It’s not often that two of the most famous gardens in the Hudson Valley will open their doors to the public. On Sunday, June 22, Dappled Berms in Poughkeepsie and Riverhill in Saugerties are both giving garden-lovers a treat for one day only. Both gardens will be open from 10am-4pm. Tickets are $10 for registered guests, or $5 for members of the Garden Conservancy.
Dappled Berms is a private garden built in the 1950s. The scenic tour will let guests meander through the one-acre shade garden, featuring over 480 Hosta cultivars of over 770 specimens. The perennial garden was cultivated over 24 seasons of hobby gardening, all grown under a thick tree cover. The variety of colors and textures in the garden makes the property enthralling. Dappled Berms was also one of only 25 gardens featured in Linda O’Keefe’s influential Inside Outside: A Sourcebook for Inspired Garden Rooms.
Meanwhile, Riverhill is a five-acre property owned by Joe and Tamara DiMattio. It’s planted on a hill that slopes down to a beach on the Hudson River. The hillside is incorporated into the garden itself, with its terraces built into the slopes The garden features sculptures, a koi canal, perennial gardens, potted succulents, and enchanting views of the Hudson. Combining architecture with scenic views and rare plants, the tour will explore each facet of the garden that makes it special.
In addition to tours, the Garden Conservancy is also hosting a discussion on Sunday in Accord from 10am-12pm entitled “Gardening with Birds and Insects in Mind.” The discussion is hosted by seasoned beekeepers and educates the audience on how to garden sustainably. Many gardening practices are destructive to local species like insects and birds, and in a global climate crisis, even local gardeners have to do their work to eliminate harm. Tickets are $30 for Conservancy members and $40 for general audiences.
The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program is what makes these public garden displays possible. Not only does this program make private gardens public, but teaches people about the labor and creativity behind these gardens. It’s as entertaining as it is educational. The Open Days program has shown over 4,500 gardens across America and attracted over 1.5 million guests. It has a full slate of tours scheduled in and out of the Hudson Valley throughout the rest of the summer.
