Morning Eye Candy: Golden Trumpet
Posted in Photography on February 23 2016, by Lansing Moore
Golden trumpet (Allamanda cathartica ‘Hendersonii’) in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Lansing Moore
Book Review: Selecting ‘The Indestructibles’
Posted in From the Library, Shop/Book Reviews on February 22 2016, by Lansing Moore
Esther Jackson is the Public Services Librarian at NYBG’s LuEsther T. Mertz Library where she manages Reference and Circulation services and oversees the Plant Information Office. She spends much of her time assisting researchers, providing instruction related to library resources, and collaborating with NYBG staff on various projects related to Garden initiatives and events.
The staff of the Plant Information Office in the Mertz Library are always excited to see a new book from Tovah Martin. Martin has written over a dozen gardening books, drawing from her 25 years of gardening experience to craft classics as well as new favorites. The Library has eighteen books authored or coauthored by Martin, and this month we have added her newest work—The Indestructible Houseplant from Timber Press—to our collection. The Indestructible Houseplant was written for beginners, but experienced gardeners will also enjoy the beauty and advice contained in this well-crafted volume.
Martin starts The Indestructible Houseplant with an accessible yet lyrical introduction that welcomes the “window-sill gardener wannabes,” telling them that this book is for them. Martin promises to help readers overcome obstacles—cost, time, light/environment—and develop their own “lush and verdant” interior paradises. Martin writes about her home gardening environment and then moves into practical guidelines for understanding limitations of indoor space, including selecting and placing containers. Here, too, her prose is crisp, accessible, and practical; Martin even includes a section about her selection process for plants to profile, addressing the omission of some historic houseplant favorites, such as flowering maples, Abutilon cultivars.
Morning Eye Candy: Fresh Squeezed
Posted in Photography on February 22 2016, by Lansing Moore
We ask that visitors refrain from plucking the edible plants in NYBG’s collection, but these ripe grapefruits sure are tempting!
Citrus Paradisi × ‘Ruby Red’ in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.
This Weekend: The Final Weekend of Wild Medicine in the Tropics
Posted in Programs and Events on February 19 2016, by Lansing Moore
If you’re looking for a weekend escape, come to your urban oasis at NYBG. This weekend is the final opportunity to experience Wild Medicine in the Tropics in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory–housing 11 distinct habitats from around the world. When you come for your visit, you may notice some work being done at the Conservatory, that’s because we’re gearing up for this year’s Orchid Show: Orchidelirium–the most thrilling exhibition yet–opening on February 27.
And there’s plenty to do with the kids at the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Take the little ones on a winter adventure where they’ll learn about the wonders of plants and animals in winter with fun activities such as creating bark rubbings, counting tree rings, and crafting a bud necklaces.
It may be winter, but the Garden is still thriving with life. Tour the grounds with expert guides and learn about the beauty and the majesty of winter trees. This week’s Winter Trees tour will also be accompanied by an ASL interpreter. Continue reading for the full schedule for this weekend at NYBG.
Orchid Evenings Are Back!
Posted in Programs and Events on February 18 2016, by Lansing Moore
With the arrival of our 14th annual Orchid Show begins the most immersive season yet of this popular event series, with more music, refreshments, programs, and yes, specialty cocktails, than ever. With nine of these special evenings planned for select Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays throughout March and April, now is the time to plan your evening escape to the world of Orchidelirium.
There’s no better way to experience The Orchid Show than with delicious snacks and cocktails when the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory is filled with the aroma of orchids and the evening sky is visible from within the glasshouse. Our friends at STARR Events provide specialty drinks and treats—including the Orchid Evenings signature cocktail, the Ginger Vanilla Fusion, a delicious blend of vanilla bean-infused vodka and ginger inspired by the Vanilla that comes from the Vanilla planifolia orchid.
This year NYBG is thrilled to welcome an exciting lineup of NYC DJs to enhance the atmosphere. Visiting dance and music ensembles from a variety of international traditions reflect the wide world of orchids—a flower with tens of thousands of species ranging across the globe. On March 5 & 26, visitors will have the chance to enjoy an informal and enlightening talk with one of NYBG’s own scientists about the more rare and unique varieties of this enigmatic plant.
This Holiday Weekend: Healthy Treats and Romantic Sweets
Posted in Programs and Events on February 12 2016, by Lansing Moore
The weekend is here at last—and it’s an eventful one! For those of you enjoying a three-day weekend for President’s Day, NYBG will be open on February 15 for three days of programs and activities. Culinary Kids Weekend welcomes families all weekend long with educational food activities in the Conservatory Tent. See what The New York Times and NBC New York have to say about this festive family celebration, and come join the fun!
Couples are invited to celebrate Valentine’s Day with that special someone in the warmth of our Victorian-style glasshouse, where special chocolate tastings and a pop-up bar complete the experience of New York’s most romantic date destination. Read on for the full schedule of tours and programs for February 13 through 15, and plan your midwinter escape to NYBG today.
Morning Eye Candy: Winter Red
Posted in Photography on February 8 2016, by Lansing Moore
The Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’ pops against the crisp blankets of fresh snow adorning the Garden.
In the Home Gardening Center – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Morning Eye Candy: Swan Lake
Posted in Photography on February 3 2016, by Lansing Moore
Or rather, Duck Lake—but beautiful all the same!
In the Native Plant Garden – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
This Weekend: Enjoy Curative Plants & A Restorative Walk
Posted in Programs and Events on January 29 2016, by Lansing Moore
The Garden grounds continue to shine under a bright blanket of snow. This weekend offers several tours that highlight the season’s most picturesque parts of NYBG as part of a brisk winter walk. Our ongoing exhibition, Wild Medicine in the Tropics, is on view in the warmth of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, so warm up inside the landmark glasshouse as you admire the curative bounty of tropical plants on display.
In the meantime, Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and it’s not too early to start planning a romantic day with that special someone. We’re pleased to offer a full afternoon of tours, talks, chocolate tastings, and even a pop-up bar in the Haupt Conservatory. Complete your intimate celebration with a full-service dining experience at the Hudson Garden Grill, where a special prix fixe lunch menu is available through February 25.
View the full schedule of tours and programs below!
This Weekend: A Long Weekend for the Holiday Train Show’s Closing Days
Posted in Programs and Events on January 15 2016, by Lansing Moore
NYBG will be open for regular Garden Hours this Monday, January 18, for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the final day of this season’s Holiday Train Show®. Only three days remain to experience this all-new and bigger than ever exhibition, so plan a family outing to the Garden as you enjoy the long weekend! View the full schedule of programs and events for this Saturday, Sunday, and Monday below.
Don’t forget that there’s still time to grab tickets to our last Bar Car Nights of the year, tonight and tomorrow, January 15 and 16. And if you have little ones, remember that our All Aboard with Thomas & Friends mini-performances—not to mention the Evergreen Express activities in the Adventure Garden—will continue through January 24!