5 Enchanting Garden Displays to Explore—Plus Easy Ideas to Bring Their Magic Home

Summer is the perfect season to wander through magical outdoor spaces, where blooms burst in vibrant hues and creative installations turn gardens into whimsical wonderlands. Whether you’re craving a fairy-tale escape, an art-inspired adventure, or a peaceful retreat, these five enchanting garden displays across the country promise unforgettable moments. Better yet, each one is packed with clever ideas you can adapt to your own yard—turning summer inspiration into year-round garden magic. Read on to discover where to explore and how to steal their charm.

1. Trolls at Filoli (California)

What it is: Wander the oak-shaded groves of Filoli, and you’ll stumble upon six larger-than-life trolls that feel straight out of a fairy tale. Crafted by Danish artist Thomas Dambo from reclaimed wood, each gentle giant boasts a distinct personality—paired with a quiet message about environmental stewardship. After your whimsical woodland stroll, don’t miss Filoli’s legendary formal gardens, where manicured hedges and vibrant blooms offer a stunning contrast to the trolls’ rustic charm.

Ideas to steal: Replicating Dambo’s supersized trolls at home might be a feat, but his work reminds us that small, joyful accents make a garden sing. Tuck a hand-carved wooden statue or a weathered stone figurine among your plants for a touch of whimsy. For an even dreamier vibe, add moss-draped decor—think moss-covered planters or a tiny moss garden—to channel that enchanted-wood feel.

2. Van Gogh at New York Botanical Garden

What it is: Vincent van Gogh’s vivid brushstrokes bloom into life at the New York Botanical Garden’s “Van Gogh’s Flowers” exhibition. Contemporary artists have reimagined the master’s floral paintings as immersive botanical installations, turning his iconic works into tangible landscapes. Highlights include a sea of sculptural sunflowers that mimic his bold, swirling style and a series of columns that deconstruct his famous iris paintings into a striking, three-dimensional display. After sunset, the magic shifts to the sky: a dazzling drone show reinterprets *Starry Night* for a 21st-century audience, blending art and technology under the stars.

Ideas to steal: This exhibit will make you crave more than just a single sunflower or iris—plant a dense cluster of either (or both!) for that dramatic, Van Gogh-worthy impact. We’re also obsessed with the exhibit’s dreamy reflecting pools, which amplify the beauty of the blooms. Bring that serene energy home with a small water feature: a tabletop fountain, a shallow birdbath, or even a decorative basin filled with water and floating flowers.

3. Gardens of Renewal at Madison Square Park (Manhattan)

What it is: Landscape designer Lily Kwong has transformed Manhattan’s bustling Madison Square Park into a peaceful green sanctuary with her “Gardens of Renewal” installation. Designed as a haven for calm, the space features two distinct areas: a winding spiral path lined with pollinator-friendly plants (where every step feels like a slow, meditative journey) and a lawn with playful, undulating terrain and curious plantings that invite visitors to lean in and explore the natural world. Throughout the summer, meditation and botanical art workshops deepen the connection between nature and well-being.

Ideas to steal: You don’t need a huge yard for a meditative garden—even a gently curving path (lined with lavender, coneflowers, or other pollinator favorites) will encourage slow, mindful walks. Kwong’s focus on plants that support bees, butterflies, and birds is also a powerful reminder: gardening for wildlife doesn’t just help the planet—it adds movement and life to your space. Swap a few non-native plants for local pollinator-friendly varieties to create your own small “renewal garden.”

4. Alice's Wonderland at Atlanta Botanical Garden

What it is: Lewis Carroll’s surreal, whimsical world comes to life at the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” exhibit. Across seven installations, 38 intricate topiaries and planted sculptures bring the story’s most beloved moments to life: Alice spinning amid a tea party of foliage, the grinning Cheshire Cat carved from hedges, the Queen’s chess set rendered in plants, and the harried White Rabbit dashing through the blooms. Every corner feels like a page turned from the book, inviting visitors of all ages to step into the fantasy.

Ideas to steal: Channel Alice’s curiosity by playing with shape in your own garden. You don’t need professional skills to try topiary—start small with a boxwood shrub trimmed into a ball, or tend to a tiny bonsai for a dose of whimsy. Even shaping a potted ivy into a spiral or a heart will add that storybook charm to your patio or yard.

5. Jungle Quest at Phipps Conservatory (Pennsylvania)

What it is: For plant lovers, Phipps Conservatory’s “Jungle Quest” is as magical as Disneyland—an explosion of tropical color, lush foliage, and playful topiary animals spread across multiple glasshouse spaces. Highlights include a flock of flamingos crafted from vibrant pink begonias and a pair of majestic elephants nestled among the conservatory’s dense jungle plantings. The air hums with the energy of exotic blooms and rustling leaves, transporting visitors to a far-flung tropical paradise.

Ideas to steal: Tropical plants like cannas, begonias, and elephant’s ears have an inherent whimsy that instantly elevates any garden. Even if you live in a cooler climate, you can enjoy them as annuals in containers during the warmer months—place them on your porch or patio for an instant jungle vibe. For a truly immersive feel, plant a climbing vine (like mandevilla or clematis) on a pergola or archway to create a leafy canopy that mimics the tropical understory.

5 Enchanting Garden Displays to Explore—Plus Easy Ideas to Bring Their Magic Home

1. Trolls at Filoli (California)

2. Van Gogh at New York Botanical Garden

3. Gardens of Renewal at Madison Square Park (Manhattan)

4. Alice's Wonderland at Atlanta Botanical Garden

5. Jungle Quest at Phipps Conservatory (Pennsylvania)

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