Nature can make you happy. Here's how Utica can help

Teresa Evans

Nature makes you happier.

According to the National Park Service, just five minutes walking in nature improves mood, self-esteem, and relaxation.

Now is a great time to visit the Parker F. Scripture Botanical Gardens. Come enjoy Mother Nature’s best color as the plants reach prime time bloom.

Located at 121 Second Street, just off Judd Road in Oriskany, the Parker F. Scripture Botanical Gardens surround the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County.

The community/educational gardens are open for viewing daily from dawn to dusk and are free of charge to the public.
The community/educational gardens are open for viewing daily from dawn to dusk and are free of charge to the public.

Here are few of the highlights:

  • All America Selections Trial Garden: All-America Selections is an independent non-profit organization that tests new, never-before-sold varieties for home gardeners.

  • Butterfly House with Monarch and Swallowtail butterflies. Learn about butterflies from the educational displays. Watch the butterflies flutter around and enjoy the annuals and perennials planted just for them.

  • Children’s Garden: All sorts of displays to give young gardeners an opportunity to enjoy their time in the garden. One highlight is a Music Wall. This provides great fun for all ages.

  • Daylily Garden: We have over 100 different daylilies in a wide range of colors.

  • Perennial Garden: View a mixed planting border providing great for ideas for your own gardens. This area includes a water feature and a Fairy Garden.

  • Rose Garden: Walk along the recently renovated trellised path and take time to smell the different varieties.

  • Vegetable Garden: View Cornell Vegetable Varieties with a European theme 2024 garden a statewide Master Gardener project.

The community/educational gardens are open for viewing daily from dawn to dusk and are free of charge to the public.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County answers home and garden questions which can be emailed to homeandgarden@cornell.edu or call 315-736-3394, press 1 and ext. 333. Questions are answered weekdays, 8am to 4pm. Also, visit our website at http://cceoneida.com

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Utica gardens can help with happiness: Gardening column

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