Kale, strawberries, beets, cherries, and all sorts of baked treats—it’s the return of the NYBG Greenmarket, and it’s not far off!
We’re exactly one week away from the kick-off of this summer favorite, which opens with offerings from Gajeski Produce, Meredith’s Bread, Red Jacket Orchards, and Acevedo’s Farm next Wednesday, June 22, just two days after the official start of the new season. From that point on, you can expect to see our vendor tents set up at the end of Tulip Tree Allée—right inside the Mosholu Gate—every Wednesday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., through late November.
A highlight of the Garden’s NYBG/125 Anniversary celebrations kicked off with a night of soaring trumpets, matchless tap, a glowing Manhattan skyline, and the heights of what might just be called the defining sound of New York City—really good jazz.
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra was on grounds last night with trumpeter and music director Wynton Marsalis for a performance in honor of our 125th year, taking the stage on the Conservatory Lawn to play for a sold out crowd of over 1,600 fans new and old. We were ecstatic to have the concert introduced by both Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., and the former U.S. Poet Laureate and current Poet Laureate of NYBG, Billy Collins, whose memorable reading set the tone for a night of incredible artistry. You can read his dedication here.
During the opening weekend celebration for Impressionism: American Gardens on Canvas, and in honor of our 125th Anniversary, I had the pleasure of being a judge for our first ever cake contest! We reached out to local bakeries and challenged them to create special anniversary cakes with the theme of nature, gardens, plants, and art—a broad theme that allowed for the creativity of these master bakers to shine through.
Judging was based on aesthetics and interpretation of the theme (not by tasting, unfortunately for me, though each bakery did supply a sheet cake for sampling). Having to rank these works of art was difficult, but between the public voting via text messages and the other two judges—Casey Barber and Jen Chung—we managed to narrow down our choices.
The Garden is an unmatched destination at any time of year, but this weekend is a special one nonetheless—the Cherry Valley trees are in blossom, the daffodils are nearing peak color, and the azaleas are just beginning to liven up for the season. And that’s not to mention the crabapples, which are stealing the limelight with their red, pink, and white blooms.
It’s all just in time for this week’s highlight—NYBG’s Daffodil & Wine Weekend. Join us for wine tastings and boundless spring beauty! And if you need a bigger push to get here this weekend, Kristin Schleiter has you covered:
Hundreds, thousands, millions of daffodils. (That’s the goal, anyway!) These sunny-faced beauties are blooming en masse throughout the Garden, lighting up Daffodil Hill, Daffodil Valley, and so many spaces in between, turning our 250 acres in New York City into the quintessential spring landscape.
The best way to experience it, of course, is with a glass of wine in hand—red, white, whatever your taste, we’ll have something to pique your palette this coming weekend, April 23 & 24. Our Daffodil & Wine Weekend is a great opportunity to take in the beauty of early spring, not to mention the good-and-getting-better weather.
While you’re here, purchase a wine sampling glass for a few dollars and visit a fleet of attending New York State vintners offering local wine tastings, winemaking demonstrations, and other presentations on their craft.
NYBG will be open for regular hours on Monday, March 28, with three days of programs and tours for visitors—so plan your first spring outing of the year!
Inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, The Orchid Show: Orchidelirium continues to dazzle visitors with its color and fragrance, but the outdoor collections are catching up fast! The magnolias reach their peak bloom this weekend, while rhododendron, daffodils, and more spring blooms appear each day. The Rock Garden also reopens this weekend for the season, so come admire the cascade and alpine flowers of this secluded garden.
The Orchid Show: Orchidelirium continues to great acclaim, along with a new season of our popular event series of cocktail evenings with live music, Orchid Evenings. As part of the LGBT @ NYBG outreach initiative, next Thursday, March 24 will be our next LGBT Night. For this special Orchid Evening we have partnered with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce NY (NGLCCNY) and The LOFT, The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Services Center to create a festive and welcoming space for our friends in the LGBT community.
Come enjoy the thousands of orchids filling our landmark Enid A. Haupt Conservatory alongside Brooklyn-based DJ SpaceOnJason, with drinks and light bites available for purchase. This special night will feature live performances by Samba New York! evoking Brazil’s celebrated dance. Bring your friends and colleagues for the perfect group outing. There is no better way to admire this stunning exhibition in all its color and fragrance.
View photos below from recent Orchid Evenings, and join us for LGBT @ NYBG at The Orchid Show!
This weekend, NYBG is thrilled to host celebrated poet Ada Limón for a special poetry reading on Saturday, inspired by The Orchid Show: Orchidelirium. Admission is included with the purchase of an All-Garden Pass, so any and all visitors to the exhibition are encouraged to attend.
Tomorrow is also the first of the season’s Orchid Evenings, so get your tickets and take in the splendor of The Orchid Show: Orchidelirium after hours with cocktails, refreshments, a live DJ, and expert-led talks. View complete details below regarding this weekend’s tours, family programs, evening events, and more!
This weekend is the grand opening of The Orchid Show: Orchidelirium! This year’s exhibition brings visitors through the thrilling history of “orchidelirium”—the Victorian-era orchid craze that led high-profile orchid collectors to spend astronomical sums accumulating rare specimens of these flowers from across the globe. Intrepid explorers met this demand with ever more daring and dangerous orchid-hunting expeditions. Pass through thousands of orchids in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and follow the story, while understanding more about NYBG’s ongoing role as a leading orchid conservator, rehabilitating orchids still being seized by customs at international borders in this day and age.
If you’re looking for a weekend escape, come to your urban oasis at NYBG. This weekend is the final opportunity to experience Wild Medicine in the Tropics in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory–housing 11 distinct habitats from around the world. When you come for your visit, you may notice some work being done at the Conservatory, that’s because we’re gearing up for this year’s Orchid Show: Orchidelirium–the most thrilling exhibition yet–opening on February 27.
And there’s plenty to do with the kids at the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Take the little ones on a winter adventure where they’ll learn about the wonders of plants and animals in winter with fun activities such as creating bark rubbings, counting tree rings, and crafting a bud necklaces.
It may be winter, but the Garden is still thriving with life. Tour the grounds with expert guides and learn about the beauty and the majesty of winter trees. This week’s Winter Trees tour will also be accompanied by an ASL interpreter. Continue reading for the full schedule for this weekend at NYBG.
Kale, strawberries, beets, cherries, and all sorts of baked treats—it’s the return of the NYBG Greenmarket, and it’s not far off!
