A Visit to Ladew Topiary Gardens: One of Maryland’s Most Beautiful Day Trips
Beauty around every corner
Every summer, our family finds our way back to Ladew Topiary Gardens, and it's become one of my favorite traditions to share.
There's something about walking through the gardens that feels different from a typical day out. The views are stunning at every turn, the pace is slow, and it's one of the few places where I actually feel myself relax while my daughter runs ahead to explore. But what keeps us coming back, year after year, is one truly unique experience: the native Butterfly House.
Located in Monkton, Ladew Topiary Gardens sits right here in Harford County and has earned recognition far beyond it.
The estate spans 250 acres, with 22 acres of formal, themed garden rooms open for visitors to wander. As a nonprofit organization, every visit supports its continued beauty and educational opportunities.
Quick Facts to Know
📍 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD 21111
🌸 22 acres of themed gardens: a fragrant rose garden, a serene water garden with lilies, and so much more
🎟 Open April-October, admission fees apply
⛲️ Beautiful fountains + secret passage ways
🦋 A butterfly house filled with native species
🎶 Seasonal events including kid-friendly programming, outdoor concerts, guided hikes, and painting workshops
🥙 Ladew Cafe offers scratchmade options for dining onsite
🌷 The grounds are stroller friendly (a bit bumpy) and the garden welcomes children of all ages
☀️ Full sun, I recommend visiting on cloudy/cooler days
Where Every Path Tells a Story
Ladew's gardens are the heart of the experience. Fifteen distinct garden areas make up the grounds, each with its own personality and design. The topiary sculptures are the real showstopper, including Ladew's famous fox-hunting scene, shaped entirely from living hedges.
Our personal favorites are the rose garden, koi ponds, and the great bowl in the center of it all. Each offers something unique to explore, while also keeping it engaging for children.
A mile-long Nature Walk winds through the property as well, giving little legs room to run beyond the formal gardens. Seating is placed throughout the grounds, which we've always appreciated on hot summer days.
The Butterfly House
This is our must-do every single visit. Open seasonally each summer, the Butterfly House lets visitors walk through a native habitat and witness the full lifecycle of local butterflies and moths up close.
A knowledgeable docent is always on hand to answer questions, which makes it just as engaging for adults as it is for kids. They are wonderful at making nature accessible for all.
Tickets to the Butterfly House are included with general admission, but I'd recommend purchasing in advance since it is timed with limited reservations.
Garden Glow at Ladew
If there's one Ladew event worth planning your fall around, it's Garden Glow. This annual fall festival transforms the gardens after dark with glowing art installations, hundreds of illuminated jack-o'-lanterns, live music, and family-friendly activities scattered across the 22-acre property.
It's become one of Ladew's most beloved traditions, and it sells out every single year, so tickets are worth grabbing the moment they go on sale.
If you're a Ladew member, you'll get early access before tickets open to the public. It's a completely different way to experience the gardens, and one that I think everyone should try at least once.
Where Curiosity Grows
Beyond a great day out, Ladew also offers meaningful learning opportunities for kids throughout the season. One of my personal recommendations is their Family Nature Explorers, a monthly drop-in program held right in the gardens, meadow, or Nature Walk. Each month features a different hands-on theme, complete with learning stations, crafts, and self-guided activities to continue the fun.
No registration is required, and it's included with regular garden admission (free for members), making it an easy way to turn a normal visit into something a little more educational.
Ladew also hosts school field trip programs. It was the first field trip location my daughter attended and she’s still sharing the facts she learned from that visit to this day.
The Cafe
After a morning of exploring, the Ladew Café is the perfect place to stop for lunch. It offers scratch-made sandwiches, seasonal salads, and a dedicated kid's menu, all served on a terrace overlooking the gardens.
Their homemade desserts are also a favorite of mine and something I can never resists grabbing when we visit.
It's a simple, relaxed way to extend the visit into a full day out, and one more reason we always end up staying longer than planned.
Looking for more seasonal activities?
Check out the guide to summer adventures in & around Harford County!
