PHOTO CREDIT: BARBARA BLOSSOM ASHMUN
Why our members love open gardens
Open Gardens inspire
Open Gardens brings people together through shared curiosity and a love of plants. Whether you’re a beginning gardener or a seasoned plant lover, you’ll find something here to spark your imagination.
- Enjoy real, lived-in gardens: See gardens in all stages of growth, thriving areas, experiments, surprises, and everything in between. It’s honest and encouraging for gardeners at any level.
- Learn directly from fellow gardeners: Ask questions, hear what worked (and what didn’t), and pick up ideas you won’t find in books or online.
- Find inspiration for your own space: From clever plant combinations to creative problem-solving, every garden offers takeaways you can bring home.
- Be part of a welcoming garden community: Connect with people who share your love of plants, swap stories, and make new friends. You might walk away with a (gifted) plant or two, too.
Bringing local gardeners together is a big part of what HPSO does. The Open Gardens program invites HPSO members to open their gardens on a day and time of their choosing. On that day, these generous hosts welcome visitors from our community to see their private gardens, ask questions about their approaches to gardening, and learn what has worked or not worked in that particular garden. The gardens are as unique as the hosts themselves, as each space is their canvas for exploring the art of gardening.
Private Gardens, Opened Just for You
HPSO members open their gardens each season for fellow members to explore. Search the Open Garden Directory to find gardens by date, location, and features. Then show up, look around, and enjoy.
Members log in to search the directory. Not a member yet? Join today.
2026 Open Gardens season by the numbers:
Gardens are listed in the Open Gardens Directory. Log in, search by date, location, and features, and pick a garden. Show up, be respectful of any signs or requests the host may have, and explore the work of your fellow HPSO member. The Open Gardens committee also organizes mini-tours, so you can visit several gardens in close proximity or with a shared theme. Mini-tours are noted in the weekly newsletter and in the directory. The season typically runs from early spring to late fall.
- Search the garden directory by date, location, and features
- Pick your dates
- Grab some friends and sturdy shoes
- Buckle up and have a great time
Volunteers on the Open Gardens committee work hard to organize people nearby or with a shared focus to open on the same day. This lets you make a day of it, bumbling from one HPSO garden to another. Is there a better way to spend a day? Hardly!
EVERY GARDEN IS WORTH A VISIT
Open your garden, open a conversation
No garden is ever perfect. They’re all works in progress.
Log in to your account to add your date, photos, and garden details.
Choose a day that works for you and your garden’s rhythm.
Share a few images so visitors know what to expect.
Pick up a free sign before your open garden so guests can find you easily.
Welcome fellow plant lovers and enjoy the conversations that follow.
HPSO OPEN GARDENS
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I visit an HPSO Open Garden?
Open Gardens are a members-only experience. By joining HPSO, you gain access to member-hosted gardens throughout the season, each offering a unique chance to learn, explore, and connect with fellow plant lovers. Members are also welcome to bring friends.
Can my garden be in the program?
Yes. You’ll need to be a member first, so join HPSO if you haven’t yet. Then log in, go to My Garden in your account menu, build your garden profile, and add your open dates. It’s as easy as that.
If you’d like a hand getting started, you can ask to be matched with an experienced host from the same page.
Can I bring a friend?
Yes. Bringing friends to HPSO events and programs is one of the best ways for people to experience the joys of HPSO membership. We just encourage you to nudge them to join as well.
How do I join?
How many Open Gardens are there each season?
Around 70 to 80 gardens open each season, with many hosts committing to multiple dates.
How long does the Open Gardens season go?
Most open dates fall between February and October, and folks with impressive hellebore collections like to kick the season off. Some gardens are also available by appointment, so members can find a garden to visit at other times of year too.
How do members find out which gardens are open?
Log in and search the Open Gardens Directory, which is visible to members only. It lists gardens, open dates, and gardens available by appointment. Upcoming open dates also appear in the Grow newsletter.
A members-only experience
Step Into Our Members’ Gardens
Already a Member?
Log in to search the Open Gardens Directory, plus member events and everything else across the site.
Not a Member Yet?
Join to visit Open Gardens, plus member pricing, special events, and a community of plant lovers.
Explore Our Other Programs
After Hours
Quiet evening hours in the nursery, members only.
Garden Travel
Guided trips to remarkable gardens, near and far.
Plant Sales
Rare plants and local growers, all in one place.
Quarterly
Our seasonal magazine, full of garden stories.
Roots & Shoots
Local groups where gardeners meet and share ideas.
Speaker Events
Expert talks on gardening, straight from the source.
Workshops
Hands-on learning, with a new topic each time.