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Pruyn Sanctuary Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden is located at 275 Millwood Road (Route 133), Chappaqua, NY in Westchester County. Pruyn Sanctuary is a demonstration garden within a six-acre native arboretum surrounded by a 92-acre parcel of protected open space. The garden features over 125 types of annual and perennial flowering plants selected to be food or nectar plants for butterflies, honey bees and hummingbirds. A drip pool attracts birds. Over 40 species of butterflies and moths, and three dozen species of birds are drawn to the garden.
The garden is within the four acre Pruyn Arboretum and meadow that has over 40 species of labeled trees and shrubs. A map and plant list of the arboretum is available. The Pruyn Garden is specially designed and maintained as a habitat to attract, nourish and shelter a variety of butterflies and moths, and ruby-throated hummingbirds. The plants are labeled and a plant list is available. The best time to view butterflies and hummingbirds is warm, sunny summer days during midday. Press blue button for more information about Pruyn Sanctuary Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden.
Things To Do Birding (Butterflies, Hummingbirds) Hiking Nature Walks Quiet Views
Van Cortlandt Manor, situated on the banks of the Croton River in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, is a working estate and elegant country house that brings the new nation period vividly to life. The history of the estate is richly documented and the manor house contains primarily original furnishings, which provides an element of authenticity rarely seen in house museums.
A National Historic Landmark, the 18th-century stone manor house is the centerpiece of the property. It features a fine collection of Georgian and Federal period furnishings, many original to Van Cortlandt Manor. Of particular note is an extraordinary kitchen on the ground floor, with original hearth, beehive oven, and extensive collection of cooking equipment and utensils. Also on the grounds is an 18th-century tavern situated on the historic Albany Post Road at the site of a ferry crossing over the Croton River. The tavern showcases an extraordinary collection of vernacular Hudson River Valley furnishings and evokes fascinating tales of travel and transport in the post-revolutionary period.
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Attractions Children's Birthday Party Gardens Guided tours of the house and grounds Stone manor house Tenant farmer's house and tavern
The word is Great fun for the kids and children of all ages, as costumed guides demonstrate and invite visitors to try blacksmithing, brick making, open-hearth cooking and more from the past.
The Hammond Museum was designed by Natalie Hays Hammond who borrowed the basic principles and ideas of the Stroll Garden incorporating indigenous plantings with popular and rare Japanese and Chinese specimens. "As people often travel to escape routine problems and obligations, or to escape themselves, so should they find peace in an unhurried journey through a stroll garden."
"To please the eye, there are the textures of stone scrolled with the delicate designs of lichen, the patterns of tree trunks and clusters of foliage, the play of light and shadow, the varying shades of green as well as the seasonal colors of great beauty. To please the ear, there are the songs of native birds, the hum of insects the chorale of frogs and the occasional splash of carp in the lake, the crunch of pebbles underfoot, the whisper of wind through the pines. To please the sense of scent, there are dry pine needles in the sun, the fragrance of flowering shrubs, a breeze through mimosa or the pungency of loam after a night rain."
Things To Do Birding | Bird Watching Brush Painting Children's Workshops Educational Tours Restaurant Stroll Garden
Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate, is now a historic site of the National Trust. Many believe it is the Hudson Valley's most exceptional house and gardens. Be sure to include this magnificent landmark on any tour of the Historic Hudson Valley.
Completed in 1913 for John D. Rockefeller by architects Delano and Aldrich, Kykuit has been home to four generations of the Rockefeller family. Kykuit commands a breathtaking view of the Hudson River and occupies a landscape of extensive stone terraces, formal gardens, and glorious fountains designed by landscape architect William Welles Bosworth. The gardens include Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller's extraordinary collection of 20th-century sculpture. The house itself contains fascinating collections of art, fine furniture, and Chinese ceramics. Horse-drawn vehicles and classic automobiles from the family's collection fill the coach barn.
Tours include an introduction to each part of Kykuit, the main floor of the house, the art galleries, terraced gardens with classical and 20th-century sculpture, and the Coach Barn with antique carriages and classic cars. The sculpture collection, sited throughout the grounds, includes works by Pablo Picasso, Aristide Maillol, Henry Moore, Alexander Calder, Isamu Noguchi, Louise Nevelson, and many others.
