The other day in Manhattan I passed a man wearing a t-shirt. It has been unseasonably warm this year and this was the confirmation. Throughout the fall and winter, The New York Botanical Garden has been showing similar signs of seasonal displacement and confusion. I would like to spend the next few weeks reflecting on some of the oddities that we experienced in the Garden over the past few months.

When I was teaching in our newly-restored Forest last month, part of my tour included a flowering Carolina rhododendron (Rhododendron carolinianum). It wasn’t in full flower, however there were several open blossoms scattered throughout the plant.
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Early May saw flowers return to the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden.

The Rose Garden Blooms Again

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Didn’t get what you wanted for Christmas? Still haven’t received the Hanukkah present you were hoping for? Stumped for the perfect Kwanzaa gift? Never fear! The Shop in the Garden holiday sale is here! So much better than hitting the mall.

In April we celebrated Spring Color Week as a rainbow of blooms burst forth.

Spring Color Week

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After putting together my story on poinsettia the other day, I realized that there’s more to seasonal decor than a few colorful leaves. There are quite obviously berries, too–red and white–and boughs of pine woven into wreaths and garland. Of course there’s the classic Christmas tree. Frankincense, myrrh. Growing things have made their way into every nook and cranny of this decidedly green and red season.

But as with every decoration, every tradition, there’s a backstory to be dug up. I decided to tackle a few of these plants topically with the “poinsettia treatment,” and came up with some interesting results.
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Who needs tinsel when you’ve got panicles? Happy holidays from all of us at the Garden!

Idesia polycarpa (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)

In March 2011 we introduced you to the stars of The Orchid Show: On Broadway.

Introducing: The Ingenue

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Sure, we realize that these little bell-shaped flowers are purple, but silver really isn’t a color you see terribly frequently in nature. Regardless, it will soon be Christmas day!

Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen

In the depths of winter, sometimes all I want to do is hunker down in a warm place and read poetry. In February 2011, I took refuge in one particular poem by William Carlos Williams, that helped me find new beauty in the Garden’s winter landscape.

The Disattired Trees

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Can you believe the Christmas weekend is already at our doorstep, and Hanukkah well underway? Before you can bat an eye, you’ll be up to your ears in New Year’s party planning while trying to decide on your resolutions for 2012 (as shaky as they always turn out in practice).

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves! If you’re in search of a way to entertain the in-laws and maybe a place to knock out those last few items on your all-too-lengthy gift list (nothing to be ashamed of; I’m so far behind on my shopping I’m thinking of giving everyone scratch-offs), there are still a few chances to catch the Holiday Train Show before Sunday.
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