Bright red, rough edged five leaved small to large leafs of a Japanese Maple tree against a bright blue sky background.

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Monday, May 1, 2023 – Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Onsite | Online

Join us for a celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month programs at NYBG! Take part in on-site tours, programs on the traditional Japanese floral art of Ikebana, displays of Chinese poetry, and more.

Mertz Library Book Display

In celebration of AAPI Month, visit the LuEsther T. Mertz Library and enjoy featured family-friendly and educational titles on display. Check out a book with your Library Card, or sign up for one at the Registration Desk.

Explore our collections

the cover of the book, An's Seeds, features a child in a tan lo9ng sleeve shirt and a back scarf with a yellow stripe, holding a tiny seed in their hands

Chinese Character Drawing with NYCCC

Hear from Angela, an art teacher at the New York Chinese Cultural Center, as she demonstrates how to draw the Chinese character for “spring” pictured here!

Watch Now

a drawing of the Chinese character for "spring"

History of the Mertz Library: Rose Li

Born in China and raised in Taiwan, Rose Li became an Associate Librarian in 1983, becoming the first Asian-American librarian in charge of Mertz Library’s Technical Services department. Supervising and training staff, Li also used her knowledge of the Asiatic and French languages to transcribe and create catalog records.

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A person in an antique photo examines library materials in a room full of cabinets and computers

Cultivating Diversity—One Seed at a Time...

Explore NYBG Shop’s collection of seeds on offer to discover East Asian fruits, vegetables, herbs, and more that you can grow at home.

Visit the Shop

A bowl of green, fuzzy bean pods

“Weather Magic” Practices in the Pacific Nation of Vanuatu

Together with a group of colleagues in the United States and in Vanuatu, NYBG Scientists recently published a study on how plants are used in “weather magic,” representing centuries-old rituals and other practices intended to understand and even influence the weather.

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A green and red plant stem grows among green foliage

Isabella Iona Abbott: First Lady of Limu

Before Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott became the first Native Hawaiian woman to receive a doctorate in science, before the 150 journal articles and 8 books, before she was named the “First Lady of Limu,” she was a young girl collecting seaweed on the shores of Honolulu with her family.

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A pressed, dried herbarium specimen of branching red seaweed

Lead image: Acer palmatum ‘Hupp’s Red Willow’—Japanese maple in the Steinhardt Maple Collection