Inside The New York Botanical Garden

Archive: January 2015

Morning Eye Candy: Split Rock

Posted in Photography on January 21 2015, by Matt Newman

Divided by glacial movement ages and ages ago, Split Rock is one of the defining features of the Native Plant Garden. I’d say it was the collection’s beauty mark, but there are just too many of those in there to elect one.

Split Rock

Split Rock in the Native Plant Garden – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen

Houseplants 101

Posted in Gardening Tips on January 20 2015, by Sonia Uyterhoeven

Sonia Uyterhoeven is NYBG‘s Gardener for Public Education.


Phalaenopsis Monte Bianco IV
Phalaenopsis ‘Monte Bianco’

The weather has grown cold and we’re well into the season of staying indoors. During this time of year, I often look around my apartment at the few forlorn houseplants (I have horrible light) and wish that I could do more to “green up” my living space.

For the next two weeks, I will cover houseplant basics. As part of my preparation, I sat down with Mobee Weinstein, a Foreman at the Garden who has been working here for over 30 years. Mobee is an avid houseplant gardener. We discussed some of her favorite houseplants and the ones that she grows in her own home.

Houseplants are easy to grow as long as you are grounded in a basic understanding of three important factors: (1) the plants needs, (2) your particular home environment, and (3) your abilities as the guardian of these living creatures. Today we will cover the basics of what you need to know before you get started, focusing primarily on light and water.

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This Weekend: Three More Days to See the Holiday Train Show!

Posted in Programs and Events on January 16 2015, by Lansing Moore

Holiday Train Show Brooklyn BridgeMonday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and the Garden will be open! Enjoy a well-deserved long weekend at NYBG, and catch the Holiday Train Show® in its final few days before it closes after January 19. The wintry fun continues in Ross Hall with the return of All Aboard with Thomas & Friends™ mini-performances, now through January 25!

This weekend is also the time to come admire the finest treasures of the LuEsther T. Mertz Library’s world-class collection in Flora Illustrata: A Celebration of Botanical Masterworks—there will be three tours scheduled to guide visitors through this exhibition highlighting the greatest botanical library in the Western Hemisphere.

Explore the full schedule below for a full three-day weekend of illuminating and entertaining Garden experiences. We hope to see you soon!

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Bring a Piece of the Garden Home With You

Posted in Shop/Book Reviews, Video on January 16 2015, by Lansing Moore

Ivan BraunIn NYBG’s latest Artist’s Spotlight video, join the talented woodcarver Ivan Braun as he guides you through his artistic process. You may recognize Ivan from his live woodcarving demonstrations at the Garden as part of Fall Forest Weekends, but what you may not know is that his beautiful bowls and vases are made from the fallen trees on NYBG’s own grounds.

The winter storm season sees a lot of felled trees and branches, but rather than send these pieces of NYBG’s world-renowned tree collection straight to the chipper, Ivan gives new life to these beautiful and unique woods that span the globe, carving them into elegant and unique bowls that are available for purchase right here at Shop in the Garden! Peruse a selection of Ivan’s latest handiwork and bring home a souvenir of your Garden visit that is truly one-of-a-kind. Watch the video below to see the craftsman in action.