Shift your focus to the conifers. As we make our way through fall, the vibrant red and orange leaves falling from the deciduous trees give way to the rich, deep hues of the evergreens. Some of them, like Cupressus nootkatensis ‘Sparkling Arrow’, show fascinating variegated (the white scales lack chlorophyll) foliage, while the needles on Pinus strobus ‘Contorta’ take on unique, swirling forms you might not expect.
In honor of Veterans Day we’re pleased to announce the THRIVE program, an initiative that commemorates NYBG’s long history working with service members—dating back to World War I when we first invited returning veterans into the Garden for rehabilitation and learning new skills. Hear from Carrie Rebora Barratt, CEO and The William C. Steere Sr. President of The New York Botanical Garden, and discover how we’re continuing that legacy in collaboration with the James J. Peters Veterans Administration Medical Center in the Bronx.
This is a fall essential. In the Perennial Garden, the season is distilled down to its floral essence, with cardoons, flowering sage, and asters everywhere you look. Spend a few moments on a bench amid this collection and you’ll understand why it’s such a hotspot for plein-air artists.
Can floral design be more sustainable? The founder of Tin Can Studios, Ingrid Carozzi—whose long list of corporate and A-list clients includes Anna Wintour, John Legend, and Rachel Ray—is sure of it. And we’re so grateful that she visited NYBG to show our Adult Education Floral Design students how!
On October 22, Ingrid led the Art of Sustainability workshop, in which students fashioned a site-specific installation in NYBG’s Visitor Center using a lush and colorful combination of roses, dahlias, maple leaves, lilies, and hydrangeas. They explored ways to skip the usual floral foam and embrace eco-friendly materials such as watermelon, a fantastic alternative to keep flowers hydrated and in place when creating large-scale installations.
When it comes to fall beauty this week, our Thain Forest—50 acres of old-growth forest right here in New York City—is the showstealer. Reds, yellows, and oranges peek out from every vantage point, allowing you to immerse yourself in the season as you traverse the trails. And with this weekend’s Chorus of the Forest by Angélica Negrón set to premiere among this unparalleled color, now is the time to get to NYBG.
The ‘Ozukuri’ style of kiku is the apex of this Japanese craft, transforming a single-stemmed chrysanthemum into a mountain of individually trained flowers that truly justifies the translation of its name: “Thousand Bloom.” See how our expert horticulturists spend 11 months each year creating this living spectacle.
Update: Due to inclement weather predicted for Sunday, the Tour de Bronx has been cancelled.
With the fall chill entering the air, that’s your signal to break out your bike—the Tour de Bronx is back this Sunday, October 27, and everyone’s welcome to register.
Each year, we’re proud to participate in the Tour, a beloved borough bicycle event with both 25- and 40-mile routes that takes riders on a scenic trip through much of the Bronx, with different highlights for each route. Established in 1994 by the office of the Bronx Borough President and The Bronx Tourism Council, the event has grown year on year to become the largest free cycling event in New York State—and each year it ends right here at NYBG.
Picking the 25-mile route takes you through the south, east, and mid portions of the borough, including the Mott Haven district, Clason Point along the East River, and Pelham Bay Park, a green NYC gem with 3,000 acres of forest. On the 40-mile route, you’ll pass historic Fort Schuyler on the Throggs Neck Peninsula, visit City Island’s maritime community, and hit the northern areas of the borough like Woodlawn and Riverdale.
Both paths ultimately bring you here to the Garden, the long-time finish line for the tour where you’ll celebrate your ride with treats, live music, mingling with your fellow riders, and a free T-shirt to remember your accomplishment. We’ll also be giving away tickets to the premiere of the Chorus for the Forest by Angélica Negrón, November 2 & 3 here in our Thain Forest.
The Haupt Conservatory houses living collections, from soaring tropical palms to unique desert cacti—and it’s also a living machine, with systems and processes to keep these plants thriving. Check out today’s story to see how we’re restoring its iconic palm dome to ensure this complex and beautiful structure continues to protect our important plants from around the world.
During the palm dome restoration, most of the Conservatory remains open for you to explore.
Large, lumpy, warty, and weird—the hordes of pumpkins and gourds in our Spooky Pumpkin Garden come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. And their names are just as strange! Take a peek at a few of the many varieties calling the Garden home right now, and visit to explore their incredible diversity.
Your holiday weekend plans are here with three days of fun! Taste the rich flavors and textures of fall during Honey & Harvest Weekend, from sweet, sticky honey to hearty harvest vegetables like squash and beets. You can also explore hordes of gourds and scarecrows in the Spooky Pumpkin Garden and get up close with creepy creatures during wildlife demonstrations.
