Top 10 Gardens to Visit this Summer

Date Published: July 16, 2019

1. Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield, Hyde Park

Beatrix Farrand, one of America's first female landscape architects, created these enclosed formal gardens in 1912. The garden is well known for its lush perennial borders composed of Farrand's signature plants in a sophisticated color scheme, and is set off by vine-traced walls and clipped hemlock hedges. Walk through the arched wooden door with wrought iron hinges into sunny beauty. Free admission. Open every day from 7am until dusk. Located at the National Park Service headquarters on Rt. 9, Hyde Park. More info: www.beatrixfarrandgardenhydepark.org

2. Innisfree Garden, Millbrook 

A 150-acre public garden in which the ancient art of Chinese landscape design has been reinterpreted to create. Visitors enjoy the many streams, waterfalls, terraces, retaining walls, rocks, and plants. The 40-acre lake is glacial, most of the plant material is native, and the rocks have come from the immediate forest. Located on 362 Tyrrel Rd., Millbrook. More info: www.InnisfreeGarden.org

3. Italian Gardens at Vanderbilt Mansion, Hyde Park

The Frederick W. Vanderbilt Garden Association was formed in 1984 with a mission to restore the Italian Gardens as closely as possible to their appearance in the 1930s. More than 100 volunteers have put in over 100,000 hours to restore the gardens. Beautifully characterized by a reflecting pool, terraces, pergola and loggia, with three levels of annuals, perennials and roses. Free admission. Grounds are open everyday from sunrise to sunset. More info: www.vanderbiltgarden.org

4. Mount Gulian Gardens, Beacon

Managed by an escaped slave for 40 years in the 1800's, and is now restored. A gift of yuccas, roses, and peonies, all descending from the original 1804 plants, was made to Mount Gulian Historic Site. When visiting, be sure to sit on the stone bench near the pergola draped with Catawba and Isabella grapes. Tours of the house, barn and gardens available from May – October, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 1-5pm, $8 for adults. Located at 145 Sterling St., Beacon. More info: www.mountgulian.org/garden.html

5. Rose Garden at Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, Hyde Park

Garden features annuals and 28 different varieties of fragrant, colorful roses. Burial site of FDR & Eleanor Roosevelt and their faithful dogs. Open from dawn until dusk. Located on Rt. 9, Hyde Park. More info: www.nps.gov/hofr

6. Wethersfield Estate and Gardens, Amenia

Ten acres of formal gardens are modeled after 17th-century Italian villas. Stroll the cutting garden, arborvitae alley and naiad (nymph) fountain, peacock walk, rose garden, and a number of water gardens. Sweeping views of the Clove Valley. Open June – September, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12-5pm. Wander freely on a self-guided or audio tour around the gardens. $5 per person. Free for children ages 12 and under. Located on 214 Pugsley Hill Road, Amenia. More info: www.wethersfieldgarden.org

7. Locust Grove, Samuel Morse Historic Site, Poughkeepsie

Victorian-style garden and an heirloom vegetable garden with trails through the surrounding woods. Located on 2683 South Rd., Poughkeepsie. Free admission to the grounds and walking trails. More info: www.lgny.org

8. Madam Brett Homestead, Beacon

A restored Dutch garden around a 1709 home, the oldest in Dutchess County. Located on 50 Van Nydeck Ave., Beacon. More info: https://www.hudsonrivervalley.com/sites/Madam-Brett-Homestead-/details

9. Vassar College Arboretum and Shakespeare Garden, Poughkeepsie 

In 1916, the Shakespeare Garden was planted to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. The garden includes many of the plants mentioned in his works. Garden features statuary, knot, rose, heather, and heath beds. Located on 124 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie. More info: www.vassar.edu

10. Millbrook Tribute Gardens, Millbrook

Six-acre garden includes children's playground and is easily walkable from main area in a Millbrook. Located on Franklin Ave., Millbrook.