NYBG Docent Favorites
Drop-in tours, no reservation needed. All tours are 45 minutes unless otherwise noted.
All week long, take a tour with one of our volunteer docents as they show off their favorite corners of the Garden. Each tour is full of fun facts and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Our docents are dedicated Members just like you—come discover what makes them light up!
Perennial Garden
August 18 & 20; 1 p.m. | Conservatory Plaza
Explore a living tapestry of color and texture in NYBG’s renowned Perennial Garden, where expertly curated plantings evolve with the seasons for year-round beauty.
“The Perennial Garden offers interest in all seasons with the four created ‘rooms’ of plantings giving us color, shapes, scent, texture, and something new popping up with every visit.” —Ann Moller, Member since 1993
“Perennial gardens are a lot like symphony orchestras—each plant has its moment as the star of the show and then becomes part of the wonderful background for the garden as a whole.” —Margaret Ball, Member since 1996
Landmarks & History of the Garden
August 19; 1 p.m. | Reflecting Pool
Step back in time and discover the iconic landmarks and rich history that have shaped the New York Botanical Garden into a world-class cultural and scientific destination.
“Thrilled to share a wonderful slice of my native Bronx’s ‘Gilded Age’ history, the amazing people who had the spirit and talent to envision [NYBG], and to introduce you to some of the early garden treasures they gifted us.” —Kathy Thompson, Member since 1992
Aquatic Plants
August 20; 11 a.m. | Conservatory Plaza
Tour the unique collection of aquatic plants, where water lilies, lotuses, and rare species reveal the beauty and complexity of life in and around water.
“I love the lotuses, which symbolize purity, longevity, and resilience as they rise from murky waters. Their broad leaves naturally repel water, while their flowers bloom on stems held high above the foliage.” —Joanne Strauss, Member since 1991
Flower Power
August 21; 1 p.m. | Conservatory Plaza
Celebrate the vibrant energy of flowers as you tour our dazzling displays within our summer exhibition and learn how blooms influence culture, art, and the natural world.
“I believe in the power of flowers to heal and unite us…as a college student in the 1960s I participated in the peace and environmental movements and am still a fan of all [the] great ’60s music on the NYBG playlist. I love what the artists, horticulturists, and curators have done to recreate and pay homage to that seminal decade of my life.” —Joan Golan, Member since 2014
History of the Lorillard Family
August 21; 1 p.m. | Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden
Discover the story of the Lorillard family, early American industrialists whose legacy lives on at NYBG. Visit one of the Garden’s oldest surviving structures—the former Snuff Mill, now the Lillian and Amy Goldman Stone Mill—and uncover its fascinating history.
“Giving history tours of the Bronx River piqued my interest in finding out about the three generations of the Lorillard family who lived here before.” —Joanne Strauss, Member since 1991
Magnificent Trees of NYBG
August 22; 11 a.m. | Reflecting Pool
Stand among giants and discover the stories behind NYBG’s most magnificent trees—living treasures that showcase the diversity, scale, and resilience of nature.
“Learning to differentiate between tree species helps you appreciate their grand beauty.” —Cuyler Christianson, Member since 2005
NYBG Landmarks
August 22; 1 p.m. | Reflecting Pool
Tour the Garden’s architectural and horticultural highlights, from historic buildings to iconic landscapes that define NYBG’s unique character.
“NYBG is a museum of plants, but it can also qualify as a museum of American architectural history.” —Cuyler Christianson, Member since 2005
Wild Wetlands
August 23; 11 a.m. | Native Plant Garden Pavilion
Venture into the Mitsubishi Wetland Trail, a thriving aquatic environment teeming with native plants and wildlife, like turtles and frogs—offering a glimpse into the beauty of natural wetlands.
“I used to do phenology along the Wetlands Trail which inspired me to create a tour that is full of surprises, [from] twisted willow trees elms, waterlilies, [to] turtles and … even a juvenile red-tailed hawk—all illustrating the importance of preserving wetlands.” —Joanne Strauss, Member since 1991
Thain Family Forest
August 23; 1 p.m. | Native Plant Garden Pavilion
Explore the largest remaining tract of old-growth forest in New York City, where winding trails, native flora, and peaceful woodland views connect you to nature’s past.
“Forests restore us and that means we feel better after a walk there, PLUS the forest has many secrets to be discovered along the way.” —Carolyn Grossner, Member since 2005
Location Throughout the Garden