Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Posted in Around the Garden on June 12 2014, by Matt Newman
In a not quite accurate recitation of William Blake, “A robin red-breast on a post makes a perfect Garden host.”
A robin in the Native Plant Garden – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden on June 11 2014, by Jaime Morin
Jaime Morin is The New York Botanical Garden’s Assistant Curator in horticulture. She works with the plant records and curation teams to help keep the garden’s information on its living collections up to date. She also oversees the details of the garden’s Living Collections Phenology Project.
Ever since my journey into the world of plant obsession began, one my favorite times of the year has always been what I affectionately call “Stewartia season.” This delightful stretch always reminds me of summers spent immersed in unique plant collections, but always being drawn back to this one fascinating group of plants.
The genus Stewartia contains a handful of large shrub and tree species native to eastern Asia and two indigenous to the southeastern United States. Stewartia species all have beautiful white flowers with an obvious tuft of anthers in their center. Their floral show takes place in early to mid-summer, but many species also put on a fantastic display of orange to crimson fall foliage, extending the plants’ season of interest.
Posted in Around the Garden on June 11 2014, by Matt Newman
I happened to be catching up with Ivo by the Stone Mill when one of our groundskeepers rolled by on his way to the next job site. “Have you seen the mountain laurel yet?” he asked. “I’ve never actually seen it in bloom until now. Worth the wait, though.”
We’re all on the look-out for good camera fodder here.
Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia ‘Carousel’) by the Stone Mill – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Photography on June 10 2014, by Matt Newman
The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Photography on June 9 2014, by Matt Newman
It’s raining, it’s pouring, so take your mind off today’s weather by traveling back in time to this sunny Azalea Garden shot from last Friday.
In the Azalea Garden – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden on June 8 2014, by Matt Newman
The contrast of white and purple create the perfect Sunday morning moment of zen.
Poppies in the Perennial Garden – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Photography on June 7 2014, by Matt Newman
Join us in the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden both today and tomorrow for a long-awaited afternoon spent strolling the paths amid thousands of spring blooms in yellows, pinks, purples, reds, and so much more. The collection positively burst into life over the last couple of days, making a fashionably late entrance just in time for our Rose Garden Celebration!
In the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Horticulture on June 6 2014, by Brian Sullivan
Brian Sullivan is the Vice President for Landscape, Gardens and Outdoor Collections. He oversees the care, presentation, and development of the outdoor gardens and landscape management of the Garden’s 250 outdoor acres.
When choosing a new plant to add to a garden, some people choose plants for beauty. Others choose plants with a purpose, for example a shade tree or an upright evergreen for structure in the garden. Well, isn’t it nice to find a plant that fills more than one need?
One such plant is the ornamental allium. If that name sounds familiar, it should. There are many species and cultivars of the genus Allium, which include the well-known chives, onions, and garlic.
The flower appears to be a single, spherical flower borne on single upright stems. However, the globes are actually made up of many small, star-shaped flowers radiating out from the center. Alliums come in many sizes. The flower heads range from tiny to quite large, and the density of the flowers can be quite full, creating a dense flower head; or very open, making for an airy flower head. The stems also range from a short 12” to an astounding 36”. Colors can range from dark purple to the light pink, with some white cultivars. The different species and cultivars can be massed in large numbers or mixed all together for varying effects in the garden.
Posted in Photography on June 5 2014, by Matt Newman
The chalice-like peonies framing the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory show no signs of slowing today.
In the herbaceous peony collection – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Photography on June 3 2014, by Matt Newman
Our unofficial “Benches Awaiting Sit-‘n’-Thinkers” series continues with a lush shot from the Azalea Garden.
In the Azalea Garden – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen