Gardens in San Jose
The Gardens are located high above Milpitas in the East Bay hills. They have more than 170 peony varieties and over 160 Tall Bearded Iris varieties currently under cultivation.
Overfelt Gardens is a 33 acre park that includes picnic areas, benches for viewing wildlife, restrooms, a fountain, a fragrance garden, one lake and two ponds, and a California Native Plant and Wildlife Sanctuary. The southeast section of the park includes the Chinese Cultural Garden, commemorating Sun Yat Sen, Chiang Kai shek, Confucius, and Chinese culture in general, including a large black stone, mined and shipped from the Republic of China.
The Heritage Rose Botannical Garden is a unique collection of 3,700 antique and modern roses. Established in 1995 through an extensive community effort, the garden contains more varieties than any other rose garden in the western hemisphere. Docent led tours for prescheduled groups can be arranged.
The Friendship Garden is a six acre garden patterned after Japans famous Korakuen Garden in Okayama (one of San Joses sister cities). The three main ponds were stocked with koi sent from Okayama in 1966. The ponds are at different elevations in the park, and are interconnected by streams.
Overfelt Gardens is a 33 acre park that includes picnic areas, benches for viewing wildlife, restrooms, a fountain, a fragrance garden, one lake and two ponds, and a California Native Plant and Wildlife Sanctuary. The southeast section of the park includes the Chinese Cultural Garden. The lake and ponds are habitat for birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and fish.
Behind the museum is about two blocks square of gardens that include roses and other flowers as well as fountains and sculptures.
This 5.5 acre Rose Garden has large beds of about 190 varieties of mostly modern roses. It was established in the mid 1930s. Enjoy colorful, showy blooms throughout the April to November season. A favorite time to visit though is early May when the acres of fragrant, majestic roses are at their most beautiful stage.