Traditional Bloom Schedule
Bloom schedules vary by species and are influenced by weather conditions. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date changes in bloom schedules.
The first signs of spring are the early blooming bulbs. Even some tulips add splashes of color to the many early perennials emerging around them.
| Hybrid Witchhazels (Hamamelis x intermedia) | PJM Rhododendron (Rhododendron P.J.M. Hybrids) | |
| Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia) | Sweetbox (Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis) | |
| Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica) | Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) | |
| Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas) | Fragrant Winterhazel (Corylopsis glabrescens) | |
| Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) | Red Maple (Acer rubrum) | |
| Flowering Cherries (Prunus) | Parrotia (Parrotia persica) | |
| Harry Lauder's Walkingstick (Corylus avellana 'Contorta') |
Early Spring Bulbs
| Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) | Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) | |
| Early Daffodils (Narcissus) | Grape Hyacinth (Muscari latifolium) | |
| Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica) | Greek Windflower (Anemone blanda) | |
| Giant Snowdrops (Galanthus) | Early Tulips (Tulipa hybrids) | |
| Glory-of-the-Snow (Chionodoxa sardensis) |
COOL SEASON ANNUALS
| Pansies | Bellis | |
| Calendula |
early spring perennials
| Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis) | Common Periwinkle Vine (Vinca minor) | |
| Alleghany Pachysandra (Pachysandra procumbens) | Lungwort (Pulmonaria angustifolia) |
"Spring Extravaganza" is highlighted with our magnificent display of 45,000 tulips, featuring more than 100 cultivars of early, mid, and late blooming varieties. Visitors will enjoy a succession of blooms from 35,000 spring bulbs, flowering trees, and a few showy perennials during this magnificent time.
| Flowering Crabapples (Malus hybrida) | Flowering Plum (Prunus triloba) | |
| Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) | Weeping Cherry (Prunus subhirtella var. pendula) | |
| Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa) | Carolina Silverbell (Halesia carolina) | |
| Azaleas (Rhododendron species) | Kerria (Kerria japonica) | |
| 'Winter King' Green Hawthorn (Crataegus viridis 'Winter King') | Oregon Grapeholly (Mahonia aquifolium) | |
| Redbud (Cercis canadensis) | Hardy-orange (Ponciris trifoliate) | |
| Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) | Oriental Cherry (Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan') | |
| Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) | Viburnum (Viburnum species) | |
| Fothergilla (Fothergilla major) | Tree Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) | |
| Yoshino Cherry (Prunus yedoensis) |
Spring Bulbs
| Tulips – 45,000 featuring over 100 cultivars | Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) | |
| Late Daffodils (Narcissus) | Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanicus) | |
| Giant Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum) |
perennials
| Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) | Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) | |
| Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) | Pasque-Flower (Anemone pulsatilla) | |
| Siberian Iris (Iris siberica) | Creeping Phlox | |
| Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spectabilis) | Primrose (Primula hybrida) | |
| Lungwort (Pulmonaria) |
COOL SEASON ANNUALS
| Pansies | Bellis | |
| Calendula |
Late spring continues with fresh foliage emerging from trees and shrubs as the grass turns a lush green. Azaleas, rhododendrons, peonies, iris and summer-flowering shrubs will bloom during these months. The foliage of the Japanese Maples is particularly beautiful during this time.
