Daily Archives: June 1, 2015

Thursday, June 18, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Exploring Gardens in the Hudson Valley: The Climbery and The Garden at Bellefield

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On Thursday, June 18, take a drive down the Hudson Valley to visit two garden gems that focus on plants. First, tour the Garden at Bellefield, Hyde Park, designed in 1912 by Beatrix Farrand, one of America’s most celebrated landscape designers. Today the garden, pictured below, has been carefully restored, inspired by her landmark work and dedicated to sharing her pioneering legacy. This garden is a perfect example of how Farrand defined the American taste in gardens throughout the first half of the 20th century. She championed the use of perennial plants in combinations based upon color harmony, bloom sequence and texture. This was the birth of the mixed border, a standard in gardens today. A volunteer from the Beatrix Farrand Association will lead the tour of this lovely garden at the height of its June bloom.

From there, travel to the Culinary Institute of America to catch a quick lunch at the Apple Pie Cafe (cost of lunch not included in the fee). On the return, travel to Livingston, NY, to visit The Climbery, the private garden of Barbara Packer. With a focus on plants, specifically the holy grail of vines, clematis, wander through this beautifully landscaped seven-acre property dedicated to over 5,000 clematis—the second largest planted collection of clematis in the world. In addition to the clematis collection, enjoy an exuberant mid-June bloom of peonies, irises and more. Timed for the height of the clematis bloom, view this exceptional collec- tion and learn how to cultivate these winsome beauties.

This Berkshire Botanical Garden sponsored tour is $40 for BBG members, $50 for nonmembers. Participants can choose to carpool or drive separately. Those joining the carpool should meet in the parking lot at Berkshire Botanical Garden for an 8:30 am departure. Time onsite in Hyde Park & Livingston, NY, is 10 am – 3 pm). For directions, and to register, visit http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/event/exploring-gardens-in-the-hudson-valley-the-climbery-and-the-garden-at-bellefield/?instance_id=3365.

Tuesdays, June 2 – June 30, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Evening Garden Strolls

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The Emerald Necklace Conservancy’s popular Evening Garden Strolls begin with a visit to the Kelleher Rose Garden. Tucked behind a yew hedge in the Back Bay Fens is a serene and inviting garden with more than 1,500 roses surrounding a recently restored 1930’s-era fountain and statuary. You’ll walk beneath trellises blanketed with climbing roses (Don’t miss the delightfully scented Mr. Lincoln!) and enjoy the sights and scents of nearly 200 varieties of roses. As an added bonus, you’ll have the opportunity to see (and talk with) rosarians and volunteers in action as they prune, deadhead and tend to the garden. The Stroll continues on to the oldest continuously operating WWII Victory Gardens in America. Covering just over 7 acres, the 500 gardens are an eclectic mix of flowers, herbs and vegetables, each one offering a style and design all its own. You’ll follow meandering paths that pass by everything from Japanese-inspired gardens to a chef’s array of herbs and edibles.

The Strolls are led by Conservancy Docents who share the fascinating stories of these special places. You’ll learn about a very special rose that resides in the Kelleher and why Victory gardeners still occasionally dig up bricks in their spaces. The Strolls begin at 6 pm on June 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, starting at the Kelleher Rose Garden in the Back Bay Fens. Free.