Ed. note: We offer many classes here at the Garden in a plethora of disciplines and at many levels, from “just for fun” to professional (see a pdf of the catalog here). But no matter how appealing the subject, the classes would be nothing without the instructors. On Plant Talk, we’ll introduce you to them, and their stories.

David Dew Bruner, Instructor, Landscape Design

My grandparents were great plant people. My grandfather bred Camillias under high-canopied pine trees in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Walking under those pines was transcendental for me. As I grew older, the pine forest experience would happen under many other trees, in may other places. I would build little house-like structures and fountains and pretend I was somewhere else.

Wanting to continue experiencing that transcendental pine forest feeling in new places, off to landscape design school I went. I knew very little about the subject and didn’t even know how to draw; I was scared I would be kicked out. Having only used a pencil for math problems, I tumbled into the world of art and design like Alice down the rabbit hole and immersed myself in this new world. (Do not fear new students; you, too, can learn to draw as I did. It’s about practice!)

This slowly acquired love of art and design has shaped me to this very day. I now have an antique store and art gallery where every week something new and beautiful comes into my life to keep me humble and inspired. For similar reasons I feel lucky to teach at The New York Botanical Garden, for every new class of students filled with potential and wonder is for me like discovering an unknown painting and falling in love with it. The simple, direct questions new designers ask make me dig deep into myself for logical, honest answers.

The Orchid Show: On Broadway has begun its limited engagement at the Garden, and it’s garnering rave reviews. The spotlight shines bright on The Orchid Show: On Broadway!

The New York Times featured interviews with several Orchid Show staff, including designers Scott Pask and Drew Hodges, and orchid curator Marc Hachadourian.

The definitive magazine for U.S. theatergoers, Playbill, created a slide show to display our botanical divas.

Meanwhile, Broadway World spread the exciting news about Hirschfeld’s Broadway Scrapbook, which tells the story of the Great White Way as seen by its foremost chronicler, Al Hirschfeld.

But don’t just take their word for it! Come see one of New York’s most spectacular flower shows for yourself. What’s more New York than Broadway?

Get your tickets!

The Orchid Show: On Broadway has been receiving rave reviews! Have you come to see the most spectacular show in New York City yet?