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Plant Talk

Inside The New York Botanical Garden

Matt Newman

What’s Beautiful Now: The Azalea Garden

Posted in What's Beautiful Now on May 19 2014, by Matt Newman

Azalea GardenRemember that all-important scene in The Wizard of Oz where the Wicked Witch of the West traps Dorothy and her cadre of heroes in a sprawling field of poppies, sure to sleep forever? It was memorable not for the witch’s conniving plan, or the fact that Glinda the Good Witch bails out our adventurers, but for the imagery itself—the smallness of the characters when surrounded by such immense (if deceptive) technicolor beauty is undeniable. And while we’re not quite ready to break out a poppy field of our own, we have something just as grand (and guaranteed to keep you awake) in the Azalea Garden.

At this very moment, thousands upon thousands of cheery azaleas are blooming in their eponymous collection, filling the newly greened forest surroundings with pinks, purples, reds, and whites. Seriously—it’s like we borrowed a rainbow and brought it to earth. Under the shifting net of sunlight cast through the canopy, the colors pop even more! But, as with everything that comes of spring, this dreamlike color can only last so long.

There’s at least a week or so left of this transcendent color before things quiet down, so make a point of stopping by!

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Morning Eye Candy: Through the Lens

Posted in Exhibitions on May 18 2014, by Matt Newman

Alongside the tools of the gardeners themselves, the camera played an important role in supporting the growth of American landscape design in the 20th century. It was in the efforts of the photographers, several of whom are currently being highlighted during our Groundbreakers exhibition, that the styles of women like Farrand and Coffin met the public eye. Don’t forget to visit our LuEsther T. Mertz Library for an important exhibit on some of the women who made all of this possible!

Groundbreakers camera

In the LuEsther T. Mertz Library – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen

Morning Eye Candy: Perfume

Posted in Photography on May 16 2014, by Matt Newman

The lilacs spill onto the scene, dressed head to toe in provocative aromas. Purples, pinks, whites—each bundle of flowers is a flag planted in the name of spring perfumes.

Syringa vulgaris 'Volcan'

Syringa vulgaris ‘Volcan’ in the Lilac Collection – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen

Morning Eye Candy: Dreamscape

Posted in Photography on May 14 2014, by Matt Newman

In case you were wondering what the essence of a rainbow brought to earth looks like. We’re expecting about two more weeks of this technicolor dreamscape at its peak, so make use of this flawless weather, won’t you?

Azalea Garden

 In the Azalea Garden – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen