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Naturally Beautiful: Garden-to-Dressing-Table Skincare

Posted in Learning Experiences on July 13 2011, by Ann Rafalko

Calendula officinalis 'Radio'
Calendula officinalis, a flower popular in herbal skin preperations. (Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)

Did you catch that story in the New York Times last week about the “modern apothecary?” Did you think to yourself, “That’s all well and good, but what I’d really like to do is learn to make my own skincare?” And why shouldn’t you? You grow your own organic vegetables, cook them with carefully selected ingredients from locally sourced purveyors, you take your vitamins, drink herbal tisanes, and do yoga; you take special care of your inside, so why shouldn’t you take special care of the outside, too? And what could be more natural, or more local, than skincare you make yourself, from ingredients you grow yourself? Forget “farm-to-table!” You’re all about “garden-to-dressing-table!” But where to start?

On Tuesday, July 26, the Garden’s Adult Education department will be hosting a workshop at our beautiful Midtown Center, Herbal Spa Workshop: A Natural Approach to Beautiful Skin, from 6:15-8:15 p.m. The class, taught by herbalist Ursula Basch, will teach you how to use natural products to make herbal clay masks, moisturizers, lip balms, skin toners, foot scrubs, and more. You will also design your own essential oil blend and have the opportunity to sample various products, including the herbal clay mask, so dress appropriately! The class is $61 for Members, $65 for non-Members. The price includes a $20 materials fee.

So grab a girlfriend and learn about the next big trend in locavorism! The Midtown Center is located just two blocks away from Bryant Park, so after your evening of pampering, you can make an evening of it, and head over to the park and listen to live jazz under the stars (see listing for July 26).

Wandering Down Seasonal Walk

Posted in What's Beautiful Now on July 1 2011, by Ann Rafalko

Seasonal Walk is an exuberant celebration of the seasons. Never the same two weeks in a row, this beautiful garden was designed by the famous landscape designers Piet Oudolf and Jacqueline van der Kloet. Bordering the Garden Cafe and the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, Seasonal Walk in the early Summer is a dazzling display of sun-loving dahlias, garden phlox, and a range of lilies. At the eastern end of the walk an assortment of plants that thrive in the shade like ferns and astilbes can be found under a stand of trees. Keep your eyes open for the many different kinds of butterflies that flock to this colorful, beautiful garden.

Seasonal Walk, June 30
Seasonal Walk, June 30
Astilbe
Astilbe
Fern
Fern
Dahlia 'Arabian Night'
Dahlia 'Arabian Night'
Hymenocallis 'Sulphur Queen'
Hymenocallis 'Sulphur Queen'
Trumpet Lily 'African Queen'
Trumpet Lily 'African Queen'
Easter Lily 'Snow Queen' - Lilum longiflorum
Easter Lily 'Snow Queen' - Lilum longiflorum
Asiatic Lily 'Pink Twinkle'
Asiatic Lily 'Pink Twinkle'

Photos 2, 4, and 5 by Ivo M. Vermeulen.

An Early-Summer Stroll Down Daylily Walk

Posted in What's Beautiful Now on June 30 2011, by Ann Rafalko

Today I sauntered down Daylily Walk at lunchtime. Daylily Walk runs from Perennial Way (the road that goes in front of the Conservatory), past the Garden Cafe, down a little hill, and then takes a jag to the left running parallel to Garden Way (the road in front of the Library Building where the Greenmarket is held) (map). Daylily Walk is currently a riot of color and a study in fabulous plant names. Come check out the amazing diversity of daylilies!

See more amazing dayliles after the jump.