The magnolia flowers peppering the trees outside the Library Building tell the story a bit better than this wintry rain: spring has arrived, and it’s not going anywhere! Rhododendrons perk in the Azalea Garden, the Home Gardening Center looks a little more like its old self, and keen eyes can spot the nascent greens of young leaves on the tree branches. A more telling signal for the seasonal transition is the sound of the Fountain of Life’s familiar burble.
We’re going into this weekend carrying sunny thoughts piled with excitement, not least because we’re once again on board for two more Orchid Evenings. And while this Saturday’s gathering (as well as that of April 20!) is completely sold out, there are still tickets available for an impromptu cocktail during tonight’s added event! (That would be Friday, April 12.) So have a look at our ticket page and reserve yours while there’s still room, as they’re going fast.
For daytime visitors, of course, the spring scenery is an event in its own right. Just the other day I was out enjoying the thrill of the hunt, so to speak–walking the paths in search of season’s first flowers. The daffodils, I might add, are blowing up throughout our 250 acres. But it’s even more fun sussing out the less populous arrivals, like the first tulips cropping up in the Perennial Garden. For those who’d rather have a primer of what’s happening where, our What’s Beautiful Now post puts up a pretty thorough rundown.
Spot the long nectar spur of this Darwin’s Star Orchid (Angraecum sesquipedale)
Orchids are wildly fascinating. Whether you enjoy them on a purely aesthetic level or delve more deeply into the evolution and specialization of certain species, you cannot help but draw a deep sense of satisfaction from these plants. For natural pollinators of orchids however, the “orchid experience” can prove the best of times or the worst of times, depending on which flower attracts their attention. To that end, this is a tale of two orchids.
Perhaps you’ve heard of the legendary Darwin’s Orchid, Angraecum sesquipedale. This lovely Madagascar native’s large, star-shaped flowers are annual jaw-droppers in the NYBG’s Orchid Show, often drawing throngs of eager fans and photographers. As the story goes, Charles Darwin studied the narrow, 10-15” long, nectar-filled spur that hangs from the rear of each flower, surmising that whichever creature fed on the nectar (and subsequently pollinated the orchid) must posses a proboscis of truly epic proportion. His hypothesis was largely ignored or ridiculed, leaving the mystery of the Angraecum pollinator to remain unsolved for decades. Unfortunately, Darwin would not survive to see his theory substantiated.
It’s a double whammy for the cocktail crowd this weekend as we launch into our Orchid Show excitement with back-to-back Orchid Evenings, running both tonight (April 5) and Saturday, April 6. That’s twice as many opportunities to see thousands upon thousands of mystifying blooms under the glass of a Conservatory dressed to the nines with ambiance. And if the flowers, mood lighting, and chill grooves don’t set the tone for the perfect night out, I have no doubt the cocktails will drive it all home.
While the April 6 Orchid Evening is completely sold out for incoming visitors, those with tickets in hand will be happy to know that Jack from Brooklyn is kitting us out with one of the most deliciously unique cocktails in the five boroughs, using their very own Sorel–a hibiscus liqueur–to stage the many flavors. But if you don’t yet have a ticket, there’s no call for tears–our first of several new additions to the Orchid Evening schedule launches tonight. Our bartender will be slinging “Vanilla Gales” for the first-of-the-weekend crowd, an orchid-inspired take on the Dark & Stormy that kicks this sparkling rum drink up into the stratosphere.
Tickets are still available for tonight–April 5–if you’d like to join us for cocktails. But register quickly, as they’re moving just as fast! Check out our ticket page for available dates, both tonight and in the future.
For the daylight crowd, there’s just as much to see or do. The Orchid Show is in full swing throughout Saturday and Sunday, while the first of spring’s growth is coming out of hibernation across our 250 acres! Keep your eye out for the snowdrops, crocuses, hellebores and daffodils first on the scene to this sleepy change of season. And if you’re anywhere near the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden while you’re exploring, our staff will be diving headlong into the sowing of spring–they might even need a little help from passersby.
It was a little touch and go on the seasonal front over the last couple of weeks, but, with some nudging, spring seems to have settled on sticking with us! And though the hints of its arrival are subtle–crocuses, snowdrops, a few plum blossoms coloring the trees–temperatures in the mid-fifties don’t exactly scream “winter!” anymore, do they?
Because some of you are heading into a three-day Easter weekend, we figure it makes sense to skip the usual Monday downtime and open our doors to everyone. So if you happen to be in the city on April 1, pay us a visit! We’ll be running all of our usual Orchid Show events and activities throughout the day, and with the NYBG only twenty minutes away from Grand Central by the Metro North, there’s no excuse to veg’ out on the couch.
For the night owls among you, it’s also worth mentioning that our latest Orchid Evening kicks off this Saturday–and tickets are still available! But if you plan on joining us for an evening of cocktails and ambiance, I suggest registering quickly, as these spots rarely last long. Recent events have seen hundreds of nighttime visitors pass through our Conservatory doors, with more than a few romantic surprises between them. Check out our most recent video under the glasshouse roof!
