When we last had a look at this powder puff tree, not all of the subtle details were readily apparent. How many of you thought you were looking at speckles of dew, or pollen dustings?

Calliandra haematocephala — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen

Figuratively speaking, of course.

Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen

Seeing the snowdrops pull themselves up by their bootstraps over the last month was a strange sight, if only because they’re not scheduled to arrive until the first moments of spring. But while their seasonal confusion was a little disconcerting, to see these coy troopers toughing out the worsening cold still proved a pleasant inspiration.

We wish you each an unequivocally successful year in 2013, and may you find your own bootstraps in the face of whatever 2012 had to throw at you.

Photo by Amy Weiss

The windows are brief, but when winter’s clouds aren’t looking, warmth cuts a path.

Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen

“I see you, but do you see me?”

Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen

Winterscape outside, junglescape inside. The Conservatory’s a good spot for that sort of leap.

Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen

My New Year’s resolution for 2013 is to finish up my holiday shopping before the holidays come and go, rather than after; it’s one I can never seem to stick to. For the rest of you, here’s hoping that this weekend will be a relaxing one. If you’re not working on Monday, I might also suggest you preface your fireworks and champagne with a stop at the NYBG, where the Holiday Train Show continues to run through mid-January alongside many of our other December activities. At the very least, I can promise you the open spaces and fresh air of the Garden will offer a little calm before you squeeze your way into Times Square.

However, if you’re still in retail mode, you’ll want to make a pit stop at our Shop in the Garden. We’re offering plenty of great gifts for the gardeners on your list that you may have overlooked, and much of what remains of our holiday stock is now 50% off! So if you’re the type of person who likes to plan well ahead when it comes to Christmas ornaments a wintry decor, now is your chance to load up.

For the Saturday crowd, the weather report promises a belatedly white Christmas in the Garden, something best experienced while wandering among the Benenson Ornamental Conifers. There’s something about snow-laden evergreens that flips all the right nostalgia switches, at least in my experience. And I probably don’t have to say it, but winter weather makes enjoying our toy trains and miniatures that much more iconic when snowflakes are brushing over the Conservatory glass.
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With New Year’s Eve on the horizon, we’ve got more than enough fireworks to make it memorable.

Calliandra haematocephala — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen

Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen

Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen