Burpee Open Draws Record Crowd For Day Of Floral Beauty In Bucks

DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — A record crowd turned out on Saturday for a summer walk through the flowering gardens at Burpee's Fordhook Farm.

The event - the Burpee Open - invited guests inside the farm's gates for a behind-the-scenes peek into the magic of the Burpee gardens. The farm on New Britain Road is where the Bucks County-based company breeds and trials plants.

Standing on a stump inside the farm's Stumpery, landscaper Jerry Fritz spoke about the world's largest stumpery populated with shade-loving shrubs, perennials, moss and trees.

Over in the kitchen garden, farm employees fielded questions about gardening, including one asked by Patch inquiring what happens to the vegetables grown at the gardens. It turns out they are harvested and taken to Burpee's Warminster headquarters where they are distributed to the employees who are asked for their feedback.

The 69-acre farm once encompassed 896 acres, including the site of today's Delaware Valley University, Doylestown Hospital, Central Bucks West High School and the YMCA. The farm is home to thousands of trees, tens of thousands of shrubs and millions of perennials.

Enjoy this photo essay by Jeff Werner.

The Burpee Store offered a wide selection of seed packets. (Photos by Jeff Werner)