Last but not least, I’ve got another piece of exciting news up my sleeve: the Rock Garden reopens this Saturday! It’s no easy thing to go through the whole of winter without access to this most zen of landscapes, but the reopening of the Rock Garden each March is made that much better with the return of warmer weather. When you stop by the ticket booth, see about getting an All-GardenPass for an opportunity to see what is–without fail–my favorite space in our 250 acres.
Even if you’re not looking at a long weekend, the start of spring (finally) is cause for some fanfare–and where better to ring in the warmth? See the full schedule of events below.
Cocktails, crocuses, and more cymbidiums than you can count? That’s a resounding “yes!” you’re hearing as we move into our first weekend of spring, kicking off in flirtatious fashion with the second in our ongoing series of Orchid Evenings. In fact, the first was such a runaway success that we’ve even added a few more nights to our upcoming rotation, just in time for this weekend’s event to sell out! We’ll let you know if more tickets are added for the 23, but for now, we’re just all kinds of giddy over the weekend to come.
As with each Orchid Evening, Saturday night’s evening under the lights will be highlighted by a local spirit–in this case, a fine whiskey from our friends at Tirado Distillery. And the cranberry-splashed mojitos aren’t the only mood enhancer on the menu; DJ Julio is also on the ticket, bringing smooth beats to the table for unmatched ambiance. Afterward, it’s over to the classic Italian fare of Arthur Avenue, where we’ve partnered with several restaurants to get you discounts on dinner. As far as planning your evening outing goes, I feel like this one’s sort of a no-brainer.
We’re looking at mostly clear skies and afternoons packed with ostentatious orchids, otherwise, so make a little space on your weekend calendar for the Orchid Show! Spring is definitely here, and while the air may be a bit brisk for flip-flops and tank tops, the Garden’s outdoor blooms don’t lie. Check out our Orchid Evenings page for registration information for future events, and head below for the full Saturday and Sunday schedules.
Just go ahead and ignore your outdoor thermometer on your way out the door; it’s for the best. Because while today may not feel like the first day of spring, I can promise you–with the backing of several astronomers and meteorologists, if necessary–that we’re no longer wading our way through the worst of winter! At least not officially. The Spring Equinox is in swing, and the Orchid Show is hard at work trumpeting all things fresh and colorful. Week after week, waves of wild blossoms make their way into the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, packing each nook, cranny, branch, and epiphyte-friendly surface with neon perfection. It’s the spring phenomenon, and it’s more than just a greenhouse full of plants.
Kevin Character recently took the show to the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, where our staff now tends to the comings and goings of Little Landscapes, an Orchid Show sibling geared toward the little ones in your life. Terrariums are the new kids on the block when it comes to green thumb trends, but their history extends far, far beyond the delicate glass globes and mossy miniature landscapes seen on Pinterest. There was a practical purpose to the first Victorian terrariums of England–well behind the beautiful display and self-contained ecosystem that each terrarium provided.
Want to know more about this open house of tiny greens? Check out our interview and demonstration!
Sonia Uyterhoeven is the NYBG‘s Gardener for Public Education.
A few weeks ago I put together some orchid trivia for one of my colleagues, and I thought I would share some of the interesting tidbits with you. As part of the entertainment for The Orchid Show this year, we are featuring “Music from the World of Orchids.” Each weekend throughout the run of the exhibition an eclectic array of musicians will perform popular tunes from countries that are known for their beautiful orchids. The line-up includes musicians from Brazil, Peru, Cuba, Mexico, India, Cameroon, Portugal, and the United States, giving visitors a rich and varied sensory experience.
Picking up a little knowledge beforehand can make your visit to the Orchid Show even more enriching than it already is, though we’ll certainly have plenty of experts on hand to answer any of your questions while you’re here. For now, here are some fun pieces of orchid trivia for you to ruminate over while you listen to exotic melodies!
Decided to go askew with my choice of green today, ’cause why not? The Garden is open on this fine St. Patrick’s Day, as is The Orchid Show. Feel free to stop by! And to all our evening revelers, may your Guinness pours be perfect and your trips home safe.
With Marc Hachadourian heading up a course on dividing and repotting orchids this morning, I thought I’d show you some of his handiwork. He’s responsible for keeping our exhibitions green and thriving, and as the Manager of the Nolen Greenhouses for Living Collections, that’s something he has no trouble with–the Orchid Show being no exception.
The magnolia flowers peppering the trees outside the Library Building tell the story a bit better than this wintry rain: spring has arrived, and it’s not going anywhere! Rhododendrons perk in the Azalea Garden, the Home Gardening Center looks a little more like its old self, and keen eyes can spot the nascent greens of young leaves on the tree branches. A more telling signal for the seasonal transition is the sound of the Fountain of Life’s familiar burble.
