Garden Tours in Central New York

Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion

• The Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion is a state historic park located in Canandaigua. The estate consists of 10 gardens, dating back as early as 1902, and several greenhouses, five of which are open to public tours. The gardens represent a variety of styles and themes, with a Japanese garden, a rose garden and an Italian garden, among others. In addition to self-guided tours, employees of the park provide guided tours that highlight the rare aspects of each garden.

  Annual events include the "Moonlight Strolls Music Series," which occurs in July and August. This series takes place in the Moonlight Garden, a small garden with plants that bloom in the evening, and provides guests with an opportunity to enjoy the nighttime garden with wine, refreshments and carriage rides.

  Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion

  151 Charlotte St.

  Canandaigua, NY 14424

  585-394-4922

  sonnenberg.org

Garden Conservancy

• The Garden Conservancy hosts annual Open Day garden tours of private gardens throughout central New York during the summer and fall months. Gardens featured during this tour vary from year to year, and all tours are self-guided.

  In July 2010, three Ithaca area gardens were featured during the Open Day garden tours: the Nancy Ridenour Garden, the Lipari Garden and the Bassuk/Trowbridge Gardens. The Nancy Ridenour Garden includes a large population of lotus flowers and copper and cement sculptures. The Lipari Garden features a wide variety of lilies and shrubs grown entirely from seed. The Bassuk/Trowbridge Gardens covers approximately five acres and includes fruit and vegetable gardens, ponds and natural areas.

  The Garden Conservancy

  11 Old Postal Rd.

  Cold Spring, NY 10516

  845-265-5384

  gardenconservancy.org

Cornell Plantations

• The Cornell Plantations includes more than 4,000 acres of arboretums, gardens and natural areas. Guided tours of the botanical gardens are provided weekly during the months of July and August. During the spring months, various tours are conducted throughout the natural areas and arboretum that highlight the flora and fauna interactions.

  The botanical gardens include 12 separate gardens, each of which features a different theme, like vegetables, herbs and perennials. The arboretum has both native and imported species and covers 150 acres. The native areas, all on protected land, encompass a wide range of ecosystems, including meadows, woodlands and bogs.

  Cornell Plantations

  1 Plantations Rd.

  Ithaca, NY, 14850

  607-255-2400

  cornellplantations.org

Thornden Park Association

• The Thornden Park Association of Syracuse hosts an annual garden tour every June. These tours highlight various gardens in the Syracuse University neighborhood and surrounding areas. Guests are provided with a map of all gardens; the event lasts for approximately three hours.

  Gardens featured on the tour are selected based on their uniqueness, the creativity involved in the garden's layout and floral composition, and the inclusion of regional plants. Guests have the opportunity to speak with each property owner featured on the tour.

  Thornden Park Association

  P.O. Box 6604

  Syracuse, NY 13217

  315-478-5164

  thorndenpark.org