Visitors to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum first encounter the picturesque courtyard. The garden is now draped with 20-foot hanging nasturtium vines, a plethora of spring bulbs, maples, azaleas, and blue cineraria, as well as many varieties of Cymbidium orchids.

Stewart designed her museum around the flowering garden to show her personal love for flowers. According to the museum, the gardeners design, cultivate, and present six displays showcasing seasonal flowers and greenery annually. In April, 8-foot-long nasturtiums are hung from the balconies in honor of Stewart’s birthday: April 14, 1840.

During May, the courtyard will display hydrangeas, Martha Washington geraniums, Cape primrose, and tree ferns.