Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Posted in Photography on April 11 2013, by Ann Rafalko
April this year, not otherwise
Than April of a year ago
Is full of whispers, full of sighs,
Of dazzling mud and dingy snow;
Heapticas that please you so
Are here again, and butterflies.
Song of a Second April ~ Edna St. Vincent Millay
Posted in Photography on April 8 2013, by Ann Rafalko
Friend of the Garden Joel Kroin usually turns his pinhole camera on the Garden’s stark winter landscapes. But even he isn’t immune to the siren call of the tropical Conservatory, as evidenced by this beautiful shot.
Photo by Joel Kroin
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on April 7 2013, by Matt Newman
They may not put on a show of the usual “spring spectrum”–pinks, bright yellows, all the pastels of new growth. Honestly, they’re a little menacing with their velvety, claret petals. But the flagrant elegance of these hellebores comes in handy when the bright green varieties need balancing out.
Helleborus orientalis ‘Optimism’ — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Photography on April 6 2013, by Ann Rafalko
While you may remain unconvinced that it is in fact spring, we’re already thinking about summer and dressing the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory in her seasonal coat of whitewash. Because, even though the temperatures may not yet be sweltering, the sun’s radiative properties are noticeably stronger already!
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Photography on April 4 2013, by Ann Rafalko
I wonder if the sap is stirring yet,
If wintry birds are dreaming of a mate,
If frozen snowdrops feel as yet the sun
And crocus fires are kindling one by one:
Sing, robin sing;
I still am sore in doubt concerning Spring.
The First Spring Day ~ Christina Rossetti
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on April 3 2013, by Matt Newman
Game on in the Home Gardening Center! The violets are looking antsy for visitors.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on April 2 2013, by Matt Newman
Photos by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Photography on April 1 2013, by Ann Rafalko
The palest of colors are beginning to show in the soon-to-open Native Plant Garden.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Photography on March 30 2013, by Ann Rafalko
Should you partake in an Easter-themed perambulation down Fifth Avenue tomorrow, may your bonnet be as graceful and light as this delicate daffodil!
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on March 29 2013, by Matt Newman
Keep an eye out for these saucer-shaped oddities in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, flaunting reds, blues, and luscious purples! Passion flowers are perhaps most fascinating for the fact that, despite looking like some of the most exotic blooms in the glasshouse, they’re really very common–there are around 400 species in their genus, many of which grow along roadsides in the U.S. In this case, “diamond in the rough” sounds about right.
And growing passion flowers at home is as easy as giving your vine or shrub a pot to grow in. Be sure that you know what you’ve got, however. Many species are considered invasive depending on the region, so it’s best to check in with a local Cooperative Extension before committing to one breed or another.
Passiflora — Photos by Ivo M. Vermeulen