The Greenburgh Nature Center (GNC) is located at 99 Dromore Road, off Central Park Avenue, Scarsdale NY 10583, Westchester County in the Hudson Valley. The Greenburgh Nature Center (GNC) is a 33-acre nature preserve with trails, a pond, an old orchard succession site, and gardens. The property is a significant wildlife habitat refuge, both for indigenous species and for the hundreds of species of migratory birds that use it as a resting place on their spring and fall travels. The property includes 30-acres of woodland, two significant wetland sites, and an old orchard succession site, used as a nesting area for Eastern box turtles.
Parties, Programs and Special Events The Nature Center hosts birthday parties and special programs for groups of all ages on a wide range of environmental topics. We offer numerous outreach and on-site environmental education programs for children, adults, and families. Bring the children; kids of all ages enjoy learning about nature. Press blue button to learn more about the Greenburgh Nature Center.
Things To Do Botanical Exhibits Greenhouse Hands-on Discovery Room Live Animal Museum Maple Sugaring Site
Click to enlarge photo of Lyndhurst from rear grounds.
Circa 1838. Lyndhurst, a historic site of the National Trust, is a preeminent architectural landmark. It resides on a 67-acre park representing 19th century architecture, decorative arts, and landscape. Overlooking the Hudson River in Tarrytown, NY, Lyndhurst is one of America's finest Gothic Revival mansions.
The architectural brilliance of the residence is complemented by a park-like landscape and a comprehensive collection of original decorative arts. Its noteworthy occupants included: former New York City mayor William Paulding, merchant George Merritt, and the railroad magnate and Wall Street tycoon Jay Gould.
In the late 1830s, William Paulding acquired property high above the Hudson River overlooking the Tappan Zee. Lyndhurst was first conceived in the minds of architects A. J. Davis and William Paulding who constructed the country villa in 1838 and called it "Knoll". In 1864 Lyndhurst was acquired by George Merritt who hired Davis to more than double its size. In 1870, they also built one of the largest private greenhouses in the world.
In 1880, Jay Gould purchased the estate and renamed it Lyndhurst. The 1870 greenhouse that burned was replaced in the Gothic Revival style. The Goulds redecorated the house and embellished the spectacular art gallery with works by Corot, Courbet, Bouguereau, and others.
The important "gardenesque" landscape is the work of Ferdinand Mangold, a master gardener who worked at Lyndhurst for forty years. Many of the landscape features created by Mangold, his predecessors, and successors, are preserved. The spectacular specimen trees are of special interest.
The romantic Gothic Revival design immediately drew attention to the building. Critics called it "Paulding's Folly" because its fanciful turrets and asymmetrical outline were unlike most homes constructed in the post-colonial era. Fascination with the property continued for decades and, as ideas of wealth and status changed with the growing nation, so did the estate, reflecting the tastes and interests of wealthy New York.
Walk from Lyndhurst to Washington Irving's Sunnyside Lyndhurst is adjacent to Washington Irving's Sunnyside. The ability to walk between these two historic sites has a special appeal. At present, visitors may walk along the publicly maintained Croton Aqueduct Trail from Lyndhurst to West Sunnyside Lane. Walk the pathway connecting Lyndhurst and Sunnyside along the riverfront. If you are a tourist or local resident exploring the Hudson River Valley, be sure to include this landmark in your list of sights.
Things To Do at Lyndhurst Castle Events at Lyndhurst First Floor of Lyndhurst Castle is handicap accessible* Hiking / Walking Historic Site Lyndhurst to Washington Irving's Sunnside Museum Shop Tour the castle Virtual Tour
Wheelchair Accessible* Accessible indicates that, to the extent practicable, the first floor of the mansion meets the Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards. It is strongly recommended that you contact the facility in advance for a full description of facilities.
