Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting the display garden at Peony’s Envy in Bernardsville, New Jersey. A national distributor of peonies, Peony’s Envy opens its property for garden visits during the blooming season. Located behind a white colonial on a shady cul-de-sac, visiting feels a lot like stepping into a secret garden. A paradise of peonies waiting for you to explore.

The gardens are extensive, laid out over seven acres with mostly accessible paths, and every available bit of ground is planted with lush, voluptuous peonies. At the time of my visit, the herbaceous peonies were in peak bloom with a few intersectional peonies still putting on a good show.

Visiting during the middle of the week was a smart choice as, while there were plenty of people around, the garden felt tranquil and welcoming.