Botanical Hudson

The descriptor for the Garden Conservancy's Open Day Program is "Opening America's Best Private Gardens Since 1995." This Saturday, June 7, there is a Garden Conservancy Open Day here in Columbia County, and one of the gardens--one of America's best private gardens--is right here in Hudson: Hudson Hood, at 72 North Third Street. 

This is how the Garden Conservancy describes Hudson Hood:

This urban shot-gun garden is in the middle of a city, centered on a century-old tulip tree and composed of a wide range of topiaries of holly, boxwood, spruce, privet, and heather. The garden transforms into a tall "exotic jungle" in summer, with grasses, rare plants, and native specimens. The garden also contains a "Modernist-inspired" sunken walled garden with square koi pond and collection of contemporary sculptures. The adjoining garden, centered on grid form, contains raised vegetable garden and gravel walks.

Hudson Hood will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Admission to the garden is a mere $5.

If on Saturday you wish to venture out of Hudson to look at gardens, there are two others in Columbia County that will be open that day: Peter Bevacqua and Stephen King's garden in Claverack and the garden of Margaret Roach in Copake Falls, where there will also be a plant sale by Broken Arrow Nursery. Both of these gardens will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and a $5 admission fee will be requested at each one. Consult the Garden Conservancy website for more information and directions to the gardens located beyond our city gates.