Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on March 9 2012, by Matt Newman
Something tells me our remaining odds of snow have dwindled to a scant few percentage points. Not that I’m trying to jinx us, or anything.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, The Orchid Show on March 8 2012, by Matt Newman
Far south in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, where the sandy flats aren’t struck through with creeks, you’ll find parcels of land dedicated to row upon row of scraggly bush. It’s the antithesis of a tropical landscape; like large-scale agriculture in the midwest, the skies over these tended fields are big and empty, with the occasional conifer contorting itself under and around a telephone wire near the bordering dirt roads. The pine woods sit further off.
In the winter it’s a vacant space save for the blueberry bushes. But these berries have a relative of a more tropical disposition. Perhaps not down in southern Jersey, but here in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, certainly.
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography, The Orchid Show on March 8 2012, by Matt Newman
It might not be structurally feasible, but aside from that tiny concern I can’t see why we’re not building everything with explosions of flowers.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, People, Photography on March 7 2012, by Matt Newman
The blog staff first happened upon Joel Kroin crouched at the entrance to the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden, a coffee pot in hand, cutting a peculiar figure as he went about his work so intently. Not only an NYBG Member but a horticulturist and artist, Joel’s interests carry him often between the greenhouse and the studio. He recently reconnected with us to share some of his latest photography.
His coffee pot (actually a makeshift pinhole camera) has since been replaced with a purpose-built wooden model, one that resembles an old-fashioned camera well enough to avoid any suspicion. “Certainly, the Garden staff have been less curious about what I am doing!” Joel says.
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on March 7 2012, by Matt Newman
Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Adult Education, Around the Garden, Gardening Tips, Learning Experiences on March 6 2012, by Joyce Newman
Meet Thomas Christopher, an expert on sustainable gardening practices, who will speak about “The Backyard Revolution” Thursday, March 15, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Thomas Christopher has been covering sustainable gardening practices as a writer and editor for more than 25 years, with articles in nationally-read publications including The New York Times and Martha Stewart Living. He is also a hands-on gardener who has started his own sustainable lawn consulting business, Greener Grasses/Sustainable Lawns, near Middletown, CT.
“I was staggered to learn the area of turf in the United States is as big as Virginia, Connecticut and two-thirds of Rhode Island. Grass is our largest irrigated crop, more than corn,” said Christopher in a recent Chicago Tribune article. “Grasses are a resource-soaking nightmare, but they don’t have to be.”
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography, The Orchid Show on March 6 2012, by Matt Newman
Outside, the chill factor is dawdling somewhere around “I can still see my breath.” Step into the Conservatory, however, and you’ll find yourself closer to the equator. The Orchid Show is our little slice of summer in the tropics.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on March 5 2012, by Matt Newman
The paper bush’s common name belies its spring colors.
Edgeworthia chrysantha — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on March 4 2012, by Matt Newman
I post a lot of Japanese apricot photos during Morning Eye Candy, or at least more than amounts to fair and proper representation for all the Garden’s flowers. But just look at this picture:
Prunus mume ‘Matsurabara Red’ — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Exhibitions, The Orchid Show on March 2 2012, by Matt Newman
Even as big weekends go, this is a big weekend. The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory has gone through a complete metamorphosis over the past several weeks, with a dedicated team of horticulturists primping and preening a luxurious display thousands of orchids strong. As of tomorrow, Patrick Blanc’s careful designs will finally come to light for our guests to enjoy.
Beginning tomorrow, March 3, the doors of the tenth annual Orchid Show (yes, an entire decade) swing open to reveal the French master’s creations to the world. Everyone in New York should see this! Visit the Garden to find yourself surrounded by the artful flowers of the tropics, a virtual architecture of exotic leaves, petals, and vines swirling in and amongst each other. The diversity of orchids that now floods the space in sprays of color is impressive on its own, but the arrangement is simply breathtaking.