Peony Field - Seneca Creek State Park, Gaithersburg MD
N 39° 08.827 W 077° 14.764
18S E 305902 N 4335504
This is one of the best kept secrets in Gaithersburg. It seems that not many people know about this annual peony display each spring in Seneca Creek State Park.
Waymark Code: WM6CGJ
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 05/13/2009
Views: 13
At one time, what is now Gaithersburg City Hall had been the home of Edward P. Schwartz. Mr. Schwartz was a wealthy man and avid gardener and he established a world famous peony garden with thousands of plants on the grounds. In 1946, after the death of Mr. Schwartz' widow, their children had the peonies moved to a farm on Clopper Road. That farm was later incorporated into the present Seneca Creek State Park.
Although there are still hundreds of plants in this field, the garden seems to be known mostly by word of mouth. Most park visitors probably miss this flower display. The field is inside the park, but located near the maintenance yard rather than the picnic and activity areas. If you come by when the blooms are in full blossom in each May, you will find a delight to the eye and a heady fragrance in the air. It's a surprise that the blooms return faithfully each spring, because except for a small tended display garden, the peony field is mowed and used for parking at other times of the year.
Seneca Creek State Park covers 6,300 acres and has several activity areas. To see the peony field, enter at the Clopper Road entrance [N39 09.069 W077 14.798]. After you pass the entrance gate, go straight ahead to the intersection. Turn left toward the maintenance yard. The peony field and garden will be on your right. Parking is available in the area. This is a nice park. When you are done looking at the flowers, check out the other activities there.
Park website: (
visit link)