Lenoir Preserve Nature Center is a 40-acre nature preserve comprised of woodlands and field habitats. It is situated adjacent to the Old Croton Aqueduct on slopes overlooking the Hudson River, providing spectacular views. The property was formerly home to two Hudson River estates and boasts a number of unusual specimen trees and shrubs, imported from around the world.
Every spring and autumn, bird watchers gather to observe major hawk migrations. Nature enthusiasts can learn about raptor identification markings, such as flight patterns and silhouettes, and can take part in official tracking counts of raptors. In summer, the butterfly garden is at its height, visited by a wide variety of butterflies. Nearby, a dragonfly pond provides the necessary habitat for numerous aquatic insects and attracts birds and other wildlife. An organic community gardening area and composting exhibit instruct visitors on environmentally- friendly practices. The butterfly and hummingbird garden is maintained entirely by volunteers from Hudson River Audubon Society.
Things To Do at Lenoir Preserve Nature Center Birding | Bird Watching Gardening Hiking / Walking Nature Study Programs
Winter Activities Cross-country Skiing
After a day of birding, hiking, nature study, or enjoying the scenic views, eat out at one of the excellent Restaurants in Westchester, NY.
The Beatrix Farrand Garden Association is located at 4097 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538. "Beatrix Farrand was a landscape gardener whose work defined the American taste in gardens throughout the first half of the 20th century. For generations, gardens consisted of tender and annual plants set out each year in elaborately shaped beds cut into lawn. Farrand joined the likes of England's Gertrude Jekyll and William Robinson in championing the use of perennial plants in combinations based upon color harmony, bloom sequence and texture. This was the birth of the mixed border that is standard in gardens today.
"Beatrix Farrand's work represents the very epitome of her craft. As such, she was sought after by the most powerful individuals and institutions of her day. While most of her gardens have been lost to time, notable exceptions include the Rockefeller's Eyrie Garden in Maine, large portions of the Princeton and Yale campuses, and Dumbarton Oaks, in Washington, D.C., indisputably one of the great gardens of the world.
"This rarified context should give present-day visitors to the Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield a better sense of the treasure that lies within its fieldstone walls. Bellefield, an elegant 18th century house remodeled by famed architects McKim, Mead and White for Thomas and Sarah Newbold, now serves as the headquarters for the National Park Service.
"The restoration has resulted in a stunning display of perfectly composed borders - pink; white; blush, cream and grey; and mauve and purple - set off by vine-traced walls and clipped hemlock hedges. Thanks to a recent grant from the Jane W. Nuhn Charitable Trust, a third and final garden gate has been created using Farrand's own working drawings. This magnificent oak door, replete with elaborate Arts & Crafts style hardware, was handmade by local artisans, and is now installed at Bellefield."
The Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield is open to the public free of charge.
Hours are 7 days a week, 7am to sunset. Closed Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years Day.
Press blue button for the complete text on this page and for News, History, Events, Gallery, and more about the Beatrix Farrand Garden Association.
"During the growing season, we can be found working in the garden every Tuesday morning. Please stop by for a visit."
The home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, a National Historic Site, is located at 4097 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park NY 12538, Dutchess County in the Hudson River Valley. Visit the Home of FDR and Presidential Library & Museum to learn about the only President elected to four terms.
"All that is within me cries out to go back to my home on the Hudson River." FDR The above quote captures FDR's connection to Springwood, the estate that he loved and the place he considered home. The first US Presidential Library was started by FDR here.
The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site includes:
FDR's Springwood, the lifelong home of America's only 4-term President
Presidential Library and Museum
Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt's Val-Kill Cottage
Summer Programs for children and their families
Guided tour of FDR's home
Self-guided tour of the Museum, grounds, gardens, and trails of this 300-acre site.
Self-guided tour of the Museum, grounds, gardens, and trails of this 300-acre site. Start your visit at the Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center and watch the introductory film. Arrange for self guided tours of the Presidential Library and Museum, and Ranger-led tours of the historic home. Visit FDR’s Top Cottage retreat, the place he built in 1938 to, "escape the mob" at Springwood. He also brought close friends and political allies here to discuss the state of the world or to simply relax. Designed by FDR to emulate the Dutch colonial architecture found throughout the Hudson River Valley, the structure was planned with accessibility in mind to accommodate his wheelchair and give him greater independence.
