Recycled drain pipes used as planters in the Hampshire (U.K.) Garden of Pauline Thomas
By now your garden should be ablaze with color. If it’s not, and you’re finding that you have unsightly gaps in your border, don’t panic! There is still plenty of time for an easy fix: Add a container display to your garden! Don’t limit your container plantings only to the patio though, containers are also a great way to jazz-up any dull or quiet beds or borders you might have.
An attractive container display starts with a good foundation–a good looking container. Many containers these days are made of synthetic materials like poly resin and fiberglass. These materials are often transformed into believable reproductions of classic containers. Find one that suits your gardening style.
Wooden planters on the New York balcony of Devin A. Brown
If you are in the market for a rustic looking container try wood, faux wood or faux stone. If you prefer a more elegant look, then invest in terra cotta, faux terra cotta, reconstituted stone, or faux cast iron. Artistic souls will welcome the stunning array of colorful glazed pots as well as colorful lightweight synthetic substitutes that seem to be available everywhere these days. A few years ago I fell madly in love with a fiberglass reproduction of a bronze container that looked durable as well as lavish.
Colorful pots full of succlents in the Dallas patio garden of Shawn Ashmore
Maintaining appropriate moisture levels can be a challenge when gardening in containers, particularly if you like to escape for a few days during the summer. As common sense would dictate, the larger the container, the easier it is to keep it well-watered. There are many self-watering containers or contraptions on the market that you can outfit your container with. They are essentially water reservoirs that hold the water in the bottom of the container and slowly release it into the mix.
Another viable option is to add some of water retaining polymers or hydrogels to your potting mix. These polymers grab water from the soil, expand as they hydrate, hold onto the moisture, and then release it when the surrounding potting medium starts to dry. Friends of mine who plant narrow window boxes swear by them. Two brands that are easy to find are Terra Sorb® and Soil Moist™.
Whether you are placing your container in the garden or on your patio it is always advisable to raise it up onto bricks, blocks or feet to allow for good drainage. Next week we will take a look at some candidates for filling your lovely new containers.
The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
The New York Botanical Garden has officially signed on to be the exclusive U.S. partner of the International Garden Photographer of the Year contest (also known as IGPOTY). We couldn’t be more delighted! To celebrate our partnership, and our 120th anniversary, IGPOTY is even offering a special commendation for the best photograph taken here at the Garden. The winner will receive a free year’s Membership to NYBG.
For those new to IGPOTY, it is the world’s premier garden photography contest. The competition is a rolling program that follows the gardening year. The categories include: “Beautiful Gardens,” “Wildlife Havens,” “Breathing Spaces,” “Bountiful Earth,” “Trees Wood Forest,” “Fragile Landscapes,” and “Greening the City.” Entries for the sixth contest are now open, and must be received by November 30, 2011. Finalists will be announced in February 2012 and winners will be announced in April 2012.
Winners receive a monetary prize of £5,000 (approximately $8,000), are published in an annual book, and are displayed in a public exhibition at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and for the first time in the U.S. at The New York Botanical Garden. The fee for entering the competition, which covers the expense of mounting and touring the exhibition, is £10 (approximately $16) for four single images, or £25 (approximately $40) for a portfolio (a set of six themed images). The contest is open to all photographers, both professional and amateur. Photographers who are under 16 years old may enter for free. Learn more and register to submit photos here.
Above the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
In addition, there are other categories and awards. Themed, seasonal competitions, collectively called “4Seasons,” run throughout the year, with upcoming deadlines for the those themed categories on May 31, August 31, and November 30. “Spirit of the American Garden” is a standalone award with a cash prize that can be entered into any category mentioned above. Other standalone prizes include “Best Image of Kew” and the “Best Image of The New York Botanical Garden” to commemorate the Garden’s 120th anniversary.
Hardy Waterlily (photo by Michelle Longo)
One of the truly great things about the IGPOTY contest (aside from the amazing recognition and monetary prize) is the ability to ask for a critique of the photos you enter into the contest from the panel of judges. It takes the judges some time to give this feedback, but according to my contact at IGPOTY, it is one of the most satisfying aspects of the contest for both entrant and judge alike.
Japanese Anemone and Bee (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
In that pedagogical spirit and as an effort to help hone everyone’s skills, we will be hosting monthly themed contests on the NYBG Flickr Group Page. We’ll hold the first one in June. So in the meantime, we’re asking out shutterbug friends to head over to Flickr and to share the best picture they’ve ever taken at NYBG and to actively discuss the photos, what they love and where they see areas for improvement (but please play nicely). It’s fun to see what each person considers “best,” so please join in! To say that we’re thrilled by this amazing partnership would be an understatement. We hope you’re as excited as we are. Happy snapping everyone!
I just got back from a walk around the Antique Garden Furniture Show and Sale, and boy are my arms tired! No, no. I didn’t fly over to the Conservatory and back, but I did impulse purchase a rather heavy cast concrete statue for my very own garden that I had to carry back to my cubicle. The Show is chock full of all sorts of gorgeous things, so I thought I would throw together this highly subjective slide show of some of the fascinating pieces that caught my eye.
I noticed one big trend: Bunnies are hot. Maybe it’s because it’s the Year of the Rabbit? Maybe it’s in the hope that placing one in your garden will scare the real ones away? I just can’t say. One thing I can say though, is don’t forget your checkbook. Many of the vendors cannot accept credit cards. Oh, and don’t worry. You won’t have to carry your own purchases as far as I did. The vendors are happy to hold onto your garden goodies until you can bring your car around.
The Antique Garden Furniture Show and Sale runs Friday, April 29 – Sunday, May 1; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The show is held in the tent behind the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. To get to the show, enter the Conservatory through the Palm Dome, then exit at the opposite side. Entrance to the Show is included in your All-Garden Pass. Happy shopping!
You’ve got heirloom vegetables, decades-old peonies, and compost that dates back at least several years . So what are you doing putting the latest tchotchke from the megamart in your garden? Come get inspired to decorate your garden with a vintage touch at the 19th Annual Antique Garden Furniture Show and Sale–the country’s original, largest, and most important venue for showing and selling authentic garden antiques–at The New York Botanical Garden. The show is held under the Conservatory Tent behind the landmark Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.
The show and sale kicks off on Thursday, April 28 with a Preview Party and Collector’s Plant Sale from 6-8 p.m. offering exclusive access to the sale before the public opening, as well as cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. (For information and tickets, please call 718.817.8775.)
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the show is open to the public and will feature 35 vendors, a welcome lounge with snacks and tea, afternoon wine tastings, and a host of experts on hand to answer all your questions and to offer tips for designing a beautiful garden.
Annie Novak at the Eagle Street Rooftop Farm (Photo courtesy of The Selby)
Annie Novak–urban farm evangelist, owner of Roof Top Services, children’s gardening advocate, and rooftop farmer–will “Raise the Roof!” tomorrow at the Garden at 10 a.m.
Novak, the Director of The New York Botanical Garden’s Children’s Gardening Program, the founder and director of Growing Chefs field-to-fork education program, and the co-founder of Eagle Street Rooftop Farm in Greenpoint, Brooklyn will discuss the challenges, successes, and lessons learned from farming the skyline.
From Tanzania to the Bronx, Novak is a local farmer with a global perspective. Having farmed in nine different countries and co-founded the nation’s first rooftop farm, Novak has amassed a wealth of experience gardening in any environment. She’ll share these experiences and lessons on Thursday, March 17 in NYBG’s Ross Lecture Hall for the final installment of the 11th Annual Winter Lecture Series. Buy tickets now at nybg.org/AdultEd.
There’s another photography contest afoot … but not ours this time.
IGPOTY: The International Garden Photographer of the Year contest is getting set to announce their overall winner, which is a really big deal (the winner of the top prize for a single image receives £5,000 or more than $8,000). In the run-up to the big announcement, IGPOTY is posting the finalists in several categories including Plant Portraits, People in the Garden, and Garden Views. Commendations are also being given for finalists in the Portfolio Category, and to the YGPOTY (Young Garden Photographer of the Year). But it’s the two special awards: the Best Image of Kew (IGPOTY’s partner) and the Spirit of the American Garden that we’re really keen on. The photograph of Kew is simply stunning, and one of the finalists in the Spirit of the American Garden was shot just across the city at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden!
