Butterflies and Blooms at Hershey Gardens

When you think of the quaint town of Hershey, chocolate and amusement park rides likely come to mind, but what you may not know is that Hershey is also home to a 23-acre botanical display garden which touts 3,500 rose bushes, 11 themed gardens, including a  Children's Garden, and the newest installation, The Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory, which features a Butterfly Atrium that is enjoyed by visitors year round.

The Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory at Hershey Gardens opened in July, 2016.

The idea, of course, sprang from the mind of no other than Milton S. Hershey himself, who, when approached to sponsor a national rosarium in Washington, D.C., decided instead to bring the idea home to his local community.

Hershey's intent to create a "nice garden of roses,' began simply enough, with 3.5 acres opening to the public in 1937. In typical Hershey fashion however, the project expanded exponentially over the years.

A fountain flows just beyond the Conservatory.

Hershey Gardens features an impressive display of 3,500 roses comprised of 175 different varieties.

One wonders if Hershey's employees might have placed bets on whether his humble ideas would always end up expanding into projects that would dwarf the initial plans.

Today the Gardens span 23-acres, with 3,500 roses of 175 varieties stealing the show. Eleven additional themed gardens add to the impressive and colorful array. Among them are an herb garden, a nut grove featuring dozens of trees, an ornamental grass garden, a Japanese Garden, a children's garden and  a perennial garden featuring flowers that bloom according to the season, from tulips and daffodils in the spring, to sunflowers and daisies in the summer, to chrysanthemums in the fall.

I felt like returning with a book; I wonder if that's permitted.

A butterfly bench for visitors to rest in between touring.

A group of  bright, cheery sunflowers. Daisies and coneflowers bloom in the summer.

The Butterfly Atrium