Spring is here, and Mother Nature is putting on a breathtaking display of flowers. There are lots of places around Northern Virginia to spot beautiful blooms (like the famous cherry trees). But if you feel like taking it a step further, embark on a day trip to some of these nearby arboretums and botanical gardens, where you can see acres and acres of lovely blooms and expert landscaping.
U.S. National Arboretum
Drive time from Dulles: About 1 hour
It’s all about trees at this facility in Washington, DC. Visit to walk among the many collections, including dogwoods, a fern valley, holly and magnolia trees, and a bonsai museum. 3501 New York Ave. NE, Washington, DC
Brookside Gardens
Drive time from Dulles: About 1 hour
Make a trip to Montgomery County’s Wheaton Regional Park to explore the 50-acre gardens inside. There are several sections, including an aquatic garden, an azalea garden, a butterfly garden, and more. April is a good time to see azaleas, dogwood, purple-leaf plum, and more. 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, Maryland
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
Drive time from Dulles: About 2 hours
Spanning 50 acres, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is full of stunning natural displays. Stroll through the rose garden, the cherry tree walk, the Asian valley, and more to see some of the plants that grow here. April is the perfect time to see blooms like Virginia bluebells, tulip magnolia, lilies, cherry blossoms, and more. 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond
Longwood Gardens
Drive time from Dulles: About 3 hours
You may recognize Longwood Gardens for its popular holiday display, but the Pennsylvania botanical gardens are a sight to behold all year round — especially when spring flowers are in full bloom. There are nearly 200 acres of carefully landscaped gardens to explore, including a new bonsai courtyard and a recently redesigned idea garden. Visit to see tulips, wisteria, lilies, and blue poppies galore. 1001 Longwood Rd., Kennet Square, Pennsylvania
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
Drive time from Dulles: About 3 hours
This Delaware mansion is surrounded with 1,000 acres of hills, streams, meadows, and forests. Visit in April to see 500,000 sunny daffodils in bloom and the bright colors in the Azalea Woods. The peony garden is in full bloom in May. You can tour the gardens on a tram or on a guided walk. 5105 Kennett Pk., Winterthur, Delaware
Feature image of National Arboretum, stock.adobe.com
