Gardens and arboretums to visit this spring on Long Island
Explore the flora at the Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay. Credit: David Almeida
With the onset of spring comes the opportunity to bask in scenic landscapes and plenty of sunshine. Here are six spots to pay a visit to once the flora begins to bloom and the weather heats up:
Planting Fields Arboretum State Park
Cait Henning of Huntington, with her daughter Grace, inside the Main Greenhouse at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Oyster Bay’s Planting Fields Arboretum State Park will host a number of events this spring, including two focused on Decisive Moments at Planting Fields: The Photography of Mattie Edwards Hewitt and Frances Benjamin Johnston, an exhibit dedicated to the work of two American female landscape photographers that is on display at Coe Hall, the mansion at Planting Fields. Visitors can attend Decisive Moments: Lunch & Lecture, with Borough of Manhattan Community College professor Bettina Berch, on March 25, which will focus on the life and work of photographer Frances Benjamin Johnston, and Decisive Moments: Tintype Portraits, with photographer Jolene Lupo, on April 15, where guests can have their own tintype portrait taken following a tour of the exhibit. There will also be a spring 5K on April 22, Arbor Day Festival on April 29-30 and an AAPI Festival on May 13 in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Upon visiting Planting Fields this spring, expect to see magnolias, azaleas, cherry and dogwood trees in bloom.
HOURS 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily
ADMISSION $8 per vehicle; $40 per person for the Bettina Berch lecture; $50 per person for the Jolene Lupo lecture.
INFO 1395 Planting Fields Rd., Oyster Bay; 516-922-9210, plantingfields.org
Bailey Arboretum
Walking paths at Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River. Credit: Danielle Silverman
Situated on 42 acres in Locust Valley, Bailey Arboretum consists of a newly renovated sensory garden, a Children’s Habitat play area, garden beds, two human-made ponds and marked woodland trails. The arboretum is named after its founder, horticulturist and philanthropist Frank Bailey.
HOURS 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday
ADMISSION Parking and admission to the grounds are free for 2023 season
INFO 194 Bayville Rd., Locust Valley; 516-801-1458, baileyarboretum.org
Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum
Find a 500-acre arboretum at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale.
Bronze statue fountains, manicured grounds and a variety of architectural monuments are just the start of what you'll find at Pinelawn's arboretum. This year's event schedule includes a lineup of events that celebrate the importance of insects, from ladybugs to honey bees. Events on the roster also include outdoor yoga classes, including sunset yoga and yoga under the stars, and an old-fashioned trolley tour of the 500-acre arboretum. New this year includes a jazz under the stars event, where families can listen to live music under string and candle lights. During the Lantern Lighting Celebration, visitors can personalize their own floating lanterns with messages to loved ones. Upcoming events: Morning flow yoga (June 4), arboretum tour (June 11), yoga under the stars (June 23), ladybug release (Aug. 6), lantern lighting celebration (Aug. 20) and honey bee experience (Sept. 10).
ADMISSION Events are free and open to the public
INFO 2030 Wellwood Ave., Farmingdale; 631-249-6100, /pinelawn.com/arboretum
Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park
Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River. Credit: Danielle Silverman
Every spring, over 100,000 daffodils bloom on the great lawn of Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park in Great River. This year, the arboretum’s Arbor Day Celebration (free with $8 parking fee) will be held on April 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and its Farm School program for preschool-aged children (ages 2-5) will run from April 20 through June 8, every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 12 to 1 p.m. ($25 per child per class). A visitor center and parking lot are being developed and are expected to be completed by spring 2024.
HOURS 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
ADMISSION $8 per vehicle. Seniors 62 and older can park for free during the week (from Tuesday through Friday, excluding holidays) by scanning their license at the pay station.
INFO 440 Montauk Highway, Great River; 631-581-1002, bayardcuttingarboretum.com
Clark Botanic Garden
Visitors enjoy a spring day at Clark Botanical Garden in Albertson. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa
Founded in 1969, Clark Botanic Garden in Albertson will soon be home to a plethora of in-bloom flowers, including forsythia, flowering quince, hellebores, magnolias and tulips. Spring events include an annual plant sale on May 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and May 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with houseplants, hanging baskets, herbs, annuals, unusual trees, shrubs and perennials for sale. The sale will also feature an art show and jewelry sale with local artisans.The Clark Coffee Cafe will sell cakes, muffins, cookies along with hot coffee, tea and cold beverages.
HOURS 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily
ADMISSION Parking and admission to the grounds are free
INFO 193 I. U. Willets Rd., Albertson; 516-484-2208, clarkbotanic.org
John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden
The John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden in Mill Neck. Credit: North Shore Land Alliance/North Shore Land Alliance
On May 6, the 7-acre garden John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden in Mill Neck will celebrate its opening day, which will include Shakuhachi flute music and Japanese refreshments, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the event is free and open to the public. Features include a tea house, stone water basin, pond, stone lanterns and steppingstones.
HOURS 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, beginning May 6.
ADMISSION Parking and admission to the grounds are free; donations accepted
INFO 3 Dogwood Ln., Locust Valley; 516-922-1028, northshorelandalliance.org
The Madoo Conservancy
The gardens at the Madoo Conservancy in Sagaponack. Credit: Mary Elizabeth Andriotis
Located in Sagaponack, the Madoo Conservancy in Sagaponack is worth the drive out east, as this 2-acre garden features an array of perennials, shrubs and rare specimen trees throughout. Standout elements include a violet gazebo, a vibrant blue garden gate and an eye-catching yellow door and accompanying arch. One historic structure on the property is a barn from circa 1740, which is now used as an exhibition and special event space. This spring, exhibits centered around the works of abstract artist Elizabeth Hazan and figurative painter Dan McLeary will be on display. Hazan's work features abstracted landscape paintings. The show runs April 1 (by appointment through April 15) to May 6, Friday and Saturday noon to 4 p.m. Some of McLeary's work features small-scale paintings of flowers in vases and fruit. McLeary's show runs May 13 to June 24. There will also be a topiary workshop with British topiary artist Darren Lerigo, on May 5.
HOURS noon to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, from April 15 to June 3; noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from June 7 to Sept. 6.
ADMISSION Parking and admission to the grounds are free; donations accepted
INFO 618 Sagg Main St., Sagaponack; 631-537-8200, madoo.org
