Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Posted in What's Beautiful Now on January 31 2020, by Matt Newman
You can almost feel the hot desert sun radiating from these flowers.
In the desert houses of the Haupt Conservatory right now, you’ll find respite from the chill of winter with these blooming aloes (Aloe ferox), standing tall and colorful amid the cacti and other arid-weather plants that call these collections home.
[Not a valid template]Posted in What's Beautiful Now on January 9 2020, by Matt Newman
Warm, colorful, humid. That’s the Haupt Conservatory in January. The living collections of our historic glasshouse thrive thanks to the balmy temperatures it maintains year-round, and there are plenty of fascinating botanical treasures to be found—from the neon structures of the neotropical blueberries to the spore-carrying sori of the ferns.
[Not a valid template]Posted in Garden News on May 3 2019, by Plant Talk
The Palms of the World Gallery is one of the Conservatory’s 11 interconnected galleries, each featuring a different botanical habitat and specimens from around the globe. The Gallery displays New World and Old World palms, cycads, ferns, warmclimate monocots, and a variety of ground covers. Several specimens were cultivated from seed collected by NYBG horticulturists and scientists in the field.
As with all its permanent collections, the Garden is committed to the rigorous stewardship of the living plant collections in the Conservatory, entitled A World of Plants. Collections in glasshouses present a unique set of horticultural opportunities and challenges. The Conservatory provides protection from the elements, warm temperatures, and high humidity, so plants may be cultivated that would not survive outdoors in New York City. Adjustments are made throughout the year, including shading in summer to prevent temperatures inside the Conservatory from becoming too warm for visitors and unbearable for plants.
Because its habitats are designed specifically for palms and other warm-climate plants, the Conservatory requires its horticulturists to monitor plant vigor and ensure healthy soils through periodic rejuvenation and replenishment. Palms present a particular set of challenges when cultivated indoors because most varieties have primary growing points on top of their stems. Some inevitably grow too tall for the enclosure, requiring their removal and replacement with younger specimens.
The palm dome restoration provides NYBG curators the opportunity to perform essential horticultural work on the collection housed in the Palms of the World Gallery. Marc Hachadourian, NYBG’s Director of Glasshouse Horticulture and Senior Curator of Orchids, and Tropical Plant Curator Emerita Francisca Coelho developed a plan that preserves and protects important specimens while introducing new plants. Nearly 180 plants in the Gallery will be preserved in place or transplanted during the restoration process.
This article originally appeared as part of the Spring-Summer 2019 issue of Garden News, NYBG’s seasonal newsletter. For further reading, view the issue online and discover a sampling of stories about current programs and undertaking at the Garden.
Posted in Around the Garden on April 16 2019, by Lloyd Jones
Lloyd Jones is an Assistant Gardener in NYBG’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.
Within the Lowland Rain Forest house of the NYBG’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory exists the only orchid genus from which a culinary product is derived. Native to the tropical Americas, it is widely cultivated in tropical climates throughout the world. Vanilla planifolia is an orchid of unusual orchid characteristics, but provides a popular, gratifying flavor. The opposite and alternate foliage is flat, thus the specific epithet “planifolia.” It is classified as an epiphytic/terrestrial tropical vine with aerial roots for support and to collect nutrients and water. This plant thrives in moist, humid, and warm conditions with filtered light. The name vanilla comes from the Spanish word vainilla, meaning small pod.
This year I have personally counted 13 clusters of flower buds, which are now unfolding one bud per cluster, per day. The flower color ranges from light green to pale yellow, and, because the native pollinator is not present outside the orchid’s native range, it must be hand pollinated during the morning of the first 24 hours when they flowers are receptive. For both educational and collections purposes, we plan on hand pollinating the flowers as they successively open. If pollination is successful, we expect to see the familiar vanilla pods forming over the next few months. Come visit and witness the origin of one the world’s favorite flavors!
Posted in Gardens and Collections on March 14 2019, by Lloyd Jones
Lloyd Jones is an Assistant Gardener in NYBG’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.
In the heart of the Bronx remains hidden an unlikely treasure, an oasis of lush vegetation untouched by the city. The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory houses one of the world’s most diverse living collections of plants. As one of the gardeners who cares for this green paradise, I’d like to invite you to stroll through the Lowland Rain Forest, home to many plants with extraordinary characteristics.
One of the world’s rarest plants is Osa pulchra. Sadly, only 30 known specimens exist in the wild in Costa Rica and Panama. However, it is cultivated in several botanical gardens, including NYBG. The Garden’s specimens have been growing here since 2006 when we received them in an exchange with The Huntington Botanical Garden in San Marino, California. The delicate trumpet-shaped flowers, similar to those of Brugmansia, are quite a sight to enjoy, and I’ll share with you an insider tip: the best time to experience the flowers is when the sun passes overhead and you can see the flowers from underneath. You will find Osa pulchra blooming in the lowland rain forest, midway down the path on the courtyard side of the building.
Posted in Horticulture on February 16 2018, by James Sigala
James Sigala is a horticulturist in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at The New York Botanical Garden.
It’s a wonderful time of the year to visit the desert glasshouses at NYBG’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. In the African Desert collection, a colorful and exotic array of inflorescences awaits you, such as the giant canary-yellow flowers adorning the 10-foot-tall Aloe africana, the tangerine-pink flora of the Aloe chabaudii, and everything in between—including the beautiful African jade plant, which is also covered with blossoms.
It is still too early to marvel at the American Desert in full bloom (typically early April), however, just like the African Desert glasshouse, there is a plethora of otherworldly leaf and plant structures to study and enjoy. The sunshine also adds to the visionary experience, by illuminating the spines of certain cacti. All in all, the warmth of the sun and the enchanting arid landscape of the Conservatory desert glasshouses create a wonderful winter escape.
[Not a valid template]Posted in Photography on July 5 2016, by Matt Newman
The lotus blossoms are the stars of early July. Find them presiding over the water lilies in the Conservatory Pools.
Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) in the Conservatory Pools – Photo by Brian Sullivan
Posted in Photography on June 30 2016, by Matt Newman
NYBG is sustained by supporters like you, and until 11:59 p.m. tonight your donation will be matched dollar for dollar thanks to several generous Board Members and our Urban Oasis Challenge. From conserving the plants of our world to continuing our extensive efforts in science, horticulture, and education for all ages, it’s your contributions that make it all possible.
This is the last chance to double your support in 2016. Thank you all for being a part of our 125-year history!
The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory
Posted in Photography on May 16 2016, by Matt Newman
Delphinium in the Haupt Conservatory – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in What's Beautiful Now on May 13 2016, by Matt Newman
After months of preparation and a frenetic few weeks in the Haupt Conservatory, where our horticulturists were buzzing about with hollyhocks, poppies, and foxgloves, opening weekend for Impressionism: American Gardens on Canvas has finally arrived. And with the mid-spring flux of wildly blooming flowers and greening trees surrounding us, it’s a pretty good time to get reacquainted with NYBG!
Join us Saturday and Sunday for the Opening Weekend Celebration, featuring live music, plein-air painting, craft activities, dance, and a special cake tasting by some of New York’s top bakeries. It’s going to be an incredible run, and the show is only just getting started.