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Plant Talk

Inside The New York Botanical Garden

Spring

The Original Twitter

Posted in Around the Garden, Wildlife on April 11 2012, by Matt Newman

From here to Pelham Bay Park, and straight on down to Central Park, the kinship of bird watchers is peaking. April and May are something of a pilgrimage holiday for the truly dedicated ornithological set, though few in New York hoof it far from home; they set out with their binoculars, their pens, and their dog-eared notebooks, taking time off from work to travel a scant few miles to the nearest stand of trees.

These dyed-in-the-wool avian aficionados don’t come to the NYBG in spring specifically for the Red-tailed Hawks, or for the Great Horned Owls. Their prize is far smaller. And as prizes go, these birds seem more of an indulgence than the rare and elusive species recorded with fingers scribbling furiously between the lines of a “life list.” Many New York birders–seasoned or green–instead come to see the little puffs of color and song known as warblers.

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Morning Eye Candy: Doors are Open

Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on April 9 2012, by Matt Newman

Sorry we’re late with this one–it’s been a hectic weekend for some of us. But with the kids escaping from school for their spring break, it means today is a rare open Monday at the NYBG! Get here while the sun is high.

Delphinium Pacific Giant ‘Blue Bird’ — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen

Morning Eye Candy: Greening

Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on April 8 2012, by Matt Newman

Pixels of spring green are starting to poke through the branches in the Forest. That means a finite wait until we can get out there to revel in the sound of the breeze through leafy boughs.

I’m not trying to wax poetic. I just really want to do this.

Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen

Spring Break Weekend!

Posted in Around the Garden on April 6 2012, by Matt Newman

Cherry blossoms and Easter pastels make for a fair combination, don’t you think? The calendar’s once again rolled into a holiday weekend at The New York Botanical Garden, which just happens to fall in line with the start of spring break for the schoolyard set. That makes for a rare opportunity: a Monday opening! This weather is too marvelous for the kids to sit at home.

The Orchid Show is, of course, the belle of the ball right now, but our 250 acres are making a strong showing as new plants and trees burst into their spring finery with each passing day. Walk among the fields of daffodils and tulips, admire the hellebores, or peek in on the early azaleas–and don’t forget the brilliant cherry and plum blossoms brightening trees throughout the Garden.

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Hello Spring

Posted in Around the Garden, Video on April 4 2012, by Matt Newman

To punctuate the beauty of the tenth annual Orchid Show with a glimpse of the prismatic flower pageant taking place outdoors, Friend of the Garden Jim Franco was generous enough to share some of his latest video footage with us. The man clearly has a knack for capturing just what it is that embodies the perfect spring day (and I can say without question that today is one of those days–the packed tour trams are a pretty good indicator if the blue skies aren’t enough).

There are so many flowers bursting to life throughout the Garden that we’re almost having trouble keeping track of them all. But that’s our job. All you have to do is show up, explore, and take in spring’s colors.