Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Posted in NYBG in the News on November 2 2010, by Plant Talk
| Ann Rafalko is Director of Online Content. |
We wanted to share this great interview that Weekend Edition host Scott Simon did with master pumpkin carver Scott Cully.
In the interview, Scott divulges how he became a giant pumpkin carver, and one deep, dark secret. It’s not to be missed.
You can read the transcript, listen to it, or download it as a podcast.
Posted in Uncategorized on November 2 2010, by Sonia Uyterhoeven
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Sonia Uyterhoeven is Gardener for Public Education. Join her each weekend for home gardening demonstrations on a variety of topics in the Home Gardening Center. |
Join The New York Botanical Garden’s Sonia Uyterhoeven as she shows off some easy and simple tips for your home and garden. In this installment Sonia showcases some easy and quick botanical ideas for autumn inspired centerpieces.
You can always ask Sonia (or our other gardening experts) your own questions online.
Posted in Programs and Events on November 1 2010, by Plant Talk
| Ann Rafalko is Director of Online Content. |
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Gravity, it seems, will always win. Whether it’s in the war against wrinkles, when you drop your buttered toast, or when you’re carving the world’s heaviest pumpkin. Here on earth, we’re all a slave to it.
And while Chris Stevens’ 1,810.5 pound world record-holder did succumb to Newton’s most famous force, the other two fabulous pumpkins are still on view here at The New York Botanical Garden, and should be around through Friday.
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And here’s hoping Scott Cully‘s heroic effort will be considered great by another book: The Guinness Book.
Posted in Gardens and Collections on November 1 2010, by Plant Talk
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The Botanical Garden’s living collections is among the greatest in the world and contains more than 1 million plants. Jon Peter, Plant Records Manager, periodically shines the spotlight on a particular species that can be found within our 250 acres. |
Botanical Name: Sassafras albidum
Common Name: Sassafras
Family Name: Lauraceae (Laurel family)
Native Range: USA—Maine to Florida, west to Michigan and Texas
Canada—southern Ontario
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 through 9A
Locations within NYBG: Forest, Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, Native Plant Garden
Site Requirements: Sun to partial shade; well-drained, moist soil
Interesting Note: This species has been used for centuries in a variety of ways. The root bark was used to flavor root beer, the leaves and bark used to make tea, and the oils used in soaps. It was known in folk medicine as a tonic and a purifier of the blood and still has a reputation as a stimulant, and as a treatment for syphilis, rheumatism, and skin disease. Most of these uses ended in the early 1960s when it was found that the active ingredient safrole is carcinogenic.
In the native habitats of North America it has exceptional valuable as a food source for insects, birds, and mammals. The sassafras has many great ornamental qualities as well: from its gorgeous furrowed bark and three forms of leaves to its fragrant twigs and beautiful autumn color. Sassafras is under utilized in the North American landscape.
Posted in Gardens and Collections on November 1 2010, by Plant Talk
| Ann Rafalko is Director of Online Content. |
Mondays are rough. We understand. So to help you ease into your week, some eye candy of the Garden in fall.
Learn more about spending a day in the country, without ever leaving the city, here.
