300 Longview Road, Far Hills, NJ 07931

(For driving / GPS address)

What's In Bloom

August 2020 - click to learn more....

Hours of Operation / Spring & Summer Activities / Reservations / History / Cell Phone Tour / No Smoking Policy

Willowwood Arboretum, 136 acres of rolling farmland, has approximately 3,500 varieties of native and exotic plants, many of them rare plant species. In addition to undisturbed forest, the botanic collections include oak, maple, willow, magnolia, lilac, cherry, fir, pine, a superb specimen of Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia) now more than 100 feet tall, masses of ferns, and handsome stands of field and forest wildflowers.

The Tubbs House, the historic residence, dates back to 1792 with the conservatory added in the 1930s. The gardens were planned to align with the house with the landscape. From the front door, the eye is drawn to the beautiful wrought iron gate, and beyond to the hillside and its changing colors. With the back door open, you can see down the center aisle of the Pan’s garden to the statue at the end. The pervading feeling at Willowwood is one of pleasant informal paths through open areas and woodland, all carefully developed.

Willowwood Arboretum is adjacent to Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center., another facility of the Morris County Park System. Geologically, these properties are of particular interest since Willowwood is in the Piedmont Province of New Jersey, while much of Bamboo Brook lies in the New Jersey Highlands Province. A study of their soils and rocks shows characteristic differences.

Tented weddings and special events are also permitted. Reservations can be made by calling 973-326-7631 option 2.

Digital trail maps are available online.

Spring and Summer Activities:

Embrace the world of horticulture and meander through the lush gardens of Willowwood Arboretum. With a collection of over 2100 types of native and exotic plants, the sights are sure to amaze. Pack your lunch and bring a blanket, find the perfect secluded location, and take in the beauty of the sit. Looking for the ideal location to have a wedding, bridal shower, family outing, or corporate event? Look no further. The Stone Barn at Willowwood offers an intimate and charming location that creates a lasting impression.

The Special Events page highlights programs and activities, offering unique and fun opportunities for visitors of all ages.

Reservations

Looking for the ideal location to have a wedding, bridal shower, family outing, or corporate event? Look no further. The Stone Barn at Willowwood offers an intimate and charming location that creates a lasting impression. Tented weddings or special events are also permitted. To obtain a photography permit, request venue information, pricing, or book the facility, please CLICK HERE to fill out the Event Request Form.

Gardens, Plant Collections, and Structures.

For a complete list of gardens and their descriptions, as well as the structures, please click here.

Seasonal Highlights

The Willowwood Arboretum can be enjoyed each day of the year. Here are some of the most popular gardens and plant collections:

Garden/Plant Collection	Best Viewing Months
Conservatory	February – April
Snowdrops & Winter Aconite	March
Hellebores & Witch-Hazels	Mid-March – Mid-April
Woodwalk	April – June
Daffodils	Mid – Late April
Cherries & Magnolias	Mid-April – Mid-May
Lilacs	Late April – Late May
Pan’s Garden	May – September
Cottage Garden	May – October
Rosarie	June – October
Meadows in Bloom	July – October
Fall Foliage & Fruit	Mid-September – November
Conifers & Hollies	November - March

Willowwood Foundation

The Willowwood Foundation supports and promotes the development of the Willowwood Arboretum. Information about their activities is available through the website, willowwoodfoundation.org.

History:

The Tubbs brothers bought the land parcel in 1908 to pursue their love of horticulture. The property was named for the gorgeous willow trees that once graced the home. In 1950, Willowwood was established as a privately-owned arboretum.

Robert Tubbs died in 1942 and Henry Tubbs died in 1958, leaving Willowwood Arboretum to Wildlife Preserves, Inc., a non-profit group whose goal was to preserve the land and its natural state. In Henry’s Last Will and Testament, he specified the Willowwood would be held and maintained ‘in perpetuity’ as an arboretum, that it was to be used for educational purposes for the public. It remained a private arboretum until 1967, when Rutgers University assumed ownership. In March 1980, the Morris County Park Commission acquired Willowwood Arboretum from Rutgers University.

Hours of Operation:

Willowwood Arboretum is open daily 8 a.m. to Sunset throughout the year.

No Smoking Policy

The Morris County Park Commission has recently announced a No Smoking Policy banning all smoking including burning of, inhaling from, exhaling the smoke from or the possession of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or any other matter of substance which contains tobacco or any other matter that can be smoked, or the inhaling or exhaling of smoke or vapor from an electronic smoking device. CLICK HERE for more details. Thank you for your continued support!