Southern Belles in The North: The Ladies' Border
The Ladies' Border is a fantastic, colorful experiment. Tucked demurely behind the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, this small, protected garden is a place for the gardeners of The New York Botanical Garden to push the limits of what is considered appropriate for New York City's maritime-regulated growing zone.
The southern-facing, 260-foot long Ladies' Border is protected by the Conservatory's bulk on one side, and by a gentle bluff on the other. This creates a warm, protected microclimate in which a variety of delicate "Southern belles" can thrive.
On the Ladies' Border, the current belle of the ball is the charming hardy camellia. Dancing like debutants in the breeze, the frilly flowers grow on beautiful, evergreen trees in colors reminiscent of the most luxurious haute couture frocks: blush pink, elegant ivory, deepest crimson, and luxurious fuchsia.
Camellias, which are native to China, Japan, and Korea, come in two varieties: hardy and non-hardy. In the North, non-hardy camellias can only be grown indoors, under glass. They are tolerant of heat, but not of cold and require constantly moist conditions. Hardy camellias, like those on the Botanical Garden's Ladies' Border have been hybridized for cold tolerance. While they can survive a winter in areas like the Garden's zone 6B, these beautiful shrubs still require protection from wind and exposure and their location within your garden should be considered carefully.
Winter cultivation of camellias is a well-established passion in New York City. Camellias are known to have been cultivated in at least two of the three-known heated greenhouses of the late 18th and early 19th century.
It's not just camellias you'll find on the Ladies' Border though. Plenty of other floral delights await you in this gorgeous garden, designed for four-season enjoyment. Come see the camellias now, then come back in winter to see an equally gorgeous display peaking out from under the snow. Of course, the Ladies' Border bursts into a frothy display of color and fragrance come spring, but why wait?
The Ladies' Border is just steps away from the excitement of the Holiday Train Show and easily accessed through the still stunning, technicolor Perennial Garden. If the Ladies' Border inspires you to do some winter gardening of your own, stop into the beautiful Shop in the Garden for plants, pots, books, and more.