Entering a garden is a tranquil experience on so many levels. The Hudson Valley offers much in the way of natural beauty, but it also has beautifully crafted gardens to connect us with nature and uplift the spirits, invigorating all ages.
The plentiful options for day trips to both public and private gardens can take you on an excursion of delight throughout the season.
Ulster County Gardens:
Mohonk Mountain House Gardens — Since the land was purchased in 1869, gardening has been a cornerstone of this gorgeous historic hotel. Since then, Mohonk has expanded its award-winning gardens, which reflect French and Italian influences but focus mainly on mid-19th century English landscaping. Founder Albert K. Smiley's original designs have been maintained as the gardens have matured and evolved. They offer glimpses of the past, allowing guests to enjoy large masses of flowering summer annuals and magnificent vistas and views. Entrance fees apply. 1000 Mountain Rest Road, New Paltz; 845-255-1000; mohonk.com
Mohonk Mountain House Annual Garden Tour — Garden enthusiasts will delight as they embark on a two-hour walking tour of the formal flower gardens, annual and perennial beds, and greenhouse. Walks are guided by a master gardener and/or a member of Mohonk’s landscape and garden staff. Enjoy the beauty of Mohonk’s gardens this August while gaining insight into how they are created and maintained. Details are yet to be determined. For more information, please call Master Gardener Coordinator Dona Crawford at 845-340-3990, extension 335. Registration form available at cceulster.org
Mountain Top Arboretum — This arboretum offers three leisurely, self-guided botanical strolls. Enjoy a large, grassy wildflower meadow amidst prehistoric bedrock. Rest at a pond and gazebo to take in the tranquility of the surrounding scenery. Admire seasonal blooms at The Woodland, East Meadow, and Black Spruce Glen that offer the beauty of mountain laurels, deciduous azaleas, ferns, wildflowers, fall asters, and so much more amid the magnificent beauty of beech, oak, and pine trees. Route 23C and Maude Adams Road, Tannersville; 518-589-3903; mtarbor.org
Rondout Valley Garden Tour — A full-day, self-guided exploration to experience the area's most lovely private gardens and horticultural attractions. Tickets are on sale the day of the event from 9:30-12:00 at the tour’s three starting locations: Davenport Farms, 3411 Rt. 209, Stone Ridge; Saunderskill Farms, 5100 Rt. 209, Accord; Victoria Gardens, Corner of Rt. 213 & Cottekill Rd., Rosendale. Ticket price includes complimentary morning coffee and a donut, access to all private gardens and other sites featured on the tour, admission to the post-tour reception at Arrowood Farms and a complimentary beer or wine taste. Held on Saturday June 18th. Advanced tickets and tickets the day of tour are available. For further information, contact Vickie Coyne at 845-658-9007 or victoriagardens.biz
Dutchess County Gardens:
Mount Gulian Gardens & Historic Site — A restored garden originally managed for four decades in the 1800’s by an escaped slave. The gift of yuccas, roses, and peonies, all descending from the original 1804 plants, was made to Mount Gulian Historic Site. When visiting make sure to sit on the stone bench near the pergola draped with Catawba and Isabella grapes. Free but donations accepted. 145 Sterling Street, Beacon; 845-831-8172; mountgulian.org/garden.html
Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield — Nestled inside the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site are the enclosed gardens of Bellefield. Dating to the 18th century, this is now the on-site headquarters of the National Park Service. The modest but charming garden was designed in 1912 by Beatrix Farrand, (Edith Wharton’s niece), who was famed as the first woman architect and a renowned landscape architect. Farrand not only created gardens for the Rockefellers, the Morgans, and Edith Wilson at the White House but also pioneered the con-cept of “garden room,” complete with mixed floral borders and arched oak doors with black Arts and Crafts-style hardware. One can also enjoy the garden from the terrace that offers tables and chairs for a rest or for those who may not be able to travel well on foot. 4097 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park; 845-229-9115, ext. 2023; beatrixfarrandgardenhydepark.org
Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site Rose Garden — This site promises you a rose garden deliciously featuring a self-guided tour through an abundance of annuals and 28 different varieties of aromatic, colorful roses. 4097 Albany Post Road (Route 9), Hyde Park; 845-229-9115; NPS.gov/hofr
