Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Around the Garden
Posted in Around the Garden on November 8 2012, by Ann Rafalko
It snowed last night. It was very quiet and very beautiful, and it hung around until this morning when we were able to document it for posterity. Which is good because by this weekend when it’s 60 degrees again and we’re celebrating Fall Forest Weekend, we’ll all be asking each other “What snow?”
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Fall Forest Weekend is your opportunity to explore one of the oldest remaining remnants of the forests that once covered most of New York City and you can immerse yourself in the magnificent colors of fall foliage. Tree-climbing demonstrations, guided tours, and more make for an unforgettable autumn experience! Get your tickets now!
Posted in Around the Garden on November 7 2012, by Matt Newman
If you’re walking along Garden Way after a trip to the Greenmarket, and you happen to catch a whiff of what smells suspiciously like cotton candy, there’s no need to worry–you’re not losing your mind! Just freeze. Now retrace your steps, maybe a few paces back toward the tram stop. Turn slightly toward the Library Building. At the right time of year, standing in just the right spot and with the wind in your favor, you should be looking at–and catching the aroma of–one of our true gems of autumn foliage.
At the peak of its fall change, the katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) is covered in nodding sprays of glowing apricot- and lemon-colored leaves, but what they give off is far and away the prime reason for its fandom. Like certain citrus trees, scooping up a handful of fallen leaves and crushing them in your hands releases a cloud of magnetic fragrance. However, you won’t pick up the pungent, spiced notes of a tropical fruit tree. Instead, you’ll find yourself wondering if you’ve wandered into one of Willy Wonka’s confectionery daydreams. The heart-shaped leaves smell exactly like cotton candy. Or maybe marshmallow fluff. Or caramel, or brown sugar, or vanilla pudding! Whatever this tree smells like to you, it’s seldom that a visitor to the NYBG fails to fall in love with the katsura’s rare talent.
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Posted in Around the Garden on November 6 2012, by Matt Newman
Sonia Uyterhoeven is the NYBG‘s Gardener for Public Education.
Early one morning in late October, I drove down Daffodil Hill and around to the Azalea Garden. As I was rounding the corner, I found myself arrested by one of my favorite late season fragrances. I can never describe the scent–some call it slightly spicy. All I can tell you is that it is clean, inviting, and has a pleasant perfume that isn’t overpowering. But one thing is certain: fragrance is an unexpected pleasure this late in the season.
The plant in question is our native witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), which was given its name because its forked branches were once used as divining rods. These “V” or “Y”-shaped branches were taken up by those who felt them useful in locating underground water–a practice formerly known as “water witching.”
A lovely benefit of anything that flowers in late fall (or winter through early spring) is that the flowers tend to last for a long time. The cool weather slows down senescence and the flowers linger for weeks. On warmer days, the fragrance wafts through the air, advertising to local insects that the flowers are there.
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Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on November 5 2012, by Matt Newman
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on November 4 2012, by Matt Newman
Just a little peek at the chrysanthemums creating rainbows in the Nolen Greenhouses for Living Collections, where the Bourke-Sullivan Display House is now holding this year’s Kiku creations. If you’ve never seen botanical sculpture at its most essential height, visit the Ozukuri, Kengai, Ogiku, and many other stylistic mum masterpieces from now through Sunday, November 18.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on November 3 2012, by Matt Newman
It’s been a trying week, but like everyone up here, we’re resilient! The Garden is open and many of our Fall Forest Weekend activities are still on the docket, so if you’re looking for a break from it all, join us Saturday and Sunday for some time under the fall foliage. Check out our event page for the current schedule!
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden on November 1 2012, by Ann Rafalko
After bracing for and weathering Hurricane Sandy you deserve a break. We are working hard to restore our beautiful grounds to their pre-storm splendor and safety for you, our visitors. We have already reopened many areas across our 250 acres–including the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden and the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. In addition, we have re-instituted Tram service, reduced the cost of Garden admission, and are carrying on with our Fall Forest Weekends! Now that the Metro-North Railroad has restored significant service on the Harlem Line, you can once again ride the train from Grand Central or points north and be let off at Botanical Garden Station, just across the street from our Mosholu Gate entrance.
To summarize:
– Many parts of the Garden are OPEN, including the Conservatory’s permanent collections, Children’s Adventure Garden, and more.
– All-Garden Pass admission is reduced 50% through Friday, making it just $10! Use code 9912 online to purchase your tickets. Reduced prices will also be honored on site.
– All-Garden Pass admission includes the Tram, Conservatory, and Adventure Garden.
– Come enjoy the splendor of Manolo Valdés‘ beautiful site-specific sculptures.
– Saturday and Sunday, join us in the Forest for Fall Forest Weekends! Explore the Thain Family Forest and immerse yourself in the magnificent colors of fall foliage. Tree-climbing demonstrations, guided tours, canoe trips on the Bronx River, and more make for an unforgettable autumn experience.
There’s fun and beauty to be had all weekend long. So come visit! It’s one of the best ways to support the NYBG as we tackle this herculean cleanup effort, and a walk around the Garden is just the thing to help erase cabin fever!
Get your tickets now! Use code 9912.
Posted in Around the Garden on October 31 2012, by Todd Forrest
In the aftermath of this week’s storm, people have been asking about the status of The New York Botanical Garden‘s living collections. We wanted to update you on the damage inflicted by the storm at the Botanical Garden.
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Hurricane Sandy caused significant damage to trees, fences, small structures, signs, and one building across the 250 acres of The New York Botanical Garden. While we are still assessing the damage, initial surveys reveal that over 100 native trees in the Forest and throughout the landscape, including some of our ancient and most magnificent oaks, were destroyed. Hundreds of mature pines, spruces, and firs in the Ross Conifer Arboretum and Benenson Ornamental Conifers and other irreplaceable collections of trees across the Garden were damaged. Over the next few days, curators and arborists will carefully inspect trees across the landscape for broken and damaged limbs and other substantial damage not immediately apparent after the storm.
Staff members of the Garden’s Operations and Horticulture Divisions began clean-up efforts even before the storm had moved inland. Their initial efforts focused on the clearing of roads and the removal of downed trees from buildings and structures. Certain areas of the Garden, including the Forest, the Azalea Garden, the Ross Arboretum, and the Benenson Ornamental Conifers will remain closed until the damage in these areas can be fully assessed and paths and roadways cleared.
While Sandy’s fierce winds have altered the tree canopy that lends singular grace and beauty to our historic landscape, we are working hard to re-establish the calm beauty that makes the Garden an oasis for all New Yorkers, particularly during trying times. Many sections of the Garden, including the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, will re-open to the public on Thursday, November 1.
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on October 29 2012, by Matt Newman
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on October 28 2012, by Matt Newman
Breaking up the Halloween…ness? …with some refreshing fall finds from the Native Plant Garden. We’re still photographing these behind a closed gate for now, but you can trust in my promise that this complex collection of displays and environments will be bliss central when it opens in 2013.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
