Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on June 15 2012, by Matt Newman
A maroon-flecked princess lily may have the irises flush with envy in the Ladies’ Border. Not only does this Californian cultivar boast a name just as warm, sweet, and spirited as its color suggests, but in the right light, a group of them cuts a figure like an angelic brass section.
Alstroemeria ‘The Third Harmonic’ — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in From the Library, Photography on June 14 2012, by Matt Newman
Happy Flag Day, everyone! Today marks the 235th anniversary of our star-spangled banner’s adoption, recognized each year on the 14th of June with a quiet “hurrah!” before the Fourth of July fireworks. And nearly a century ago, this was a momentous day at the Garden.
Our own flags were first raised on a sunny Saturday in 1917, and while it was during the height of World War I, Bronx residents still took the time to gather in celebration. In the midst of so much grim news from Europe, NYBG staff had pulled together to keep spirits high; the raising of three flag poles gifted to us on June 16 of that year (it’s easier on the weekend) gave the Garden an excuse to party–with parades, poetry, and at least a few swords.
It’s not often that something so simple as a flag raising gets its own marching band treatment these days, but hey, John Philip Sousa was a much bigger deal back then. The gifts–from one Edward D. Adams, NYBG board member–were met with a crowd of several hundred local school children, three separate Boy Scout troops (and their band), then Bronx Borough President Douglas Mathewson, and many more.
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography, Wildlife on June 14 2012, by Matt Newman
A bee bumbling through a graceless moment, or enjoying the revelation of flower petal as recliner?
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Monet's Garden, Video on June 13 2012, by Matt Newman
Claude Monet’s careful brush strokes have intrigued art critics, collectors, and museum-goers for well over a century, yet the masterworks seen on canvas exceed simple impressions of nature’s vistas. From his admiration for Japanese landscape painters to his tours through the tulip fields of Holland, Monet’s experiences directly influenced his creations–both in paint and within the trellised borders of Giverny. And few so thoroughly understand the nuances of the man behind the palette like Professor Paul Hayes Tucker.
The world’s foremost Monet scholar, Professor Tucker joins The New York Botanical Garden as the esteemed curator of Monet’s Garden, celebrating the life of the master painter and gardener while bringing to light a career spent in pursuit of art’s highest achievements. Here he presents a brief journey, walking us through a story hidden within the subtleties of Monet’s artwork–that of an Impressionist with an ever evolving sense of what art could (or should) be.
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on June 13 2012, by Matt Newman
There’s Ladies’ Border beauty on deck this morning. While “Ithuriel’s Spear” (wonderfully pretentious Milton reference, pleasantly humble flower) is a triple lily native to California and parts of Oregon, it’s just as content to settle down in our little plot alongside the Conservatory. There’s so much expat elegance growing along the Border right about now.
Triteleia laxa ‘Koningin Fabiola’ — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on June 12 2012, by Matt Newman
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Adult Education, Gardening Tips on June 11 2012, by Matt Newman
Liz Neves is an herbalist, permaculturist, and compost turner living in Brooklyn, NY.
While both rose and lavender are revered for their beauty and aroma, they also have the ability to prove profoundly healing for the body in a variety of applications. Much of this is due to their appealing sights and scents, but there is much more than meets the eye–and nose–when it comes to lavender and rose.
“If you wish,” wrote the 16th century Azerbaijani poet Fuzuli, “you can find a cure for all of your problems in the rose garden, in curative rose water in the pot of the bud.” In hindsight, he was onto something.
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on June 11 2012, by Matt Newman
It would be a crime if I kept overlooking what’s going on in the Home Gardening Center. I mean, yeah, the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden is a classic stunner, and you can’t miss the spotted foxglove of Giverny in the Conservatory right now, but the HGC is really putting on a show. Not bad for a “humble” spot by the Garden Café.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on June 10 2012, by Matt Newman
Sorry, but there are no hammocks allowed in the Rock Garden, no matter how dreamy a spot it is for zenning out in a state of complete existential bliss. Our appreciation goes out once again to each and every one of you for supporting the NYBG in the Partners in Preservation competition. Because of you, this little paradise is set for rehabilitation that will preserve its ambiance for decades to come.
We’re pretty happy about that.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography, Wildlife on June 9 2012, by Matt Newman
Not quite a honey bee, is it? But this little syrphid fly, also known as a hover fly, is as good for a home garden as the buzzing insect it impersonates. Trade-off being that you won’t get any honey out of it (though the lack of a stinger makes up for the missing sweet stuff). Not only will the hover fly pollinate your flowers as it scoots about in search of nectar, but its larvae have a penchant for snacking on the aphids that would otherwise ruin your plants.
All told, stay your swatter if you happen to see one!
Syrphid fly on Lobularia ‘Snow Princess’ — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen