Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Archive: January 2012
Posted in Holiday Train Show on January 25 2012, by Matt Newman
Kickstarting the imaginations of children is the kind of gratification you love to run into here at the NYBG. Some exhibitions–the Holiday Train Show, for one–just happen to be especially good at creating the perfect incubator for young creativity. And with stories like these, it’s always a perk to follow up.
Back in December we received a suggestion for our “20 Days” series from an administrator at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, Connecticut, explaining just how excited the kids were by their visit to the Garden in 2010. They were so ecstatic, in fact, that the club decided to give its own train show a try. For 2011’s traditional visit, the kids put their patience and skill together in recreating the Greenwich landmarks they grew up with. And this was no half-baked homework assignment: they even set up their own running model train.
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Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on January 25 2012, by Matt Newman
Consider yourself punned for the rest of the week. (That one actually hurt to type.) Is it too much to hope that these resilient winter blooms will be enough of a mea culpa for such a knock-out headline?
Winter-blooming jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Gardening Tips, Learning Experiences on January 24 2012, by Sonia Uyterhoeven
For the past few weeks we have been discussing the fallout of 2011’s strange weather, the damage experienced here at the NYBG, and various methods of identifying at-risk trees. Last week we examined some of the physiological processes behind winter injury.
Continuing where we left off, we will now explore several things that home owners can do to combat winter injury. The most effective remedy for winter injury on broad-leaved evergreens is prevention; in other words, the best protection is properly siting the plants.
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Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on January 24 2012, by Matt Newman
If our Conservatory speaks of history, the Nolen Greenhouses for Living Collections foster the future. The occasional “members only” tour lets visitors in on the care, technology and horticultural know-how that goes into designing each and every plant exhibition that you see here at the NYBG. Plus it’s just really cool to see the greenery inside the superstructure.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Adult Education on January 23 2012, by Education at NYBG
Try and name a few important crops, just off the top of your head. Were grapes or hops found anywhere on that list? They probably weren’t the first plants to come to mind, but there’s almost no doubt whatsoever: they’re two of the most constant influences on culture throughout our history. Beer and wine have been the indulgence of choice for entire civilizations, from Pharaohs to Caesars and up through our modern society.
As part of our Botany of Indulgence classroom series (see: chocolate), Donald McClelland brings his homebrewing know-how to our Midtown classrooms for an in-depth chat on the art and science of fermentation, pegging perfect flavors, and the equipment needed to start your own cask or keg at home. His experience is soundly based on personal necessity (and the life of a student, of course).
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Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on January 23 2012, by Matt Newman
Resident photographer and wonderbeard (it’s a term of endearment) Ivo M. Vermeulen recently stole (politely asked for a ride in) a cherry-picker from our NYBG arborists, snagging a rare opportunity to see our Conservatory from a songbird’s perspective. I love to see the contrast in greenery on either side of the glass.
The Tracey Towers in the distance look a little ominous here, don’t they?
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on January 22 2012, by Matt Newman
How often do you see the perm trying to make a comeback anywhere, let alone in horticulture?
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on January 21 2012, by Matt Newman
One glance, two–how many will it take you to spot the shy photobomber in this frills-attached photo? Try enlarging it and squinting a bit. You could be at this a while otherwise.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden on January 20 2012, by Matt Newman
Rumor has it we’ll be seeing some snow in New York tonight! Does that mean winter’s finally making its frigid entrance stage right? Or maybe it’s just nature’s subtle way of nudging you to get off the couch and pay us a visit for the balmy opening of the Caribbean Garden. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that–yes–the season is giving you a signal. What could it hurt?
Snowflakes or no-flakes, the NYBG will be buzzing with tours, bird walks, and all the swinging, high-heeled dance numbers of the islands. I’m talking salsa. Salsa and warmth. When’s the last time you got to enjoy that kind of two-in-one in the middle of January? And even if the winter was mild until now, it’s a breezy icebox outside today; I’m convinced the threat of frostbite is reason enough to hang out in the jungle habitats of the steamy Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.
Here’s what’s going on this weekend at the Garden!
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Posted in Adult Education, Exhibitions, Photography on January 20 2012, by Matt Newman
This year’s Caribbean Garden promises to be even more photogenic than the last! The picturesque fronds and flowers of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory‘s permanent collection once again take the spotlight to promote not only the beauty you see, but the beauty you create.
Walk the pathways of the Conservatory on a tour of our verdant living collections. Award-winning photos from the International Garden Photographer of the Year contest–taken in gardens around the world–will be on display alongside plants from around the Caribbean. Enjoy the beautiful photographs and access additional information on the photographers, their inspiration, and the techniques they used to capture these stunning images by simply scanning a code on each sign with your smartphone. And on Sundays, join one of two accomplished photographers for a brief course on the basics of garden shooting.
Whether you’re green to the art or just looking to brush up on your technique, come for some winter weather relief and don’t forget your camera.
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Kickstarting the imaginations of children is the kind of gratification you love to run into here at the NYBG. Some exhibitions–the Holiday Train Show, for one–just happen to be especially good at creating the perfect incubator for young creativity. And with stories like these, it’s always a perk to follow up.
