Gardeners Prepare for Arboretum Drive-About Tour, July 26

A day of Nature’s Treasures to Remember!

SCHOHARIE COUNTY, NY (07/06/2008)(readMedia)--

Capital Region gardeners and visiting day-trippers can expect a very special drive-about to four exquisite gardens on Saturday, July 26, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. These gardens are located in a convenient circuit throughout the lush and rolling hillsides of Jefferson, Summit, and Cobleskill area. Start or end at the Landis Arboretum. $10 per person. Register with the Arboretum to receive a map. 518-875-6935, info@landisarboretum.org.

"What a wonderful day to enjoy the beauty of the countryside and these wonderful gardens," says Arboretum Trustee Anne Donnelly (Cobleskill). "Many registrants intend to carpool, share the cost of gas, and spend a relaxing day in the country with friends and other garden lovers." Ms. Donnelly is co-chairing the event with Gina Nielsen, a resident of Glenville -- longtime Arboretum supporter and member of its Education Committee. Marcie S. Reiff (rhymes with life), Delanson, NY, is providing design and logistical support and Vicki Hazzard of Cherry Valley is coordinating registration and garden coordination. Print and production services by Miller Printing, Amsterdam. NY.

CAROLE AND ROBERT OLSEN Homestead, 1102 Westkill Road, Jefferson, NY 12093

This amazing property on more than two deer-proofed acres features multiple gardens created by the Olsens. Stroll along the pond path to find large Cimicifuga and Rodgersia. A clematis-clad porch, surrounded by scented thyme and other steppables (tough plants you can step on), commands a wonderful view of the many gardens. Carole and Bob keep a detailed database cataloging over 600 different species of botanical treasures such as daylilies, Salvia spp., Oriental and Asiatic lilies, Buddleia, roses, clematis, phlox and seldom seen trees such as Stewartia are expected to be on bloom. The tour will be hosted by Carole and Bob, both avid garden partners, and Arboretum stalwarts who have created this inviting masterpiece.

ROSMAN GARDENS, 1136 Enid Road, Summit, New York, (518) 287-1701

Joanne and Andy Rosman own and operate Rosman Gardens, a private botanical garden in the woods. It is home to a diverse collection of native plants and rare woodland wonders, a large collection of ornamental grasses, English Garden perennials, and over 200 roses. Many plant varieties are available for purchase. There are garden rooms and patios throughout, with winding pathways that lead to wonderful surprises. The tour will be guided by Joanne Rosman, who is a Garden Designer, nationally published garden writer and photographer, master gardener, and ARS Certified rose expert. Rosman Gardens has been featured in Woman's Day Magazine - Gardening & Deck Design, and American Rose Magazine.

SWALLOW HILL FLOWER FARM, Route 10, PO Box 59, Summit, NY, 518-287-1361

Swallow Hill Flower Farm is a beautiful place to visit with many different types of gardens; an exquisite alpine garden, tree lined shade garden with numerous varieties of hosta, Astilbe, Tiarella, brunnera and Lamium, and of course fields of dayliles. Their specialty is daylilies and they grow over 300 different cultivars in various colors and shapes. They have a special gift shop with hand crafted gifts from local artisans. This tour will be hosted by Nancie and Bryan Bidwell who will also hand-dig your selections from their field grown perennials.

SUNY Cobleskill, Curtiss Mott Hall

Terry Forsyth, well-known educator at SUNY Cobleskill, invites you to visit these "teaching" gardens at SUNY Cobleskill. He'll be ready to answer your questions as you wander through these greenroom facilities used by the SUNY Cobleskill faculty and students in the Herbaceous Plants classes. He has optimized the gardens formal classroom style layout to present as s many different plant species as possible. You'll marvel at the extensive collection of labeled plants, native species, introduced / exotic species, perennials, annuals, and ornamental grasses.

THE LANDIS ARBORETUM: MULTIFACETED, NATURAL JEWEL.

Long a destination of choice among Capital District gardeners, environmentalists, nature lovers, hikers, perambulists, and birders, the Landis Arboretum may be one of the best-kept secrets among Capital Region residents.

The Landis Arboretum includes a nationally recognized collection of oaks and is registered with the North American Plant Collections Consortium (NAPCC). The Arboretum also is included in the New York State Route 20 Bluebird Trail, bringing even more birdwatchers to the site. The Arboretum's vast dark sky and wide horizons attract area astronomers to its meeting house and parking field for sky-watching events

The Arboretum is central to the New York State Wine and Spa Trails and in close proximity to historic Sharon Springs. And, it is a natural stop for those traveling to the high-volume tourist attractions between the Albany, Cooperstown, and Finger Lakes Regions.

For more information about the Landis Arboretum and Adventures in Schoharie County:

* The Landis Arboretum may well be the northern Catskill Region's best-kept secret. With centuries of history and the riveting beauty inherent in the Arboretum's world-class, global collections, generations of extraordinary plantings continue to impart their secrets to its visitors. http://www.catskillregionguide.com/articles/article.php?id=995

* Spectacular Beauty? Sustainable Fun? A Schoharie County Weekend! By "Schoharie Buzz"

http://www.catskillmtn.org/publications/articles/2008-05-spectacular-beauty-sustainable-fun.html

* 365 days a year - from dawn to dusk http://www.didyouweekend.com/weekend/ : Where Mother Nature hits her high notes - every day of the year!

The Landis Arboretum is located 1.5 miles off Scenic designated Route 20 in Esperance, NY, a beautiful and easy drive from within the Capital Region. For more information, call 518-875-6935; www.LandisArboretum.org.

-30-