Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on April 25 2012, by Matt Newman
I do believe I already mentioned how spectacular the lilacs are doing right now, up to and including those that aren’t quite “lilac” in color. But a reminder doesn’t hurt.
These columnar French jewels will put you in an aromatic trance.
Syringa vulgaris ‘Mme Lemoine’ — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Programs and Events on April 24 2012, by Sonia Uyterhoeven
This year is the 20th Anniversary of our Antique Garden Furniture Show. In honor of its celebration, I will review some of the basics for maintaining antique garden ornaments, but my best suggestion is that you stop by the show from April 26 through 28 and talk to the experts. We will have over 30 antique dealers who specialize in garden ornaments, catering to a wide range of tastes and budgets.
In anticipation of the show, I have been perusing the library’s collection of books, finding inspiration not only in the traditional tomes filled with marble nymphs and cast iron urns, but from modern design books that suggest repurposing local material.
I have started to construct my dream garden piece by piece. One item that is at the top of my wish list is a 19th century terra cotta oil jar from Italy. It was traditionally used to hold vats of olive oil, but in its modern rendition would make a wonderful focal point in an herbaceous border.
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on April 24 2012, by Matt Newman
The Azalea Garden hit 95% of the way to peak bloom over the weekend! Get here this week if you want to see it at its best, because how often do you really get to enjoy such an expanse of delirious color?
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in From the Library on April 23 2012, by Stephen Sinon
The LuEsther T. Mertz Library is revered as a center for research in the fields of botany, horticulture, and landscape. However, it is also home to many interesting special collections which are less well-known, such as its 1,600 volume children’s collection. This collection contains books which were written for children and young adults, and its content ranges in date from the 1880s to the present. Some of these publications are great rarities, while others are illustrated by famous artists, or explain scientific, natural, or ecological principles; some pieces of the collection are story books, others are picture books, but each is made to be read and admired by children of any age.
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on April 23 2012, by Matt Newman
Was Caitlin a coy Mona Lisa, or more of a Marilyn Monroe? Maybe a Tina Fey.
Iris typhifolia ‘Caitlin’s Smile’ — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on April 22 2012, by Matt Newman
The ‘Red Jade’ crabapple: living up to a very different name in spring.
Malus ‘Red Jade’ — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Adult Education, Around the Garden, Learning Experiences on April 21 2012, by Joyce Newman
It’s easy to help the planet and explore your greener side with the NYBG‘s programs. There are loads of Saturday and one-day programs offered at the Midtown Education Center in Manhattan and there’s even outdoor Yoga and Tai Chi offered at the Garden in the Bronx.
Browsing the new Spring-Summer Catalog, you can find one-day and half-day Saturday programs on everything from Beekeeping Basics and Vegetable Gardening, to new Earth-Kind® Roses and terrific Urban Tree Pits. You can discover the healing power of plants or the best choices for a city container garden. Plus, there are a wide range of new cooking classes for romantics to consider, among them, The Art of Cooking in the French Garden–For Couples.
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on April 21 2012, by Matt Newman
I had trekked over to the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden a few days ago to get a closer look at the tree peonies, passing by the lilacs on the way back. The aroma–it was like walking face-first into a pole, it was so sudden and powerful. Everyone gathered near the flowers was nodding and smiling contentedly, though whether in unspoken acknowledgement of one another, or in quiet appreciation of the perfume, I couldn’t say.
Syringa vulgaris ‘President Lincoln’ — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Programs and Events on April 20 2012, by Matt Newman
If you’re coming to the NYBG on Sunday for The Nature Conservancy‘s Picnic for the Planet, try not to overdo it during lunch! You’ll want to save room for an evening outing sure to have gourmands salivating, because long-time Friend of the Garden Mario Batali is jumping in with an event of his own.
Building on his success in last year’s Family Garden events, the legendary Babbo chef will once again join with the NYBG in raising awareness about the power of the foods we buy and eat. Along with Mario’s partners, Lidia and Joe Bastianich, the trio’s B&B Hospitality Group honors this year’s Earth Day with a special promotion at each of its restaurants in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, sending every patron of their fine B&B restaurants home with a special Earth Day gift. Not only will you leave well-fed, but you’ll do so with a packet of B&BHG’s organic Cherry Belle™ radish seeds. It also doubles as a two-for one ticket offer to visit the NYBG this summer, all in the name of bringing environmental responsibility home.
Posted in Around the Garden on April 20 2012, by Matt Newman
It’s been a whirlwind of excitement for the past two months, but the Orchid Show is soon to bid adieu to another successful year. More than successful, really–the tenth anniversary exhibition is being called one of the most triumphant showings our orchids have had to date, thanks in no small measure to the transcendent designs of botanist Patrick Blanc.
For any of our fans who spent the past few weeks bickering with themselves over the choice to take a day in the Bronx, now is absolutely your last chance to experience the vivid verticality of “The Green Man’s” living walls in person. And I can tell you without the shadow of a doubt that there’s plenty for you to see alongside the exhibition–as if the otherworldly flowers of several thousand orchids weren’t enough to get you on your feet and out the front door.