2 Best Sights in Montgomery County, Maryland

At the rolling 50-acre Brookside Gardens, the series of theme areas highlight roses, azaleas, flowers with particularly potent fragrance, and plants that attract butterflies, among many others. Two conservatories house seasonal displays and exotic tropicals throughout the year. The visitor center has an auditorium, classrooms for adults and children, a 5,000-volume horticulture library, a gift shop, an information booth, and horticulture-related works by local artists on display.

More than 750 varieties of azaleas bloom in the 5-acre McCrillis Gardens from late March through July, and usually peak around May 1. Ornamental trees and shrubs, including a remarkable collection of rhododendrons, bloom in the warm months. The Brookside Gardens School of Botanical Art and Illustration classes are held inside the home.