Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Posted in Photography on July 26 2014, by Matt Newman
No, this crepe myrtle isn’t named for its stinginess. It’s actually quite generous with its flowers! But it’s also very compact.
Dwarf crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica Tightwad Red®) along the Ladies’ Border– Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Programs and Events on July 25 2014, by Matt Newman
We’re well into a relatively mild summer here at NYBG, which means evenings make for one of the best times to get outside and relax! To that end, we’re prepping the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden and all its plush vegetable beds for the first of this year’s series of Family Dinners with Mario Batali’s Chefs. We’re breaking out the tablecloths, the grill’s being readied, and you’ll find plenty of hands-on crafts and activities waiting for your kids when you get here.
This weekend’s opening dinner event will be helmed by Chef Josh Laurano of Lupa and Chef Dan Drohan of Otto, who are teaming up to create three decadent courses to remember. Among the items on this weekend’s menu, you’ll find green beans with prosciutto, mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes; eggplant parmagiano with bianca aglio olio; mint and lemon semolina cake; and more. Don’t worry about wine, either—we’ve got a pair of options selected to perfectly complement the dishes.
There are still some tickets available for Sunday night’s event, along with tickets to future dinners in the coming months, so don’t miss out! Head past the jump for the full weekend schedule, including Groundbreakers activities and tours.
Posted in Photography on July 25 2014, by Matt Newman
They don’t call them elephant ears without reason. Big and bright enough to make the flowers insecure, the Colocasia in the Home Gardening Center are of the genus responsible for the edible taro root. Not that you should head right out with a spade and start digging them up in your own yard—they can be poisonous if not prepared correctly!
Colocasia in the Home Gardening Center – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Photography on July 24 2014, by Lansing Moore
Aster ‘Twilight’ in the Seasonal Walk — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Gardening Tips on July 23 2014, by Sonia Uyterhoeven
Sonia Uyterhoeven is NYBG’s Gardener for Public Education.
Over the years, I’ve often given tours of the High Line to NYBG Members as part of our Membership tour programs. In fact, I’ve already given several this year and have more planned for August and October. And as I lead the groups through this unique space, we discuss architecture, ecology, design, and garden-worthy plants. Perennials in particular are always a hot topic.
I often warn the participants against some of the more rambunctious perennials, as they tend to have a thuggish habit. Instead, I recommend many of the other outstanding selections that you can find in the planting scheme created by Piet Oudolf, the High Line’s designer. The perennials planted there are chosen for their durability. Growing in 18 inches of porous soil atop abandoned railroad tracks that stand 30 feet above the ground, these plants are regularly exposed to intense urban heat, sunlight, and heavy winds—they have to be tough.
Piet Oudolf’s naturalistic planting style fits in superbly with the unstructured urban environment. He designed the High Line with plant communities in mind, using primarily native, resilient, and ‘low-maintenance’ plants that provide great diversity, seasonal change, and height and color variation.
Posted in Photography on July 23 2014, by Matt Newman
The Greenmarket‘s on today! If you join us near the Mosholu Gate, right at the end of Tulip Tree Allée, you’ll see tents and tables stacked with fresh baked goods, dairy, vegetables, and a colorful palette of summer fruits. The Greenmarket runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday through November, offering fresh local produce from around our region.
At the Greenmarket – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Photography on July 22 2014, by Matt Newman
Fire pink (Silene virginica) in the Native Plant Garden – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Mario Batali's Edible Garden on July 21 2014, by Lansing Moore
On the heels of last month’s hugely successful Whole Foods 5% Day, we are very excited for the start of the next special event series to support the Garden’s Edible Academy initiative. This Sunday, MasterCard® Priceless® New York presents the first of four Family Dinners with Mario Batali’s Chefs!
Celebrated chef and NYBG Board Member Mario Batali is Honorary Chair of the Edible Academy Committee, and for four nights only the Garden will host chefs from the Batali & Bastanich Hospitality Group‘s acclaimed restaurants to prepare a three-course, family-style menu to be served al fresco in the most secluded green oasis in New York City. Your family can join in the fun too, so read on for more details about the special menu and fun activities in store!
Posted in Photography on July 21 2014, by Matt Newman
On a hint passed along by our Curator of Woody Plants, Deanna Curtis, Ivo headed out to the Azalea Garden for some hunting. His quarry was a flower, of course, and he was shooting with a camera—no worries there. He came back with photos of another winning deciduous azalea lighting up this collection during summer.
Rhododendron ‘Lady Barbara’ by the Azalea Garden overlook – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Photography on July 20 2014, by Matt Newman
Meadow-rue (Thalictrum ‘Elin’) along the Seasonal Walk – Photo by Amy Weiss