Press blue button for schedule of events, fees & reservations, things to do, things to know before visiting, family events, kids section, and more about this National Historic Site.
The word is At least one day is recommended to experience Franklin D. Roosevelt, National Historic Site. Visit Springwood, Top Cottage retreat, and Eleanor Roosevelt's Val-Kill Cottage along with the grounds, the library, family events and more.
Innisfree Garden is located at 362 Tyrell Road, Millbrook NY 12545, Dutchess County in the Hudson Valley. Innisfree is a 150-acre public garden in which the ancient art of Chinese landscape design has been reinterpreted to create, without recourse to imitation, a unique American garden.
At Innisfree the visitor strolls from one three-dimensional picture to another. Streams, waterfalls, terraces, retaining walls, rocks, and plants are used not only to define areas but also to establish tension or motion. The 40-acre lake is glacial, most of the plant material is native, and the rocks have come from the immediate forest.
Press blue button for brochures, photos, and more about Innisfree Garden.
The New Canaan Nature Center is located at 144 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, CT 06840. The New Canaan Nature Center features diverse habitats, including wet and dry meadows and woodlands, two ponds, dense thickets, an old orchard and a cattail marsh. Two miles of trails criss-cross the site that is one of the six largest tracks of open space in New Canaan. Our trails and grounds are open from dawn to dusk and admission is free. In addition to our natural trails, visitors are welcome to enjoy an arboretum and a variety of gardens.
The Animal Care Building houses our live animal teaching collection and a live Birds of Prey exhibit. The Bliss Education Building and Educational Annex house our Beginner's Nature Program as well as classrooms used for Summer Camp, Birthday Parties, Scout programs and many other community, youth and family programs. Also open to the public are a teaching tropical greenhouse, maple syrup shed, Naturalist's Garden, Butterfly Garden, Wildflower Garden and Herb Garden. Press blue button for more about the New Canaan Nature Center.
Things To Do Arboretum and Gardens Birds of Prey Exhibit Greenhouse Hiking Trails Interactive Discovery Room Nature Gift Shop Visitors Center Calendar of Events
The New York Botanical Garden is a National Historic Landmark. The 250-acre grounds of The New York Botanical Garden have some of the most beautiful natural terrain of any botanical garden in the world, including dramatic rock outcroppings, a river and waterfall, rolling hills, ponds, and a 50-acre remnant of the forest that once covered New York City. Among its 50 gardens and plant collections are an outstanding rose garden, perennial garden, and rock garden, as well as superb collections of daylilies, orchids, conifers, and flowering trees.
The Garden is home to the nation's largest Victorian glasshouse, the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, which opened to the public in 1902 and was named a New York City Landmark in 1973. It is home to A World of Plants, a permanent exhibition that includes tropical rain forests, deserts, and the world's most comprehensive collection of palm trees under glass. The Conservatory also houses the Garden's seasonal flowers shows, including the popular Orchid Show and Holiday Train Show.
Founded in 1891, the Garden is one of the world’s great collections of plants, the region’s leading educational center for gardening and horticulture, and an international center for plant research. The Garden is alive with opportunities for discovery, from an "ecotour" of the world in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory to an innovative indoor/outdoor science museum for kids, to 50 exquisite gardens and plant collections.
Things To Do Educational Center Gardens Science Museum for Kids Train Show (Holiday) Victorian Glasshouse Conservatory (NYC Landmark)
Esty & Hellie Stowell Trailhead Storm King Mountain Cornwall-On-Hudson, Orange County Hudson River Valley, New York State
The Esty & Hellie Stowell Trailhead provides access to Storm King Mountain, where Scenic Hudson got its start in the fight to Save the Land that Matters Most.
Esty & Hellie Stowell Trailhead offers 11.2 miles of trails on 1,900-acres and provides access to Storm King State Park with hiking and great views of the Hudson River and Hudson Highlands.
