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Plant Talk

Inside The New York Botanical Garden

This Weekend: Treat Dad to Bands and Brews

Posted in Programs and Events on June 13 2014, by Matt Newman

The NYBG WeekendBeer, bands, BBQ. In a nutshell, that should be enough to give you an idea of what’s going on this Saturday and Sunday at the Garden. We’re opening up Daffodil Hill for a Father’s Day weekend to remember with a stacked roster of great Americana bands, visiting samplers, BBQ for sale, and plenty of craft beer offerings to help you toast the coming summer warmth!

While our Big Backyard BBQ is our spotlight event (grab tickets in advance if you can!), there are a number of other activities taking place at NYBG over the weekend for those who are raring for some exploration. The Rose Garden’s still popping, making it the perfect time to jump on a tour. And if you’re of a mind to break out your binoculars, Debbie Becker’s weekly Bird Walk takes place at 11 a.m. this Saturday. We’re even holding our Three Billy Goats Gruff family concert for anyone with kids to entertain.

From our Groundbreakers activities to the growing vegetables in our Family Garden, the end of spring is beyond lively. See you on grounds!

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Jazz Age Garden Parties Are Nearly Here!

Posted in Programs and Events on June 12 2014, by Lansing Moore

Driely S Jazz Age Party
(Photo by Driely S)

Thursday, June 26, is the first of only three very special Jazz Age Garden Parties here at NYBG! This summer, we’re whisking you away to the world of Groundbreakers with the classic jazz of the Roaring Twenties—and, of course, specialty cocktails to set the mood. With only three chances to spend a cool summer evening in the glitzy glamor of the Garden, don’t waste a moment reserving your tickets now.

The season’s unbeatable music comes courtesy of Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra. Conductor, composer, musician, and singer Michael Arenella and his seven-piece band are the premier Jazz Age dance band in New York, and the originators of the celebrated Governor’s Island Lawn Party. Now he’s bringing his swinging style to NYBG! Dance lessons will be taking place from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., so you can dance the Charleston and other styles under the stars.

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Gems of Summer: Stewartia

Posted in Around the Garden on June 11 2014, by Jaime Morin

Jaime Morin is The New York Botanical Garden’s Assistant Curator in horticulture. She works with the plant records and curation teams to help keep the garden’s information on its living collections up to date. She also oversees the details of the garden’s Living Collections Phenology Project.

Stewartia rostrata
Stewartia rostrata

Ever since my journey into the world of plant obsession began, one my favorite times of the year has always been what I affectionately call “Stewartia season.” This delightful stretch always reminds me of summers spent immersed in unique plant collections, but always being drawn back to this one fascinating group of plants.

The genus Stewartia contains a handful of large shrub and tree species native to eastern Asia and two indigenous to the southeastern United States. Stewartia species all have beautiful white flowers with an obvious tuft of anthers in their center. Their floral show takes place in early to mid-summer, but many species also put on a fantastic display of orange to crimson fall foliage, extending the plants’ season of interest.

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Morning Eye Candy: A Spin on the Carousel

Posted in Around the Garden on June 11 2014, by Matt Newman

I happened to be catching up with Ivo by the Stone Mill when one of our groundskeepers rolled by on his way to the next job site. “Have you seen the mountain laurel yet?” he asked. “I’ve never actually seen it in bloom until now. Worth the wait, though.”

We’re all on the look-out for good camera fodder here.

Kalmia latifolia 'Carousel'

Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia ‘Carousel’) by the Stone Mill – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen

Great American Gardens

Posted in Exhibitions on June 10 2014, by Sonia Uyterhoeven

Sonia Uyterhoeven is the NYBG’s Gardener for Public Education.

The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory's moon gate, part of NYBG's evocation of the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden
The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory’s moon gate, part of NYBG’s evocation of the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden

For the opening weekend of Groundbreakers: Great American Gardens and The Women Who Designed Them (May 17–September 7), curator Sam Watters led his audience back in time with a lecture entitled “Picturing a Beautiful America.” The show celebrates the work of some of America’s most influential women in early 20th century landscape architecture, design, and garden photography, and Watters’ talk set about laying the historical foundation on which these women and their works were established.

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