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| Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park |
Come along on a summertime virtual tour of Bayard Cutting Arboretum, a beautiful 691 acre state park located on the south shore of Long Island, New York, about 50 miles east of New York City and bordering the Connetquot River. The park includes numerous theme gardens and continues to evolve yearly as new species of rare and unusual plants are donated. Bayard Cutting Arboretum is also the home of one of the most extensive conifer collections in the region, housing over 1600 specimens.
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| Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park Manor House |
The landscape architectural firm of Frederick Law Olmsted designed the grounds for William Bayard Cutting, attorney, financier, real estate developer, sugar beet refiner and philanthropist in 1886. The 68 room mansion, called Westbrook, was designed by architect Charles C. Haight for William, his wife and four children as a summer home. After William's death, the mansion and grounds were donated by Olivia Cutting and daughter in memory of William to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which declared the land as a state park in 1912.
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| Dwarf Conifer Garden |
Alongside the mansion is the Dwarf Conifer Garden, with an assortment of evergreens including Dwarf Norway Spruce, Hinoki Cypress, Mugo Pine and rare selections such as Weeping Arizona Cypress and Gold Rush Dawn Redwood. The collection displays a huge diversity of conifers that have been sourced from across the country. Many native species such as Eastern Red Cedar, Pitch Pine, Eastern White Pine and Bald Cypress also reside in the gardens.
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| New Pinetum: Lilac Tree |
There are many paths to take leading to the various collections. Along the New Pinetum, the Lilac tree is in bloom...
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| River Walk |
and the River Walk along the Connetquot River is so relaxing, especially when there is a gentle breeze.
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| Conifer Garden |
Always an amazing sight are the enormous seed cones on Norway Spruce during the summer months. The female cones are red, while the male ones are brown.
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| Woodland Garden |
For a relaxing walk, stroll down the paths of the Woodland garden and travel the wooden bridge over a babbling brook. There you can explore giant Hosta and ferns, which are indeed happy in their environment.
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| Woodland Garden |
Here is another view.
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| Woodland Garden: Liquidambar styraciflua 'Variegata' (Variegated Sweet Gum) |
On the path, one will come across this glorious Variegated Sweet Gum, which displays leaves that look almost prehistoric in nature.
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| Woodland Garden-Hosta Curly Fries |
Hosta 'Curly Fries' lives up to its name with crinkled narrow golden foliage. Hardy in USDA zones 3-9, it stays small at just about six inches tall by sixteen inches wide.
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| Woodland Garden |
In the woodland garden is a combination of Hellebores, Hosta and Astilbe, with ferns in the backdrop.
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| Woodland Garden |
More ferns along with golden Hosta also make for a nice look!
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| Woodland Garden: Calla Lily |
Here is White Giant Calla Lily, which is being grown in the woodland garden. It is borderline here (hardy in USDA zones 7-9), but can be possibly overwintered in a sheltered area. At three feet high by wide, its blooms are gorgeous! In cooler climates, these rhizomes can be easily dug up and stored in dry peat moss. Keep in a dry, dark location that is no cooler than 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
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| Woodland Garden |
This groundcover really caught my eye and I had not been familiar with it. It is called Houttuynia, also known as fish mint, rainbow plant or chameleon plant and although it is pretty, it is an aggressive groundcover and should be used carefully! It is hardy in USDA zones 4-10, prefers medium to wet soil and produces these showy flowers in summer. .JPG) |
| Mahonia (Oregon Grape Holly) |
Welcome to the Holly Walk and view various types of holly, including Oregon Grape Holly, Nellie Stevens Holly, Steeds Holly, and Winter Bounty among others.  |
| Holly Walk |
Coming around the Holly Walk, you will come across this more formal garden with manicured circular yew hedges...
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| Holly Walk |
and blooms of Nepeta and Coreopsis.
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| Southern Magnolia |
This Southern Magnolia is gorgeous when all in bloom and the huge flowers are all so fragrant!
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| Four Season Garden |
Last, but not at all least, is the Four Season Garden, which happens to be my favorite! An accumulation of plants perfectly positioned along a winding path provide blooms and interest for every season of the year. There are benches along the way for stopping and taking in the view.
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| Four Season Garden |
This garden is simply so inviting...and constantly changing.
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| Four Season Garden |
On the way out, a surprise was to be seen. An Osprey's nest along with Osprey overlooked the park as it appeared way up high on the mansion's chimney. It is so nice to see this protected species thriving here on Long Island.
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Osprey Nest
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I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden and tour of Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! Bayard operating hours are 9-5 Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays and winter holidays. For some views of Bayard in the fall, visit Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park Autumn. To visit their website, go to Bayard Cutting Arboretum. For gardening information visit: My Author Page and Books
As Always...Happy Gardening!😊
Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2022. All rights reserved.
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