Stowell Trailhead offers hikers a new way to access the spectacular summit of Storm King Mountain. Hikers heading uphill from the Esty and Hellie Stowell Trailhead soon enter Storm King State Park, with miles of trails affording magnificent Hudson Highlands vistas that Scenic Hudson has been protecting since 1963. Storm King Mountain was the stage for the epic fight to stop the development of a massive pump storage hydroelectric facility that gave birth to Scenic Hudson's campaign to Save the Land That Matters Most.
Things To Do Hiking Trails with Hudson Highlands views Scenic Vistas
Directions From Newburgh-Beacon Bridge: 4.5 miles south on Rt. 9W, right on Rt. 218. Trailhead is 1.6 miles on right.
Press blue button for Scenic Hudson, hours of operation, maps, photos and more about Esty & Hellie Stowell Trailhead
Boscobel Hike and Scenic View Boscobel is located at 1601 Route 9D (Bear Mountain Highway), Garrison, NY, 10524 Putnam County in the Hudson Valley. Plan a day trip to Boscobel and go hiking in the Hudson Highlands where you will experience many breathtaking views while absorbing the natural beauty of the landscape. The Boscobel Hike is an easy one mile hike on a woodland trail at Boscobel. Be rewarded with magnificent views of Constitution Marsh and West Point. Grounds pass needed.
The Hudson Highlands includes several state parks and protected areas where you can hike, go on nature walks and enjoy birding. In addition to hiking, several parks offer outdoor activities that will immerse you in the natural wonders of the Hudson Highlands. Find attractions and activities in the Hudson Highlands including boating, skiing, nature walks and birding, and hiking.
Comprehensive List and Directory of Gardens, Nature Centers and Nature Trails in Westchester County and the Hudson River Valley.
Benefits of Gardening
Gardening is a great way to connect with the earth, reduce stress, increase creativity and promote relaxation.
Gardening is Therapeutic
There is even an emerging medical art known as horticultural therapy. People with all types of health conditions, schoolchildren, even
prison inmates, are encouraged to learn about new plants and envision creative ways to arrange them in the ground as a way to
provide a sense of accomplishment and improve self-image.
Gardening Feels Good
Aside from delighting your senses with color, texture and scents, gardening enables you to connect with nature. Digging your hands
through the soil and handling delicate plants can feed the soul.
Gardening is Exercise
Gardening is a low-impact activity that improves flexibility through bending and stretching, and has been shown to lower blood
pressure and cholesterol levels. However, don't let it replace your walking regime or other regular aerobic exercise. Do both, for
maximum benefits.
Wildlife Challenge
The Humane Society of the United States has initiated a Backyard Wildlife Awareness Campaign that will encourage people
to make a few simple commitments that can greatly benefit the earth and the earth’s wildlife. The Humane Society gave us several
resolutions to consider incorporating into our daily lives - like not cutting down dead trees in spring, because small animals and birds
have begun nesting in them. All are easy, common sense ways to be a little gentler with nature.
Whether you are a gardener yourself, or hire professional landscapers and gardeners - you can help ensure the well being of our
environment for ourselves and future generations. We all need to make an effort to keep pesticides and harmful toxins out of our
gardens and away from our property. Not using harmful pesticides will protect our family and pets, as well as protect the natural
wildlife and flaura. If you hire gardeners and landscapers - be sure the Gardener or Landscaper uses "environment" friendly and safe
methods while working on your property.
Let your Lawn grow into a Meadow Letting your lawn grow into a meadow not only cuts down on pollution and the use
of fossil fuels, but it also greatly increases habitat for birds and butterflies and other interesting critters. Even if you only designate a
portion of your property to a meadow - this could be one of the most important commitments you will ever make to planet earth.
Do not compete for the most manicured lawn. Enjoy a beautiful and natural meadow.
"Perfect" lawns are typically sprayed with dangerous pesticides and harm the environment. Pesticides will seep into nearby streams,
lakes, ponds, rivers, etc. Your well water will be contaminated which affects the water we drink and our family's health. You and
your family and your pets are harmed by any dangerous pesticides used on your lawns.
