CCE Demonstration Garden Tours

Come and visit THE GARDENS at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County which are designed as demonstration gardens to educate the community in horticulture and science.The gardens are dedicated to the memory of all former Master Gardener Volunteers.

The combined gardens consist of 20 distinctly designed gardens including a Shade Garden, a Native and Pollinator Garden, a Shrub Garden, a Grass Garden, a Knot Garden, Gazebo Garden, and a Children’s Garden.

The gardens begin with the Floral Demonstration Garden that is along the front of the Cornell Cooperative Extension building.The color scheme and design changes from year to year to demonstrate the varied looks that can be achieved in the same space.Other color scheme gardens include the White Garden and the Blue & White Garden.The Cottage Garden contains a variety of perennials and annuals. The goal in this garden is to create an ever changing floral display throughout the growing season.The Autumn Garden’s main attraction is provided by plants that exhibit great Fall color, texture, seedpods and late season bloom.This garden does contain an ever-blooming rose, bulbs, and perennials to be attractive all during the season.The Low Maintenance Garden showcases a growing movement in contemporary horticulture.It features plants that are drought, pest and disease resistant.The Key Garden models the concept of succession planting and the Mahonia Garden highlights an unusual shrub, the Mahonia (Oregon Grape Holly).

We also have a Vegetable Trial Garden and a Culinary Herb Garden. The Vegetable Garden is used to trial annual and perennial vegetable varieties for Cornell University Research to determine germination rate, disease resistance, growth habit, vegetable and fruit production while showcasing gardening techniques that can be used by home gardeners.

THE GARDENS are open to the public dawn to dusk.On Thursday mornings during the growing season, you will find our Master Gardeners working in the gardens.They will be happy to show you around and answer any questions you may have or you may want to schedule a guided group tour.

Last updated April 29, 2022