Heather Garden and Alpine Garden

The park is a fusion of natural and highly landscaped terrain. Nestled amidst wooded slopes and open lawns lie two horticultural destinations: the Heather Garden and the Alpine Garden. Each area showcases flowers and plants that are well adapted to the unique and varied terrain of Fort Tryon Park. The Heather and Alpine Gardens were part of the original Olmsted Brothers design.

The beautiful flowers in Fort Tryon Park enthrall and soothe neighbors, children, students, and naturalists – visitors of every stripe – throughout the year. Our natural treasures include 48 American elm trees, many of which predate the park, and more than 650 varieties of plants, trees, and shrubs. It is repeatedly named as one of the best places to celebrate each season.

Find out what’s in bloom each month using our new visual resource gallery!

flower power plant finder

Take these PDFs with you during your park visits – print or view on mobile.

monthly bloom lists

Enjoy summertime in the garden with Public Garden Designer Ronda M. Brands.

virtual tour of the heather garden

Learn about the pollinators and the plant diversity that supports them with naturalist and author Leslie Day.

virtual workshop of POLLINATORS in THE HEATHER GARDEN

Take a history tour with Public Garden Designer Ronda M. Brands.

85 Years of the heather garden: building on the olmsted brothers legacy