11 Long Island botanical gardens and arboretums to explore

Blooming flowers will surround you as you relax on fields of green, wander into greenhouses and pass ponds at Long Island's botanical gardens and arboretums.

NASSAU

Bailey Arboretum

194 Bayville Rd., Locust Valley

• Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wed.-Sun., year-round. 
• Features: 42 acres, self-guided nature trails, children’s outdoor classroom, and a sensory garden. A collection of trees including dawn redwoods. Flowering trees in spring, annuals and perennials throughout the spring and summer. Offers private events and wedding rentals.
• Fee: Free, donations.
• More info: 516-801-1458, baileyarboretum.org 

Clark Botanic Garden

193 I.U. Willets Rd., Albertson

• Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily April 1-Oct., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily Nov.-March. 
• Features: 12 acres of specialty gardens, roses, day lilies, rock garden, herbs, pollinator garden, conifers. Set among three brook-fed ponds and curving paths with an apiary. Variety of garden-related items, honey and pollen sold in the gift shop. Dogs are not permitted. Summer concert series and a number of special events held throughout the year. Community garden beds and tours available.
• Fee: Free.
• More info: 516-484-2208, clarkbotanic.org 

Hofstra Arboretum

129 Hofstra University, Hempstead

• Hours: Dawn-dusk daily, year-round.
• Features: Spread across the 238-acre campus, with a pinetum and a greenway. A sensory garden features tactile and aromatic plants at wheelchair level. Gothic labyrinth made from 40 feet of circular granite with parterre and knot garden; take a self-guided tour or call for guided group tours. 
• Fee: Free.
• More info: 516-463-6623, hofstra.edu/arboretum

John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden

Dogwood Lane and Oyster Bay Road, Mill Neck

• Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat. and 1 to 5 p.m. Sun., May 2-Nov. 1.
• Features: 7 acres with elements that follow Japanese aesthetic principles, encouraging a contemplative experience. Gravel paths represent streams forming pools and cascading over waterfalls, eventually flowing into the ocean, represented by a pond.
• Fee: Free.
• More info: 516-922-1028, northshorelandalliance.org

Old Westbury Gardens

71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury

• Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily (closed Tue.) April 1-Oct 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. select weekends, Nov. 1-Dec. 20 (check website for more information). Westbury House closes from 1-1:40 p.m. daily.
• Features: The 20th century mansion is surrounded by over 200 acres, including formal gardens like the Walled Garden, rose garden, cottage garden, wooded trails, lakes and sweeping lawns. Cafe in the Woods offers a selection of sandwiches, salads and beverages.
• Fee: $18 (advance purchase currently required), $8 ages 7-17. Additional fees for special events.
• More info: 516-333-0048, oldwestburygardens.org

Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park

1395 Planting Fields Rd., Oyster Bay

• Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (except Christmas Day); Main Greenhouse and Camellia Greenhouse 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, closed Tuesdays.
• Features: 409 acres; 6 miles of trails and 200 acres of landscaped plantings, synoptic garden, rose garden, main greenhouse with orchids, begonias, cactuses and other tropical plants, camellia house. Gift Shop in the visitors center at Coe Hall.
• Fee: $8 per car 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily May 2 through Labor Day, weekends and holidays Sept. 8-Nov. 15, and April 4-26.
• Tours: For hours of operation, events and fees at Coe Hall, visit the website. 
• More info: 516-922-8600, plantingfields.org

SUFFOLK

Bayard Cutting Arboretum

440 Montauk Hwy. (Route 27A), Great River

• Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 10-Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 3-March; closed Mondays
• Features: 691 acres along the Connetquot River. Enjoy birdwatching, nature walks, woodlands and rhododendron gardens. Pets, bicycle riding, picnics, sports, bathing and games are not permitted. Arboretum grounds and Manor House tours available all year except Feb. Hidden Oak Cafe and Manor House overlook the great lawn.
• Fee: $8 parking weekends April 5-Nov. 15, weekdays May 1-Sept. 7. Special events may have additional entrance fees.
• More info: 631-581-1002, bayardcuttingarboretum.com

Bridge Gardens

36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton

• Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 1-Nov. 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1-Feb. 28.
• Features: 5-acre garden with a large herb garden showcasing culinary, medicinal, textile dye and ornamental herbs, perennial beds and borders with native and non-native plants, ornamental shrubs and trees. Expansive vegetable garden, community gardens, numerous educational workshops showcase low-impact, sustainable landscape methods. Programming includes garden tours, garden-to-table demonstrations, summer painting classes and Autumn Open House.
• Fee: Free.
• More info: 631-283-3195, peconiclandtrust.org 

Longhouse Reserve

133 Hands Creek Rd., East Hampton 

• Season: 12:30 to 5 p.m. Wed.-Sun beginning March 21.
• Features: A 16-acre sculpture garden with works by many artists. The garden includes seasonal blooms, established lawns, collections of bamboo and grasses, conifers and broad-leaved evergreens, ornamental borders, a pond, reflecting pool and allées anchored by sculptures. 
• Fee: $20 ages 12 and older. Events, classes, workshops, and programs are offered throughout the summer, including painting classes, tai chi, meditation, talks and lectures, and dance, music, and theatrical performances. Reservations can be made on the website.
• More info: 631-329-3568, longhouse.org

Madoo Conservancy

618 Sagg-Main St., Sagaponack

• Hours: Noon to 4 p.m. Fri.-Sun. through Oct. 10, and noon to 4 p.m. Wed.-Sun. June 24-Sept. 6; by appointment.
• Season: April 18-Oct. 11.
• Features: A 2-acre organic garden created by writer and gardener Robert Dash (1931-2013). Within the property, one can see gardens with American, European and Asian influences. Highlights include an Asian-inspired bridge crossing a pond, an exotic garden and sunken terrace, a yew and mulberry maze, and a potager, a French-style vegetable garden. Two historic houses are found within the landscape.
• Exhibits: Dash's former painting studio, now a gallery, exhibits contemporary art through the season. 
• Fee: Free, reserve visits online. 
• More info: 631-537-8200, madoo.org

Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum

2030 Wellwood Ave., Farmingdale

• Hours: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. March 9-Nov. 2, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 3-March 8. 
• Features: Open and expansive landscape with hundreds of acres of manicured grounds, architecture, flowing bronze fountains and flower-lined public walking trails. This Level II-accredited arboretum is home to Nikko maple, weeping beech and katsura trees as well as memorial gardens. A tour of the 500-acre arboretum aboard an old-fashioned trolley takes place yearly in June. A map of the arboretum can be picked up at the main office building. 
• Fee: Free. 
• More info: 631-249-6100, pinelawn.com