Parks of Monmouth County - Deep Cut Gardens

Welcome to the initial installment of a new series - Parks of Monmouth County. I will publish a new park on the 1^st day of each month; the posts will spotlight the beauty of the parks and share some of my favorite trails or attractions at each. I am writing this on a rainy April afternoon and the rhyme "April showers bring May flowers" popped into my head. I thought, since this is going to be published in May then maybe it should be about flowers. In my mind there is no better park for flowers than Deep Cut Gardens in Middletown, New Jersey.

For a full list of the series, with links, check out the "Parks of Monmouth County" page.

Tulips at Deep Cut Gardens

I made my first trip to the park in 2012 and have been back a number of times since. The tulip bed shown here is one of the first images I made there and I didn't even have to leave the parking lot! This was taken in April 2012 and all of the tulips were in full bloom - this is the main tulip bed but they can also be found in other areas of the park and the median strip in the parking lot. It doesn't matter when you go to the park because this flower bed always has something to see, depending on what is in season. Below is a similar image of the same flower bed but taken in August 2014.

Daisies at Deep Cut Gardens

If you walk past this bed and around the corner you will find the Koi Pond where you can sit on a bench, admiring the fish and flowers planted around the walkway. Continue past the pond to the Visitor Center; stop in and say hello to the staff - they are very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. They can help you identify something you saw in the park (although everything is usually well labeled) or fill you in on any interesting "visitors" there may have been - deer or hawks, for instance.

 

When you leave the Visitor Center continue your journey to the Rose Parterre - you will be glad you did. The panorama at the top of the page shows the entire parterre; it is even more beautiful in-person. When the roses are in bloom it is so colorful and fragrant you may never want to leave. Take a leisurely stroll through the garden, taking in the beauty. Each plant is identified so that you know exactly what you are looking at. I guarantee you will see a variety of rose that you never knew existed. There are benches on either side or you can go sit in the shade of the gazebo before continuing. Don't make the mistake that flowers are the only things to see; this tree is just a few short yards from the parking lot, just before the koi pond. It is just one of many throughout the park. You will find these trees along either side of the walk/stairs leading from the Visitor Center to the Rose Parterre. Park benches can be found under the trees, many of which have a small pond next to them. These benches make wonderful resting spots - you are out of the sun and can see a world of beauty spread out below you.

While walking make sure to keep an eye out for the fauna that take up residence in the park. My wife and I found this little guy while walking along one of the wooded paths. You will also find chipmunks, squirrels and deer to name but a few. Look up to the sky and you are bound to see a red-tailed hawk circling overhead, I don’t think I have been to the park yet where I haven’t seen at least one. Birders would do well to bring their binoculars, too.

I think this is a good place to end the words and leave you with a few more images from my trips. I hope you will put Deep Cut Gardens on your “to-do” list and visit at least once.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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