Grayhaven Motel
657 Elmira Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
Spanning our historic property in Ithaca’s Inlet Valley, the gardens at Grayhaven Motel are a labor of love cultivated over nearly a decade of thoughtful land stewardship. Designed as a living bridge between host and habitat, our grounds feature expanding acres of native perennial beds, drought-tolerant plantings, and naturalized trail networks. Guests and neighbors are invited to visit the property and explore our garden beds.
We actively manage our landscape to support Finger Lakes biodiversity, gradually phasing out introduced species in favor of keystone natives like Bee Balm (Monarda), Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis), Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius), Serviceberry (Amelanchier), and native meadow grasses like Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii). From spring-blooming Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) and Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) to late-season Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) and winter-enduring Winterberry (Ilex verticillata), our beds provide year-round forage, nesting habitat, and shelter for local bees, butterflies, and birds.