Picturesque Peonies In Bloom At Seneca Creek State Park

The month of May is peak peony season, and a state park just a short car ride from D.C. has a variety of these beautiful flowers just waiting to be gazed upon.

Maryland’s Seneca Creek State Park features the picturesque peonies in bloom in both a stunning cultivated garden — known as the Schwartz Peony Garden — and a fabulous field where visitors can wander, enjoy the sights, and take Instagram-worthy photos.

Volunteer Ranger Bonnie told Secret D.C. that the garden’s peonies are expected to last another 1-to-2 weeks, while the field may last 2-to-3 weeks. Visitors who come to the park on Sunday, May 29 at 1:00 p.m. can hear a park naturalist give a talk about Seneca’s peonies and answer questions.

While visiting the peony garden, a number of “beautiful birds” may also catch your eye, with bluebirds and indigo buntings commonly seen inhabiting the garden. In fact, Seneca Creek State Park has 18 bluebird nestboxes, which typically produce between 140 and 150 baby bluebirds each year!

If the peonies and wildlife weren’t enough to entice you, the park also boards a number of beautiful blossoming trees, such as Dogwood trees, Mountain Laurels, Tulip Trees, and a wild native azalea known as the Pinxter.

Weekday visits to the park are free, though on weekends and holidays there is a $3 per person entrance fee, or $5 for those from out of state.

To learn more, visit the park’s website.

Location: 11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, MD., 20878