Presby Memorial Iris Gardens
An outdoor living collection turns Montclair’s spring bloom into a close-looking lesson in iris form and variety.
Artwork inspired by George Inness
Presby is a specialist garden, and that focus is its strength. Rows of named irises let visitors compare color, ruffled or plain petals, height, and the subtle differences that disappear in a mixed border. A slow pass through one section is more satisfying than a race for the broadest photograph.
The celebrated bloom is brief, usually around mid-May through early June, and weather shifts its peak. The Walther House has narrower staffed hours than the outdoor garden and requires stairs. Admission is free, but donations support the collection. This is not a place to promise flowers in every season; check the garden’s current bloom report before planning a long drive.
- Specialty
- Irises
- Peak
- Late spring
- Entry
- Free, donation welcome
Quick guide
- Check the bloom
- Peak changes with spring weather.
- Compare varieties
- Read names and notice petal form, not just color.
Know before you go
- Look closely
- Compare beards, falls, and standards.
- See a sequence
- Early and late varieties overlap imperfectly.
- Protect beds
- Stay on paths and do not cut blooms.
- Plan facilities
- No official public bathrooms are provided.
Good to know
The visual payoff is highly seasonal and there are no official public bathrooms. Walther House access is limited by stairs and shorter hours than the garden.
Notice these
- Named iris rows
- Spring color
- Walther House