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Top 10 Gardens to Visit this Summer

  1. Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield
    Beatrix Farrand, one of America's first female landscape architects, created these enclosed formal gardens in 1912. Located at the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, the Beatrix Farrand Garden 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.
  2. Innisfree Garden
    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. Open May-Oct. 216, Wed.-Fri., 10am-4pm $6 admission; Sat.-Sun., 11am-5pm $8 admission. Located on 362 Tyrrel Rd., Millbrook. (845) 677-8000. www.InnisfreeGarden.org
  3. Italian Gardens at Vanderbilt Mansion
    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 3 levels of annuals, perennials and roses. Free admission. 9am-dusk. Located on Rt 9, Hyde Park. (845) 229-6432. www.vanderbiltgarden.org
  4. Mount Gulian Gardens
    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. Located at 145 Sterling St., Beacon. (845) 831-8172. Tours of the house, barn and gardens available from May – October, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 1-5pm, $8 for adults. www.mountgulian.org/garden.html
  5. Rose Garden at Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
    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. (845) 229-9115. www.nps.gov/hofr
  6. Wethersfield Estate and Gardens
    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-Sept., Wed., Fri., Sat., noon-5pm, garden tours by advanced reservation only, $12 per adult. Located on 214 Pugsley Hill Road, Amenia. (845) 373-8037. www.wethersfieldgarden.org
  7. Locust Grove, Samuel Morse Historic Site
    Victorian-style garden and an heirloom vegetable garden with trails through the surrounding woods. Located on 2683 South Rd., Poughkeepsie. (845) 454-4500. Open daily from 10am-5pm. Free admission to the grounds and walking trails. www.lgny.org
  8. Madam Brett Homestead
    A restored Dutch garden around a 1709 home, the oldest in Dutchess County. Located on 50 Van Nydeck Ave., Beacon. (845) 831-6533. https://www.hudsonrivervalley.com/sites/Madam-Brett-Homestead-/details
  9. Vassar College Arboretum and Shakespeare Garden
    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. (845) 437-5686. www.vassar.edu
  10. Millbrook Tribute Gardens, Inc.
    Six-acre garden includes children's playground. Located on Franklin Ave., Millbrook. (845) 677-0642.
     
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