The Planting Fields Arboretum

Welcome!

The Planting Fields is one of my favourite places to visit. Because I live within 10 minutes of it, I often go there for nothing more exciting than sitting and reading a book under a tree. In fact, the main reason why I finally decided to publish a website was to be able to showcase some pictures I took of the estate. I hope you like them, and as an added bonus I am including the guide description of the Planting Fields. So.. sit back, relax and enjoy being able to travel to one of NY's most beautiful estates!

History

Planting Fields Arboretum, listed on the National Register of Historic Districts since 1979, was the home of William Robertson Coe from 1913 to 1955. It is now administered by the Long Island Region of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and has recently been renamed Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park. The Arboretum encompasses 409 acres, 160 acres of gardens and plant collections and 40 acres, where native, tropical, and sub-tropical plants are cultivated under controlled temperatures and atmospheric conditions.

Soon after purchasing the property in 1913, Mr. Coe's appreciation for rare and unusual plants led him to the well-known landscape architects, Olmsted Brothers of Brookline, Mass. As a result of their combined skills, the estate was gradually transformed into a horticultual showplace. In 1949, Planting Fields was deeded to the people of the State of New York. The terms of the deed were that the property should be used for educational purposes, primarily in horticulture. Mr. Coe remained in residence, a witness to the transition, until his death in 1955. Since that time, many different gardens, as well as numerous facilities for education and entertainment have been developed. Planting Fields Today offers a spectacular display of trees and shrubs, many imported from Europe and Asia. The sweeping lawns, boast majestic beech and linden trees as well as cedar, fir, elm, tulip, oak and magnolia. Perhaps the finest plant collection of Planting Fields consists of the over 600 different species and hybrids of rhododendroms and azaleas. The month of May is spectacular when these plants are in the peak of their bloom.

Other major plant collections include the hollies, maples, magnolias, and ornamental grasses as well as specialized gardens such as the Heather, Rose and Dwarf Conifer Gardens, Conifer Trail, and the five acre Synoptic Garden. Showy beds of daffodils and other spring flowering bulbs are planted along the drives and throughout the gardens. Coe Hall, the Coe's former country home is an outstanding example of the Gold Coast era built between 1918 and 1921; the 65-room Tudor Revival mansion reflects the style of architecture popular during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

The Greenhouses

The Main Greenhouse features many unique plant collections. Bougainvillea and allamanda climb the arches and bromeliads flank the entryway.

There are seperate areas for cacti and succulents, orchids, begonias, and ferns, all of which provide flowers and foliage in endless variety. Ever-changing displays in the main conservatory reflect the seasons; poinsettias and cyclamen for the winter holidays, followed by spring perennials, Easter lilies, summer annuals, and fall chrysanthemums. In addition to the seasonal displays, the main conservatory houses economic plants as well as the large and showy hibiscus shrubs, part of the original Coe collection.

Not far from the Coe Hall stands the newly renovated Camellia Greenhouse. While the outdoor plant world is sleeping in the arms of winter, Planting Fields' camellia collection, the oldest and largest of its kind grown under glass is wide awake. A truly magnificent display, beginning in January, may be enjoyed throughout February and March.

The Coe's desire that the Arboretum become a center of leaning is being fulfilled. Educational exhibits are displayed in the Arboretum Center. A herbarium of over 10,000 pressed specimens is available for study and identification. The Planting Fields Horticultural Library offers a wide selection of books on all phases of gardening.

Well, I hope you enjoyed my tribute to the Planting Fields estate. As you can see, the owners not only gifted themselves with the creation and preservation of this beautiful manor and it's gardens, they gifted all who would choose to seek it. :)

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Write me e-mail at naiad@banet.net

And let's all take a moment to thank my mom for buying me a scanner for my 21st birthday!

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