Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Matt Newman
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on May 3 2012, by Matt Newman
More from our local do-it-yourself shutterbug! Followers over the last year will have seen our previous contributions from Joel Kroin, whose pinhole captures cast a narrow bridge between the charm of old-fashioned photography and modern composition. His shots of the Garden grounds almost give a tricky glimpse into the past.
Normally Joel doesn’t bring his pinhole camera to the Garden quite as often once the leaves return. “With so many flower and leaf colors, this time of the year is not my favorite since leaves obscure fine plant lines,” he says. In this case, one shot in particular catches our eye, as well as the essence of the Rock Garden–a classic Alpine landscape underscored by the peaceful gush of water over stone.
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Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on May 3 2012, by Matt Newman
Not quite the garlic you were looking for? Schubert’s Garlic, or Allium schubertii, is indeed related to the bulbs you find haphazardly piled together in the produce section of your local supermarket. As part of the onion family, it even gives off that familiar smell when bruised or broken. But Schubert’s Garlic is known more for its bright sprays of pink and green florets than for its culinary uses.
Allium schubertii — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Learning Experiences, People on May 2 2012, by Matt Newman
My only run-in with the legacy of Pythagoras lies in a mathematical theorem: A2+B2=C2. One of those familiar formulas you’re smacked around with in middle school geometry, something most of us had to suffer. (“Suffer” being relative to whether or not you’re as mathematically stunted as I am.) But in the shadow of this Greek philosopher’s lauded contributions to the number game, what else do we find?
Beans, actually–the same delicious, colorful family of foodie favorites we were talking about only recently. It’s thanks to the obscure (dare we say esoteric?) knowledge of Matthew Wills that we were clued into the rather demented history of the legume.
Bear with me here. I’m not running off on a mad tangent about the piddling dietary habits of a long-dead philosopher. Or maybe I am. It was during Pythagoras’ lifetime as a renowned Greek thinker and teacher that he seeded a bushel of ideas far above and beyond his maths. He also created a religion of sorts. And within the guidelines of that religion, supposed dietary restrictions. I say “supposed” because Pythagoras never wrote anything down himself; it was owed to his followers in succeeding generations that anything the man thought or declared was ever saved for posterity. In and among reflections on the transmigration of the soul and the importance of music, we find the humble bean.
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Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on May 2 2012, by Matt Newman
It was less than a month ago (April 8, to be exact) that I posted the photo immediately below. Hints of spring, yes, but still a long way off from the effusion of gleaming greens you see further down. Try to wrap your head around the fact that these two photos were taken less than a month apart!
Photos by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on April 30 2012, by Matt Newman
Wasn’t it only a month ago, give or take, that the Seasonal Border was a simple stretch of soil, spotted with tiny sprouts and shy flowers? Looks like that protective mesh did an admirable job of keeping the squirrels away.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on April 29 2012, by Matt Newman
So much theater in the humble tulip. The daffodils may be fading for the season, but they’re not leaving any absence of spring color in their wake.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on April 28 2012, by Matt Newman
The behind-the-scenes happenings in the Native Plant Garden are still our little secret until 2013, but we’ll occasionally pass along a rare sneak peak. We can’t wait either.
But there’s plenty to see in the meantime. Today and tomorrow we’re holding special Garden Tour Guide-led tours through the Rock Garden, as well as gardening demonstrations related to the Alpine plants we grow there. Make a plan to come and visit us, and don’t forget to vote for us through Partners in Preservation!
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden on April 27 2012, by Matt Newman
The sun is high, the tulips are flirtatious, and the workday already has one foot out the door. Tomorrow opens up a spree of exciting events at the NYBG as we work our way toward the beginning of Monet’s Garden. More importantly, we’re springing off our announcement of the Rock Garden’s inclusion in this year’s Partners in Preservation competition. We need your help to make this happen!
We’re encouraging everyone to stop by the Rock Garden at the heart of the NYBG when they come for a weekend visit. You’ll understand why I call it a zen experience. And once you’ve walked along the gently sloped gravel paths and looked up at the reach of the trees overhead, I think you’ll also come to understand what makes this Garden icon worth your time. After seeing the Rock Garden, think about throwing your vote in the hat for The New York Botanical Garden as we strive for the privilege of restoring this piece of Nature’s Showplace.
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Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on April 27 2012, by Matt Newman
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
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Posted in Around the Garden, Programs and Events on April 26 2012, by Matt Newman
After months of preparation, we’re not only proud, but ecstatic to announce our participation in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Partners in Preservation competition! Beginning today, the NYBG launches its campaign alongside 40 fellow historical places of New York in a race to win the vote.
We like to think of The New York Botanical Garden as more than a cultural institution. It’s a community–of horticulturists, of members, of contributors and fans. It’s thanks to the continued generosity of people like these (and you!) that our gates remain open today, over a century after these 250 acres were unveiled as one of the finest botanical gardens in the world. And if the thrumming excitement winging its way around the office today suggests anything, it’s that we aim to keep that title.
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More from our local do-it-yourself shutterbug! Followers over the last year will have seen our previous contributions from Joel Kroin, whose pinhole captures cast a narrow bridge between the charm of old-fashioned photography and modern composition. His shots of the Garden grounds almost give a tricky glimpse into the past.