| Crabapples (Malus) | Fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) | |
| Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) | Tuliptree/Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) | |
| Lilacs (Syringa meyeri & vulgaris) | Red Horsechestnut (Aesculus x carnea) | |
| Littleleaf Lilac (Syringa macrophylla) | Sweetshrub/Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus floridus) | |
| Sweet Mockorange (Philadelphus coronarius) | Rockspray/Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) | |
| Mountain-laurel (Kalmia latifolia) | Deutzia (Deutzia species) | |
| Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) | Common Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) | |
| Weigela (Weigela florida) | Scarlet Firethorn/Pyracantha (Pyracantha coccinea) | |
| Pawpaw (Asimia triloba) | Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) | |
| Chocolate Vine (Akebia quinata) | Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) | |
| Rhododendron (Rhododendron species and cultivars) | Heavenly bamboo/Nandina (Nandina domestica) |
Bulbs
| Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanicus) | Camas/Quamash (Camassia cuskii) | |
| Giant Snowflakes (Leucojum aestivum) |
perennials
| Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) | Basket-of-Gold (Aurinia saxitilis) | |
| Phlox (Phlox species) | Bearded Iris (Iris germanica) | |
| Chinese Peony (Paeonia lactiflora) | Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) | |
| Columbine (Aquilegia hybrida) | Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis) | |
| Lungwort (Pulmonaria) | Cottage Pinks (Dianthus plumarius) | |
| Giant Ornamental Onion (Allium giganteum) | Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis) | |
| Lady’s-Mantle (Alchemilla mollis) | Cypress Spurge (Euphorbia) | |
| Flowering Spurge (Euphorbia species) | Torch Lily / Red-Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria) | |
| Fairy wings / Bishop’s hat (Epimedium hybrida) – semi-evergreen | Jacob’s-Ladder (Polemonium caeruleum) | |
| Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis) | Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum biflorum) | |
| Hardy Geranium / Cranesbill (Geranium species) | Meadowrue (Thalictrum aquilegifolium) | |
| Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana) | Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) |
Summer begins with the peak bloom of the historic Hershey Rose Garden. More than 5,600 roses represent 275 different varieties and include the new All American Rose Selection winners, as well as old favorites. A rainbow of 12,000 colorful annuals, representing more than 200 plant species and cultivars, will bloom throughout the season and continue until frost.
| Roses – 275 cultivars & species – over 5,600 plants | Bottlebrush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) | |
| Cannas – A Milton Hershey favorite! | Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) | |
| Flowering annuals – 150 varieties | Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) | |
| Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa) | Shrubby St. Johnswort (Hypericum prolificum) | |
| Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicum) | American Elder (Sambucus canadensis) | |
| Fragrant Snowbell (Styrax obassium) | Pagodatree/Scholar-tree (Sophora japonica) | |
| Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia pseudo-camellia) | Spirea (Spirea species) | |
| Sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboretum) | Stewardia (Stewardia pseudo-camellia) | |
| Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa amurensis japonica) | Rose-of-Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) | |
| Potentilla / Bush Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) | Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris) | |
| Catalpa / Bean tree (Catalpa speciosa) | Japanese Beautyberry (Callicarpa japonica) | |
| Summersweet Clethra (Clethra alnifolia) | Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) | |
| Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica) | Linden (Tilia species) | |
| Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) | Chastetree (Vitex negundo) | |
| Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) | Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) | |
| Bluebeard/Blue-mist Shrub (Caryopteris x clandonensis) |
perennials
| Astilbe (Astilbe species) | Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | |
| Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) | Japanese Anemone (Anemone x hybrida) | |
| Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) | Clematis Vine (Clematis species) | |
| Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale) | Butterfly Weed / Milkweed (Asclepias species) | |
| Blazing Star (Pulmonaria) | Blackberry Lily (Belamcanda chinensis) | |
| Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) | Leadwort / Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) | |
| Garden Lily (Lilium sp.) | Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) | |
| Tickseed (Coreopsis species) | Joe-pye weed (Eupatorium species) | |
| Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro) | Hardy Sunflower (Heliopsis scabra) | |
| Beardtongue (Penstemon hybrida) | Spike Speedwell (Veronica spicata) | |
| Sea-Lavender (Limonium latifolium) | Coralbells/Alum Root (Heuchera sanguinea) | |
| Hardy Geranium / Cranesbill (Geranium species) | Flax (Linum perenne) | |
| Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) | Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) | |
| Daylily (Hemerocallis hybrids) | Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) | |
| Phlox (Phlox species) | Loosestrife (Lysimachia species) | |
| Hosta (Hosta species and cultivars) | Bee Balm/Oswego Tea (Monarda didyma) | |
| Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) | Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys) | |
| Sages (Salvia species) | Adam’s Needle (Yucca filamentosa) | |
| Lilyturf / Liriope (Liriope spicata) | Giant Onion (Allium giganteum) | |
Autumn means not only the shortening of days and the lower position of the sun in the sky, but another change to the landscape of Hershey Gardens. Adding to the continued bloom of 5,600 roses and colorful summer annuals are 1,000 brilliant chrysanthemums, fall blooming perennials, and a spectacular display of fall foliage throughout the Gardens.
| Chrysanthemums – shades of yellow, orange, red, purple, and pink | Sweetautumn Clematis (Clematis paniculata) | |
| Fall Foliage – Maples, Cherries, Viburnum, Fothergilla, Dogwood, Gingko, Burning bush, Oak, Dawn redwood, Hydrangea | Crabapples - fruit of red, orange, yellow | |
| Pumpkins - Carving, white, Jarendale, Cinderella, Fairytale, Pump-ke-mon | Magnolia fruit (Magnolia species) | |
| Gourds - Gooseneck, apple, gremlins, spoon, Autumn wings, ornamental | Scarlet Firethorn/Pyracantha berries (Pyracantha coccinea ‘Mohave’) | |
| Squash - Acorn, Stripe, Turks Turbon, Delicata, Carnival, peanut | Roses (Rosa hybrids) | |
| Ornamental Grasses - Fountain, Switch, Maiden, Japanese Forest, Feather Reed, Giant Reed, Northern Sea Oats | Berried Viburnum - berries of red, blue, white, orange | |
| Holly berries - fruit of red and yellow | Ornamental Peppers - fruit of yellow, red, orange, purple | |
| Beautyberries - fruit of purple and white |
perennials
| Chocolate Joe-pye weed (Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate') | Sedum / Showy Stonecrop (Sedum spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’) | |
| Asters (Aster species) | Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria) | |
| Goldenrod (Solidago species) | Showy Autumn Crocus (Colchicum speciosum) | |
| Sages (Salvia species) | Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana) |
"Winter Walk" at Hershey Gardens is a celebration of the gifts of nature during the holiday season. Wonderful winter plants take center stage as next spring's flower buds begin to reveal themselves. Discover the unadorned character of the Gardens' many stately trees while you keep watch for birds feeding on seeds and berries and squirrels burying those last few acorns.
| Red and Yellow Holly berries (Ilex species) | Pieris colorful buds (Pieris japonica) | |
| Purple & White Beautyberries (Callicarpa species) | Oregon Grapeholly (Mahonia aquifolium) | |
| Conifers - foliage in shades of green, yellow, russet, and blue | Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) | |
| Colorful tree bark - Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia pseudo-camellia), Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa), Beech (Fagus species), Persian Parrotia (Parrotia persica), River Birch (Betula nigra), Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum), Lacebark Pine (Pinus bungeana), Japanese Red Pine (Pinus densiflora) | Scarlet Firethorn/Pyracantha berries (Pyracantha coccinea ‘Mohave’) | |
| Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) | Heavenly bamboo/Nandina berries (Nandina domestica) | |
| Yellowtwig Dogwood (Cornus sericea ‘Bud’s Yellow’) | Evergreen ferns - Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), Japanese Holly Fern (Cyrtomium falcatum ‘Rochfordianum’), Autumn Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) | |
| Redtwig Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) | Ornamental Grasses - Fountain, Switch, Maiden, Japanese Forest, Feather Reed, Giant Reed, Northern Sea Oats | |
| Variegated Redtwig Dogwood (Cornus alba ‘Argenteo-marginata) |