Innisfree Garden — Named for Yeat's Irish Isle of Peace, this garden is a picturesque interpretation of ancient Chinese and Japanese design within a 185-acre site surrounded by cliffs, waterfalls, streams, and a large glacial lake. A meandering path renders a series of hidden gardens that borders on imposing rock formations and water sculptures. Named one of America’s best by the National Geographic Guide to America's Public Gardens, Innisfree is a hidden jewel at the end of a long country lane near the village of Millbrook. 362 Tyrrel Road, Millbrook; 845-677-8000; innisfreegarden.org
Locust Grove Gardens at Samuel Morse Historic Site — Stately trees, rolling hills, and picturesque views enhance the natural landscape garden. The main perennial garden is said to be a “one-of-a-kind garden in the Hudson Valley.” The estate also features an heirloom vegetable garden reflecting a long history of self-sufficiency. Free; donations accepted. South Road, Poughkeepsie; 845-454-4500; lgny.org
Mary Flagler Cary Arboretum — Also known as the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, this site features one of the largest collections of perennials in the Northeast with 4,500-plus colorful varieties. Enjoy the walking trails, such as the Cary Pines Trail, a path through open spaces, thickets, and pine and hemlock forests. The Fern Glen features a boardwalk through a habitat of more than 150 species of trees, ferns, and wildflowers; the Sedge Meadow Trail and Wappinger Creek Trail focus on red maples and marsh plants. 2801 Sharon Turnpike (US Route 44), Millbrook; 845-677-5343; ecostudies.org
Gardens at Olana — Delightful old carriage trails graciously guide guests to the gardens of Hudson Valley School artist Frederic Edwin Church. Situated 500 feet above the Hudson, the bucolic views are breathtaking as you reach the home-bordering gardens first planted in 1880. Experience the scattering of old roses, peonies, cosmos, bee balm, nasturtiums, dahlias and sweet alyssum on gracefully sloping meadows carpeted with wildflowers that bloom from early spring through autumn. Route 9G, Hudson; 518-828-0135; olana.org
Montgomery Place — Marvel at 434 acres of gardens, commercial orchards, historic forest, and spellbinding vistas, reflecting the privileged life of Hudson Valley aristocracy from the beginning of the nineteenth century to the present. Stroll through the rough garden, the rose garden, and the herb garden, and end by viewing the A.J. Downing landscape overlooking the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains. Open on weekends May to October from 10am to 5pm; $5. Route 9G, Annandale-on-Hudson; 845-758-5461; hudsonvalley.org/montgomeryplace
Vanderbilt Mansion Italian Gardens — Terraced gardens cover three acres with trellises, pools, a loggia, and brick walls. Maintained in its original design, the grounds boast an abundance of rare species as well as perennial favorites. The lush rose garden has nearly 2,000 rose bushes and the stately trees are not to be missed. Route 9, Hyde Park. 845-229-6432 or 845-229-9115; nps.gov/vama
Vassar College Arboretum and Shakespeare Garden — Planted in 1916, the Shakespeare Garden was created to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare and includes many of the plants mentioned in his works. Experience the statuary, knot, rose, heather, and heath beds with a guided tour. Free with pre-registration. 124 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie. 845-437-5686 or rebecca@hvga.org
Wethersfield Estate and Gardens — A country gentleman’s estate consisting of over 1,400 acres, with more than 10 acres devoted to formal gardens. A pleasurable stroll will take you through the cutting garden, the Arborvitae Allee with the Naiad (nymph) Fountain, the peacock walk, the rose garden, and several water gardens, plus the bonus of weeping views of the Clove Valley. 214 Pugsley Hill Road, Amenia; 845-373-8037; vintagehudsonvalley.com
Orange County Gardens:
Storm King Art Center — The 500 acres of fields and woodlands provide a dramatic setting for over 120 works of contemporary sculpture, and garden aficionados will delight at the acres of native grasses and wildflowers, farmed grassland, maple and oak allées, and Storm King Wavefield, a seven acre earthwork by Maya Lin. Bounded by preserved viewshed, Storm King is home to works by artists such as David Smith, Alexander Calder, Mark di Suvero, Alexander Liberman, Alice Aycock, Louise Nevelson, and Henry Moore. 1 Museum Road, New Windsor; 845-534-3115; stormkingartcenter.org
Orange County Arboretum — 35 acres of professionally planned and planted hillsides ramble with indigenous trees, a Shakespeare Garden, water garden, raised gardens, and meandering groomed paths that provide a feast for the eye. 41 Grove Street (off Route 416), Montgomery; 845-615-3830; orangecountynyparks.com