Bluebells in Brooklyn - photograph by Ben Miflin
We think IGPOTY is a great contest, and that the quality of photographs is simply amazing! Entries are being accepted now for the fifth IGPOTY contest. There is a fee to enter, but the prizes and advice (all contestants are able to request professional feedback about their images after the end of the contest), the opportunity to see your photo in a professional exhibition and in a book are totally worth the price! We’re hoping to announce a fun partnership with the IGPOTY folk soon, so until that time take a look at this contest’s winners, and keep snapping!
A good lecture can serve as a catalyst for change, and this year’s 11th Annual Winter Lecture Series at The New York Botanical Garden should send you away with a lot to think about, and some serious tools for precipitating change in your own community, city, or just our own backyard.
On Thursday, February 17, garden designer, award-winning author, photographer, naturalist, and teacher C. Colston Burrell will talking about ”Native Plants and Ecological Design.” Burrell will explore what actually makes a plant ”native,” the definition of ecological gardening, and the issues surrounding sustainable landscape design.
Last, but certainly not least, Annie Novak, urban farming evangelist and director of The New York Botanical Garden’s Children’s Gardening Program will ”Raise The Roof!” on Thursday, March 17. Novak is the founder and director of Growing Chefs field-to-fork education program, and the co-founder of Eagle Street Rooftop Farm in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and will discuss the challenges, successes, and lessons learned from farming the skyline.
And while you’re at the Garden, why not make a full day of it? Visit Caribbean Garden for a mini-vacation in the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory; snap a few pictures to enter into our photography contest; grab a bite from one of our two cafes dedicated to sustainable, local, tasty cuisine; and shop the Winter Sale at the Shop in the Garden.
Ken Greene, co-founder of the Hudson Valley Seed Library, is one of the most honest plant people we’ve ever met. Ken cares about plants in a way that is inspiring, moving, and intoxicating. At the Hudson Valley Seed Library he and his band of seedy friends are leading a full-blown local seed revolution. The Seed Library is a throwback to a time when seed sellers put fascinating pictures on their packages and pithy descriptions in their catalogs, to a time when every kitchen gardener saved his or her favorite seeds and passed them down from generation to generation. To that end, the Seed Library sells memberships (ed. note: we think a Seed Library membership makes a great holiday gift!) that offer discounts to those growers who return some of their seeds to the Library in an effort to expand the pool of Hudson Valley-grown varieties. Ken also commissions a group of local artists each year to illustrate beautiful Art Packs for a handful of varieties.
As you can tell, we really like Ken and the Seed Library (And we’re not alone. Check out this great profile from the New York Times). They’re helping preserve local plant diversity and educating a new generation, teaching them that gardening isn’t just a way to eat good food, it’s also a thoughtful act that resonates through generations. We were delighted when Ken agreed to share his list of “Favorite Things” for holiday giving. As you’ll see, Ken always has seeds on his mind. Who knew seeds could act as inspiration for such beautiful gifts?
Landscape Design Alumni Give Back in Honor of Fellow Student
Valerie D’Antonio holds a Certificate in Landscape Design from The New York Botanical Garden’s Continuing Education program and is principal and owner of D’Antonio Landscape Designs, Inc.
The principle of genius loci, a Latin phrase indicating the spirit of a place, is one that landscape designers use to get a sense of a space before they begin to create a garden.
The idea is that every space has its own unique qualities and atmosphere, factors that should be respected during design. There is a feeling one gets when experiencing the intangibles that define a space. For example, a long, winding path through the woods can evoke a quiet, churchlike air.
This particular drizzly, cloudy day as I drive through the Conservatory Gate at The New York Botanical Garden, which I have done countless times, I am greeted by exuberant waves of giant striped grasses, blood-red coleus, and purple Russian sage, which light up the gray skies and fill me with excitement and anticipation.
Another wonderful space, the allée of majestic tulip trees, leads me to the beautifully restored Library building, which gives me a feeling of calm and wonder. The Jane Watson Irwin Perennial Garden, designed by Lynden B. Miller and punctuated with evergreen ‘Sky Pencil’ hollies, Japanese maple fall-colored leaves, and bird-favorite seed heads of perennial black-eyed Susans and coneflowers, is another one of the Garden’s spaces that exudes a feeling of lushness and beauty.
A good lecture can serve as a catalyst for change, and this year’s 
teacher 
The lectures are being held at the Garden in the 
