A Living Glimpse into the Past

The Formal Gardens, designed by Thomas Sears, are rooted along a central path that branches out to connect the ornamental garden and the vegetable garden. A cross path divides the Formal Gardens into four garden “rooms,” called parterres. These garden rooms serve as living collections, each with their own “exhibition” title: Pink & White Garden, West Rose Garden, East Rose Garden, and Blue & Yellow Garden. 

In addition to these curated spaces, you’ll find Japanese-style tea houses, pergolas, two fountains, perennial and shrub borders, and specimen trees. 

While landscape architects originally advocated for the Formal Gardens to be an extension of the main residence, Katharine Reynolds wanted her gardens to be an extension of the greenhouses. This allowed the gardens to be accessible to the public from Reynolda Road and ensured the privacy of the family.

In the Gardens
Fruit, Cut Flower & Vegetable Garden
Japanese Teahouse in Blue & Yellow Garden
Fruit, Cut Flower & Vegetable Garden
Japanese Teahouses
Blue & Yellow Garden
Dick and Smith Reynolds’s Log Cabin Playhouse

Explore the Gardens

Gardens Events

See full calendar

Jun 15, 2026, 9:00am — Jun 18, 2026, 12:00pm

Young Naturalists Camp is a four-day adventure inviting campers to learn, create, explore, and play throughout the beautiful landscapes of Reynolda Gardens. Throughout the week, campers will spend tim…

Learn More

Jun 22, 2026, 9:00am — Jun 25, 2026, 12:00pm

Young Naturalists Camp is a four-day adventure inviting campers to learn, create, explore, and play throughout the beautiful landscapes of Reynolda Gardens. Throughout the week, campers will spend tim…

Learn More

Jul 8, 2026, 10:00am — 11:00am

Join us in the Gardens to learn more about the natural world around us. Each session will engage a young naturalist in hands-on learning as we closely study a topic while enjoying the Gardens and Grou…

Learn More
Children along a creek

Jul 20, 2026, 10:00am — 11:30am

Explore the creek that flows through the Wildflower Garden along Reynolda’s Woodland Trail. Come prepared to get your feet wet and observe amazing macroinvertebrates in this aquatic ecosystem! A…

Learn More