The uncommonly cultivated cobweb flower (Platycrater arguta) is one of many rare Asian woodland species grown in the Azalea Garden. A hydrangea relative, this species is native to southern Japan, as well as a small range in eastern China, where it is considered threatened.
This deciduous shrub reaches about 3-4’ feet high and wide and is sure to stump many a horticulturalist with its lovely, unique blooms. Four-petaled white flowers form a balloon shape before opening to display abundant, large yellow stamens. Floral bracts persist into fall, adding texture while the leaves fade to yellow.
If you can find this plant at a nursery, it might be a perfect addition for a partial shaded, well-drained spot in your garden. At the center of the Azalea Garden you’ll find this lovely, well-behaved species in bloom right near the overlook.
Tomorrow’s Greenmarket will feature a very special herb demonstration by the community gardeners at Bronx Green-Up. Come with questions and pick up a gardening tip sheet to bring home! Each week features a special educational component. Check the upcoming schedule and see what useful tips and tricks you can bring home along with your groceries.
And don’t bother putting together a shopping list. The fun of the Greenmarket is coming to visit and planning your recipes around what’s in season. There’s a wealth of variety right now, including cherries, tomatoes, red and golden beets, and raspberries. Our specialty vendors also bring delicious baked goods every Wednesday to NYBG, such as assorted pies and tarts, cakes, brownies, and biscotti.
With the menus announced for our upcoming Family Dinners with Mario Batali’s Chefs—beginning Sunday, July 27—there is no end of inspiration for fresh summer recipes! One popular classic makes use of two ingredients in season at the moment—strawberries and rhubarb! Click through for a recipe to make an Old-Fashioned Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp to share with loved ones.
The word “thyme” is derived from two possible Greek sources. One term means “to fumigate”—in ancient Greece, thyme was burnt at temples as incense, owing to its nice balsam odor. The other possible source is an association with courage. This association lasted from ancient Greece through the Middle Ages, when women gave knights gifts embroidered or decorated with thyme to inspire bravery.
These days, thyme—with its aromatic oils–is usually associated with invigoration. It is an asset in any landscape and makes a wonderful woody ground cover or a lawn alternative, as it is now commonly known. The diminutive pale pink or lavender flowers are a magnet for bees and help them to produce a wonderful honey. A large industry exists for extracting the herb’s essential oils. These oils are primarily distilled in the South of France, where the arid climate suits the plant’s Mediterranean temperament perfectly.
Some varieties of thyme have their place in the kitchen while others are more suited for the landscape. The most popular thyme is English thyme (Thymus vulgaris). English thyme is not native to England—the Romans introduced the herb—but the Brits took it on as their own. It has the strong, distinctive flavor that we most associate with the herb today.
As summer heats up, the Native Plant Garden moves into the height of its beauty. What makes this exquisitely designed showcase of flora native to Northeastern North America particularly stunning is that its beauty is the beauty of our own region.
This ever more colorful collection is a haven for pollinators of all stripes—and spots!—from bees to butterflies. There are many blossoms and types of foliage to admire, from the waving fronds of the shady ferns to the magenta spots of Bush’s poppymallow (Callirhoe bushii) dotting the sunny meadow.
Click through for some eye-popping images from the meadow and elsewhere in the Native Plant Garden!
Nothing beats a walk along the water on a hot day, but there’s no swimming in this pool, no matter how tempting. Beneath the sleek design of the Native Plant Garden is a thriving wetland habitat.
This humid week is finally giving way to a pleasant weekend, and it is the perfect time to visit NYBG! Groundbreakers continues to guide visitors through the monumental history of America’s gardening culture, and the summer season brings more color to the grounds each day.
Tomorrow’s Greenmarket will feature a very special herb demonstration by the community gardeners at 
