The Essex County Presby Memorial Iris Gardens are now in bloom.
MONTCLAIR -- New Jersey's got some fine foliage.
Each spring, throngs of people head to Newark to check out the country's largest collection of cherry blossoms (yes, bigger than the one in the nation's capital).
But, this month, the Essex County Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in Montclair has the plant collection all the bees are buzzing about.
The spot has the largest public iris garden in the Unites States. It includes about 14,000 plants in 1,500 iris varieties that produce more than 100,000 blooms.
"The Presby Memorial Iris Gardens is recognized internationally for their horticultural and historical significance," County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo said in a release about the blooms. "Our unique public-private partnership preserves and protects this New Jersey treasure."
For the garden's 89th season, garden staff put together a 'Rainbow of the Hill' display of bearded iris. The collection, which is considered a "living museum of botanical preservation" and contains iris varieties that date back to the 1500s, is on the national register of historic sites.
"The Presby Memorial Iris Gardens welcomes spring with its landmark display of blooms," Nancy Skjei-Lawes, Board President of the Citizens Committee of the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens, said in the release.
"We hope visitors and convention goers will enjoy the blooms and delight in our honey bee yard."
The gardens are free to visit, and open through bloom season, which is expected to last until June 3. See a full list of special events here.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.