Butterfly House
5. Oak Grove
6. Japanese Garden
7. Ornamental Grasses
8. Arboretum
9. Conifer Collection
10. Mrs. Hershey’s Rose Garden
11. Herb Garden
12. Perennial Garden
13. Memorial Garden
14. Square Garden & Fan Garden
15. Bill Bowman Garden

The magnitutde of the garden cannot be comprehended by just reading about it, you must visit it and take in its loveliness in person.  Just to give you a few examples of how large the garden is, image 7,000 roses, 275 gorgeous varieties, blooming simultaneously.  Each fall 30, 000 tulip bulbs are planted for the upcoming spring.  Finally, 400 different trees and shrubs and several hundred different varieties from around the world.

Granted there are larger gardens around the world, but this I found as a quiet refugee from the noise and hustle of the nearby amusement park.  A wonderful sanctuaryy to visit while your children are enjoying the thrills and adventures of the amusement rides and attractions.  If you live close I envy you.  If you are traveling nearby take a detour and visit the gardens I guarantee you will not regret the time spent touring the magnificent gardens.