Abeel House Prairie

The Abeel House Prairie is four acres of wildflowers and native grasses. It blankets a small holler in a secluded valley next to an eighteenth-century Dutch stone house once owned by David Abeel, an early settler in the Hudson Valley. The owners planted the prairie ten years ago, a decision they regretted almost immediately. Apparently they thought the prairie would be a low-maintenance solution to a brush-covered hillside that was too steep to mow. In hindsight, they say it would've been easier to cut the brush weekly with a pair of hand shears. They learned that establishing and maintaining a wildflower prairie is a nonstop battle against invasives. Today, however, the results are magnificent. The prairie is full of more than two dozen varieties of flowers and grasses. Bordered by a small brook and bisected by a short hiking trail, it is an easy walk. While strolling through the prairie you may hear a noticeable buzz-a collective celebration of bees that visit here for one of the finest dining experiences of their lives.

Open Days 2022: Sunday, August 14
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

REGISTRATION
Registration for this garden opens Wednesday, June 1.

Members $5 per person; General admission $10. Children 12 and under free.