Plan A Visit To Sisson’s Peony Gardens. They Put Rosendale On The Map As The Peony Capital Of Wisconsin

Peony gardens in Wisconsin offer some of the best floral landscapes hiding in charming small towns. And if you’re looking for a new hidden gem to add to your bucket list, we’ve got just the one – Sisson’s Peony Gardens in Rosendale. At one time, the beautiful garden boasted more than 2,500 species of peonies, earning Rosendale the title of the peony capital of Wisconsin. Let's take a look at one of the prettiest gardens near me.

The small village of Rosendale (pop. 1,049 now) is probably most known for a strictly enforced 30 mph speed limit.

However, that’s not its only claim to fame.

The town originally gained fame as the peony capital of Wisconsin – and thanks to Sisson’s Peony Gardens, its flower-related past lives on.

It has earned a reputation as one of the best gardens in Wisconsin.

Rosendale’s association with peonies goes back to 1920 when Wilbur Sisson planted a personal peony garden.

The project eventually grew to encompass five acres and boast more than 2,500 species.

At the garden's peak, the beauty attracted thousands of visitors each summer.

Free to visit one of the best Wisconsin peony gardens, it is open for self-guided tours every day while the flowers are in bloom.

In 2005, the Rosendale Historical Society took charge of the garden and made several updates, including the addition of a white picket fence.

A commemorative sign, which provides information about the garden and its history, was also added to the grounds.

The garden still possesses several original features.

For one, a majority of the peonies date back to the original garden.

Of course, new peonies have been added to the garden over the years.

Easily identifiable, the newer blooms feature tags that display their names.

Another feature from the past is the windmill which is situated at the garden’s entrance.

Now a Sisson's signature, the windmill became part of the garden in 1929 and remains unchanged to this day.

Peony gardens in Wisconsin are beautiful. Discover more on the Rosendale Historical Society website. Did you know about this gorgeous space or about Rosendale’s past reputation as the peony capital of Wisconsin? Please tell us about it in the comments below.

If you're searching for a unique gift, find some Peony-related items on Etsy. While in Rosendale, consider driving the approximately 20 miles to Osh Kosh for another pretty site, The Paine Mansion. And for those folks on the road, reserve a room on Booking.com.