Streams and Ponds Every stream is connected to something else - another stream, a pond, a lake. Trash finds its way
from one to the other, and an array of wildlife along the way can be injured or sickened by it. Visit your local stream or pond and pick
up trash that you find. The results will be felt far downstream.
Leave them wild Make a commitment never to buy a “novelty” wild animal as a pet. It is very difficult to satisfy their
needs in captivity, and that often means an unhappy outcome for all concerned. As cute as a baby turtle may be, it is far better off in
the wild. Take your kids for a walk to the local pond where they can see these and other wildlife where they should be – in the wild.
Go native Use plants that are native to your area. Not only will they thrive better, resist disease and often injury or
attack from plant eating insects and mammals, but they will also require less maintenance, freeing you up to do nothing but enjoy
them.
Save trees In the Spring, try not to cut down hollow trees because squirrels, raccoons, woodpeckers, flying squirrels,
and others are nesting in them. “Dead” trees are anything but; they are thriving habitats for insects and animals who can benefit
people and other wildlife. Keep them standing if possible.
Scrap the trap If you capture and relocate a “nuisance” wild animal in the Spring, it is likely to be a mom, which means
helpless young will be left behind to starve. Instead use eviction strategies to solve wildlife conflicts.
Cut them up Disarm (cut) plastic 6 pack holders before disposal so that wild animals cannot get tangled up, injured or
die in them.
Rinse out food jars Thoroughly rinse and safely discard food jars. Hungry raccoons and skunks can get their heads
stuck in peanut butter, jelly, yogurt or other containers. If you clean the containers before disposing of them, you will literally be
saving lives.
Check for nests Walk your yard and look carefully for rabbit nests before mowing in the spring. The nests can be hard
to see, the mother rabbit digs a shallow hole in the grass and puts her babies in it where they stay for 3 weeks until weaned and
self-sufficient.
Gardening and Flowering Garden Ideas
Some ideas for gardens - using different plants, flowers, and combinations of plants and flowers.
Gardens with long lasting color Try red and yellow blooms of flowers that thrive in this area.
Mix these flowers with blue salvia, with a low border of sweet white alyssum. Your color scheme has the primary colors of red, blue,
and yellow.
Plant Combinations
What makes this plant combination work, is that both the celosia and the salvia have long tall flowers. They compliment each other
and then are offset by the low border of alyssum. Try grouping similar flower types and get a little bold mixing the colors up.
Summer Gardens
Another good summer mix is a combination of summer madness petunias, with dusty miller, and a heavy border of white sweet
alyssum. What makes this color combination great, is that it is using a different base color of gray. The summer madness petunia
has a touch of gray in it that works really well with the gray in the dusty miller. It is eye catching because it is not your usual mix of
summer annuals like marigolds. It has a sophisticated feel, but can be used anywhere, and the white border gives it a finished look. I
tend to put the taller dusty miller towards the back, fill in with the petunias, and finish with the white alyssum. You can try this, or do
something with a different base color. What makes this plant combination work is the drastically different textures. There is enough
difference between the petunias and dusty miller to complement each other, without becoming too much.
Fall and Autumn Gardens
A good fall mixture is to use a combination of Iceland poppies with purple and pink stock, and either a border of lobelia, or alyssum,
or one color of pansies. What makes this color combination work is that it is very soft, and pastel-like. When it is fall, and the days
are getting shorter, all this bright color can look beautiful in your garden.
They are mostly warm colors, so they contrast with the cool temperatures at that time of year.
All these plants are very tall, and have long thin stems. Again, try things with similar growing habits, and then contrast it with
something low. What also looks good with the poppies and stock can even be a border of low mounding grasses that come in gray
and green.
Teddy Bear Sunflowers
One last idea for you to try, is an entire planting of Teddy Bear Sunflowers. The Teddy Bear variety are a dwarf, so they only get a
foot or two tall. This is very eye-catching, and since these, and similar dwarf varieties, can be started from seed, they are very cost
effective.
You can also plant your garden in containers. Try using a few large containers instead of lots and lots of little pots. Numerous pots
tend to look cluttered and haphazard, while a few large containers placed here and there look well planned, and do more to show a
variety of color.
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