Helen Avalynne Tawes Garden
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Maryland — 6-acre botanical garden on the grounds of the Maryland DNR headquarters in Annapolis — showcases all of Maryland’s ecological regions from the Allegheny Plateau to the Atlantic Coastal Plain in one compact walk. Named for the wife of Governor J. Millard Tawes.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Maryland |
About Tawes Garden
Helen Avalynne Tawes Garden in Annapolis showcases Maryland’s diverse ecosystems in a 5-acre garden adjacent to the Department of Natural Resources headquarters. The garden includes representations of the Eastern Shore, Western Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain — demonstrating that Maryland, despite its small size, contains more ecological diversity per square mile than nearly any other state. Each section features native plants from that region.
Things to Do
Walking through five themed ecosystem gardens, identifying native Maryland plants, attending garden events, connecting to Maryland DNR resources, and exploring Annapolis — the colonial capital and sailing capital of America.
History & Ecology
Named for the wife of Governor J. Millard Tawes (1959-1967), the garden serves as a living classroom for Maryland’s ecological diversity. The Western Maryland Mountain Garden features hemlocks and rhododendrons; the Piedmont section showcases native hardwoods; the Coastal Plain area includes live oaks; and the Eastern Shore garden features salt-tolerant species. Free admission year-round. Adjacent to the Maryland State Archives.
Plan Your Visit
The garden is free and open daily. Self-guided tour brochures are available at the entrance. Adjacent to the Maryland DNR headquarters, Tawes Garden represents all five Maryland ecological regions in just 5 acres. The Maryland State House (oldest state capitol still in continuous use, 1772) is a 10-minute walk. Historic Annapolis and the City Dock waterfront provide dining and shopping. US Naval Academy tours depart from the visitor center.
Insider Tips
Maryland in miniature: The Tawes Garden in Annapolis showcases all of Maryland’s ecosystems — Eastern Shore, Piedmont, Western Mountains, and Coastal Plain — in a 5-acre garden. Pro tip: Annapolis is one of America’s most charming colonial cities — the State House (1772) is the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use. Naval Academy: The US Naval Academy has trained officers here since 1845.
Best Time to Visit
Spring: Garden in peak bloom. Summer: Full garden displays. Fall: Autumn color. Year-round: Free admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ecosystems does Maryland have?
Maryland packs remarkable ecological diversity into a small area — from the Appalachian Mountains (3,360 ft) in the west, through the Piedmont Plateau, to the Coastal Plain and Atlantic beaches. The Chesapeake Bay bisects the state. Maryland contains oak-hickory forests, tidal marshes, mountain bogs, and barrier islands — more ecosystem diversity per square mile than almost any other state.
