Plant Talk

Inside The New York Botanical Garden

Winter Prep: Heading Off the Coming Chill

Posted in Horticulture on December 3 2014, by Sonia Uyterhoeven

Sonia Uyterhoeven is NYBG‘s Gardener for Public Education.


RoseWith Thanksgiving and the season’s first snow behind us, the reality of winter is now upon us. At this time of year the rose garden is closed to the public, but the gardeners are still busy working. Fall clean-up is important!

As every rose gardener knows, the queen of flowers is particularly susceptible to black spot. The spores of the fungus will happily over-winter in the soil around your roses. It is paramount to clean up all the diseased foliage and be meticulous about keeping the area around the rose clean.

Once our roses start to go dormant for the winter and the ground starts to cool, we surround the base of the plants with mulch. The mulch acts like a winter Parka, protecting the base of the rose during the cold winter months. We use a finely shredded bark mulch that doesn’t get matted down into large clumps. “Hilling” or mounding mulch around the base of our roses to a depth of 6 to 8 inches provides ample protection during the cold winter months.

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Embark On A Musical Journey with The Winter Harmonies Concert Series

Posted in Programs and Events on December 2 2014, by Lansing Moore

Cassatt Quartet
The Cassatt Quartet

When the Garden is at the height of its wintertime beauty, the grounds are best enjoyed with poetry and music. This Sunday, December 7, the Winter Harmonies Concert Series begins with a special performance by the Cassatt String Quartet entitled “American Journey.” These talented artists were recently interviewed alongside the series curator and composer Laura Kaminsky for Living Arts in Westchester. Watch the video and hear the inspiration behind this special travel-themed performance that will coincide with NYBG’s Holiday Train Show®.

Laura Kaminsky will moderate post-performance conversations with the artists after each performance in Ross Hall, so audience members for this Sunday’s special performance will be able to hear directly from these acclaimed musicians. This unique interaction of folk and classical music is not to be missed!

Le Train Bleu
Le Train Bleu

Laura Kaminsky then returns December 21 with another leading ensemble, Le Train Bleu, for a dynamic performance of Bach and Vivaldi entitled “A Winter’s Journey.” Get your tickets now for one of these two special musical performances and enjoy a live musical experience alongside your visit to the Holiday Train Show®!

Morning Eye Candy: First Snow

Posted in Photography on November 29 2014, by Matt Newman

The first snow of the season came down this past Wednesday, dusting the Garden with a festive—if wet—hint at what’s to come.

First snow

In the Visitor Center – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen

This Weekend: More Ways to Enjoy the Season

Posted in Programs and Events on November 26 2014, by Lansing Moore

NYBG holiday train show a cappellaHere’s to a happy Thanksgiving! As you tuck in to a hearty feast and a well-earned holiday, consider bringing your loved ones for some quality time at the Garden. NYBG will be open November 28, 29, and 30 with a full schedule of seasonal tours and special programs surrounding our 23rd annual Holiday Train Show®—including live a cappella singing and screenings of holiday- and train-themed films. Spend the day after Thanksgiving at NYBG and explore the grounds in all their winter splendor with two one-day-only tours. The Fruit & Berry Tree Tour will highlight the many beautiful berries of the season, and our Winter Tree Tour is best way to take in NYBG’s winter wonderland of conifers and more. For anyone on grounds today to enjoy the city’s first snowfall of the season, our film screening will feature Union Pacific (1939) in Ross Hall.

Don’t forget, there are still eight Bar Car Nights left this season! Last weekend’s kick-off was a great success, so get your tickets now before they sell out.

Head below for Saturday and Sunday’s schedule of film screenings, along with the rest of the weekend’s programming schedule.

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