Maryland is the Preakness State. Adored by horse and hat lover’s alike. For the gardener, the Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage is definitely what the gardener in the know looks forward to. It is the perfect way to see gardens in neighboring counties which are often not open to the public. From historic homes, sprawling estates, to those gorgeous local gardens, generous Marylanders welcome ticketed guests. A wonderful way to view gardens from a different perspective.
I recently attended the Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage in Talbot County. It was the perfect day to enjoy the serene landscapes as I traveled from garden to garden. It was quite a relaxing drive. Gracious homeowners and guests along the way, were happy to pause and have a conversation.
There were roses in abundance, peonies in bloom, and other assorted perennials. Many perennials were chomping at the bit to show off their beauty. Ooo’s and aah’s filled the air as the guests moved throughout the properties. I followed one path which had the perfect place to take a seat. I paused to notice different views in each direction. There was even a place right at the water’s edge. I imagined lingering at the end of a day filled with gardening, to enjoy good conversations, all while watching the sun become a distant memory. The views were absolutely phenomenal. I noticed a pet cemetery strategically placed to remember the fur babies who kept the homeowners company over the years. It was the perfect spot for a final resting place right next to a living shoreline.
Pops of color excite and inspire all who visited to try something new. The ooh’s and aah’s shared a sense of approval as well as a desire to see what more this landscape had to share. Along the way, visitors had the opportunity to soak up more inspiration from the walled garden filled with bodacious blooms to the serenity of the woodland nooks.
Once at the house, the invitation to take a seat and enjoy a cup of lemonade was truly an unexpected gift to those who visited this garden. This was just one of the gardens I visited on a perfect day of garden tourism in Maryland.
Most gardens do not allow photographs, as these are private homes. Having a good memory or taking notes in the tour book is a good idea. Taking notes of container plant combinations or named roses, reminds the the gardener later on. There was a vignette in a beautiful pot that touched my heart so, I took notes. On the way home, I headed to the closest garden center in an attempt to capture the memory.
On that beautiful Maryland day, I saw a historical Orangery, had ice cream in St. Michel’s, and met other Marylanders from Alleghany County. There might still be tickets available for purchase. The Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage will feature Kensington this weekend on Sunday, June 7th. The final tour for this year will be in Frederick County on Saturday, June 13th.
I wonder if they will have ice cream for dinner? The Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage is a great way to see how others garden. It is also a great way to find out more in the familiar places close to home.
Need more information, visit https://www.mhgpo.org/2026-tours/
Teri, Cottage in the Court
(Photos are my own and no AI was used for this posting.)