Burpee To Open Doylestown Farm For Rare Glimpse Of Trial Gardens

DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Burpee Company will open its Doylestown gardens and plant trial areas to the public on Saturday, August 15 for a rare behind the scenes glimpse at the magic of Burpee.

Fordhook Farm, the historic home of Burpee Seed, will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the Burpee Open, a free event showcasing Burpee's breeding and trial operations typically not open to the public at 105 New Britain Road in Doylestown Township.

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Established in 1876, the 61-acre Doylestown landmark has played a pivotal role in developing and testing countless plant varieties enjoyed by gardeners around the world. Today, the site still serves as a Burpee trial station for testing new vegetables, flowers and herbs and has added new ornamental gardens and tree collections.

Visitors are invited to take in the beauty and abundance of the farm's extensive Kitchen, Heirloom, Veranda and Happiness gardens in addition to its unique Stumpery featuring shade-loving shrubs, perennials and trees.

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

Everyone who has ever planted a garden knows the name Burpee. The iconic brand has been synonymous with seeds for 200 years. But did you know that the first seeds were cultivated right here in Central Bucks County at Fordhook Farm?

This year's open will feature self-guided garden tours, remarks by Burpee Chairman George Ball, and a look inside farm's recently restored seed house.

Based in Bucks County, Burpee is one of the world's foremost garden, seed, and plant companies. At Fordhook Farm, they breed and trial plants, allowing them to deliver the highest quality products and services to gardeners and other customers, and discover breakthrough varieties in fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

Purchased by founder W. Atlee Burpee's in 1888, the farm is only open to the public once a year during the Burpee Open giving guests a special opportunity to tour the grounds. The Burpee Open brings in thousands of guests each year to explore the spectacular gardens and meet the Burpee horticulture team.

"At the Burpee Open, you can see our beautiful botanical garden through many different lenses," says Burpee Chairman George Ball. "You can see it through the lens of a family and its history. You can see it through the lens of horticulture and American history. And you can see it through the lens of a great gardening company."

Burpee is home to the original 'Iceberg' lettuce (1894), the first white marigold (1976) and the biggest beefsteak tomato ever bred (2014).