74 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • MAY 2018
THE A LIST: May Flowers at LI
Botanical Gardens
NAME LOCATION PRICE NOTES
1 Avalon Park
200 Harbor Rd.,
Stony Brook.
avalonparkandpreserve.org
Free
Created by the Paul Simons Foundation with the goal of sharing Simons’ deep love
of the outdoors, this captivating park is filled with gardens, trails along the pond, a
labyrinth, a rustic barn among the wildflower fields, and winding upper trails. Don’t
feed the ducks and keep your dog on-leash when visiting.
2 Bailey
Arboretum
194 Bayville Rd.,
Lattingtown,
baileyarboretum.org
Free
This dog-friendly 42-acre arboretum is situated on the estate of renowned
horticulturist and philanthropist Frank Bailey. Community and educational
programs are offered throughout the year. Bailey Arboretum provides well-marked
trails, gardens and the freedom to stroll the beautiful grounds.
3
Bayard
Cutting
Arboretum
440 Montauk
Hwy., Great River,
bayardcuttingarboretum.com
$8 parking
This arboretum offers guided tours of the grounds and manor house, offers
educational programs and runs a Community-supported Agriculture program. It’s
also home to the Hidden Oak Café. No dogs allowed.
4 Bridge
Gardens
36 Mitchell Ln.,
Bridgehampton.
peconiclandtrust.org
Free
A five-acre gem in the heart of Bridgehampton, Bridge Gardens is a unique public
and demonstration garden with mysterious hedgerows, a wide variety of perennial
and annual flowers and shrubs, and a unique four-quadrant herb garden featuring
culinary, medicinal, ornamental, and textile/dye plants.
5 Clark Botanic
Garden
193 I. U. Willets Rd.,
Albertson, clarkbotanic.org
Voluntary
donation
This 12-acre living museum and educational facility is dedicated to understanding
and appreciating the world’s plant life through horticulture, education and research.
Collections at the garden include native spring wildflowers, conifers, roses,
perennials, daylilies, wetland plants, rock garden plants, herbs, butterfly plants,
medicinal plants and more than a dozen collections of particular plant families.
6
Hofstra
Grounds and
Arboretum
Hofstra University,
Hempstead Tpke.,
Hempstead. hofstra.edu
Free
Late winter and spring bloom inspires students and visitors all year round. The 240-
acre campus received official recognition as an arboretum in 1985 with Hofstra’s
membership in the prestigious American Public Gardens Association, and is one
of only 430 arboreta in the United States. Today, more than 12,000 evergreen and
deciduous trees represent 625 species and varieties, and the number is increasing
every year.
7 LIU Post
Arboretum
720 Northern Blvd.,
Brookville. liu.edu Free
There are few restrictions other than asking visitors to take care not to damage any
plants or trees. Visitors can download the map online or stop by the information
desk at Hillwood Commons and pick up a map to follow a self-guided tour. The trail
is wheelchair accessible. No dogs allowed.
8 LongHouse
Reserve
133 Hands Creek Rd., East
Hampton longhouse.org $10-$15
LongHouse Reserve is a museum, garden and a sculpture park, to be appreciated in
a contemplative manner. Bring your cell phones as you walk the gardens to access
highlights narrated by Jack Lenor Larsen. No dogs allowed.
9 The Madoo
Conservancy
618 Sagg Main St.,
Sagaponack. madoo.org Free
The Madoo Conservancy is dedicated to the study, preservation, and enhancement
of Madoo, the ever changing, horticulturally diverse garden with historic structures
established in 1967 by artist, gardener, and writer Robert Dash. No dogs allowed.
10 Old Westbury
Gardens
71 Old Westbury
Rd., Old Westbury.
oldwestburygardens.org
$7-$12
Westbury Gardens offers guided tours of Westbury House and Gardens, in-depth
tours of the formal gardens, programs and events, museum exhibits, classic car
shows, concerts, horticultural demonstrations and workshops, gardening classes,
and more.
11
Planting
Fields
Arboretum
1395 Planting Fields Rd.,
Oyster Bay. plantingfields.org $8 parking
Rolling lawns, formal gardens, hiking trails and specimen plantings, as well as the
Camellia Greenhouse and the Main Greenhouse, with its unique seasonal displays,
are a treat for visitors year round. No dogs allowed.
12
Robert F.
Ench
Teaching
Gardens
Farmingdale State College,
2350 Broadhollow Rd.,
Farmingdale. farmingdale.edu
Free
In an area greater than four acres, a series of theme gardens, or “garden rooms,” have
been developing since the 1930s. Beyond the Annual Beds is the Rose Garden, and
enter into the Beech Hedge Garden, now a Gray or “Ghost Garden.” Or, walk to the
left into the Dwarf Conifer Collection, or to the right, behind the grove of weeping
higan cherries into the Joan Bisset Memorial Garden.
– Compiled by Timothy Bolger
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