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.
