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Backstory, Front-story, Overstory, Understory

Posted in History & People

This spring, the built world shut down just as the natural one opened up. Read More

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This white ash is not only notable for its size, b

This white ash is not only notable for its size, but for its regional rarity—making it a shoe-in for NYC’s Great Tree Search. 🌳

Last held all the way back in 1985, @nycparks’ Great Tree Search invited locals across the five boroughs to nominate trees of unusual size, interesting or rare species, unusual form, or historical significance, with the winning trees receiving special recognition for their importance to our City. Now, after over 35 years, it’s time to create a new list—and this time, the trees will be featured in an interactive city-wide map representing the incredible diversity and scale of NYC’s urban forest.

Hit the link in our bio to hear from Melissa Finley, our Thain Curator of Woody Plants, as she shares some of HER favorite NYBG trees and why they’re worth nominating, as well as how to cast your vote in honor of our leafy friends (whether they’re in a garden or on your street)!

#Fraxinus americana #GreatTreeSearch #plantlove

Over the next few weeks at NYBG, join us for a cel

Over the next few weeks at NYBG, join us for a celebration of cultural traditions and botanical heritage during Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month! 💐

You’ll enjoy a lively variety of on-site and digital programs—to spotlight the important contributions and histories of the plants and people making up this diverse community—with educators, gardeners, community partners, and plant tours.

Visit the link in our bio to see everything happening in-person and virtually this year!

#Dahlia #HispanicLatinxHeritageMonth #plantlove

Spooky season fanatics, your time is now: Fall-O-W

Spooky season fanatics, your time is now: Fall-O-Ween comes to NYBG this weekend! 🎃🍁

The Garden is your pumpkin headquarters starting this Saturday, September 16, kicking off with appearances by master pumpkin carver @AdamBierton EVERY weekend from now through the end of October. See him transform pumpkins of all shapes and sizes into frightening and fantastical beasts just like these as he works his way up to carving one of the GIANT pumpkins arriving in late October.

From free mini pumpkins to decorate here and take home; to evening events for kids and families during Spooky Garden Nights; a pumpkin patch to purchase your future jack-o’-lantern; and the arrival of fall foliage on the horizon, there’s plenty for all ages to enjoy this fall at NYBG. Hit the link in our bio to learn more and grab your tickets.

#FallOWeen

Holiday Train Show and NYBG GLOW tickets are NOW o

Holiday Train Show and NYBG GLOW tickets are NOW on sale—and with cool weather just around the corner, don’t wait! 🚂❄️

The Holiday Train Show returns bigger than ever with an ALL NEW outdoor train display!! You can watch trains zip past iconic New York landmarks in the warmth of the Conservatory, or head outside onto the lawn to capture your perfect holiday photos at our outdoor mountainscapes. After dark, join us for NYBG GLOW and discover the beauty of our landscape and historic buildings, illuminated across the grounds. And don’t miss the return of our fan-favorite Bar Car Nights, 21-and-over evenings featuring the Holiday Train Show and curated cocktails.

Visit the link in our bio to get tickets for your preferred dates now—they have been known to sell out!

#HTSNYBG #NYBGglow #BarCarNights

If you haven’t been to the LuEsther T. Mertz Lib

If you haven’t been to the LuEsther T. Mertz Library, you’re missing one of the greatest botanical book collections on Earth. 📚🌱

And that’s just one element of the amazing archives to be found there. With over 750,000 books, centuries of historic manuscripts, cookbooks, kid’s activities, and so much more to discover, it’s a destination no plant lover should miss. Get to know our Mertz Library staff—then visit the link in our bio to learn more.

#MertzLibrary #libraries #botany

As we wait for fall’s cool, crisp air, there are

As we wait for fall’s cool, crisp air, there are few places at the Garden like the Thain Forest to beat the heat. 🌲🍃

Miles of trails wind through this 50-acre woodland—the largest remaining tract of old-growth forest in NYC, and the perfect chance to see what the five boroughs looked like before the City existed. And with tours ranging from botanical explorations of the Forest’s tree species, to Indigenous perspectives on these age-old spaces, and the relaxing meditations of forest bathing, there’s plenty to discover as you walk these shady, sun-dappled paths.

Hit the link in our bio to learn more about upcoming Forest tours at NYBG.

#ThainForest #plantlove

Hummingbird alert! For all of you asking when we’d see them this year, the time is now. 🚨🐦

The ruby-throated hummingbirds that take lunch at the Garden in late summer and early fall have been elusive—at least until this week. Look for these hovering green puffs of energy throughout our collections, and especially in the Perennial and Native Plant Gardens.

Have the hummingbirds made it to your neck of the woods yet? Let us know in the comments!

#hummingbirds

Are YOU ready to venture down the rabbit hole? Joi

Are YOU ready to venture down the rabbit hole? Join us in 2024 for Wonderland: Curious Nature! 🕳🐇🌹

Next spring at NYBG, explore our collections through a new lens during a one-of-a-kind, Garden-wide adventure through settings, sights, and scents inspired by the classic tale of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. You’ll choose from a variety of experiences as you embark on a journey encompassing mind-bending horticultural displays and mesmerizing and immersive art installations across our 250 acres.

Spanning spring, summer, and fall, this major exhibition invites you to discover a rose garden fit for a queen, experience moments of outsize scale and unusual perspective, and “go mad” for imaginative dining experiences, whimsical pop-ups, and so much more.

Visit the link in our bio to sign up for ticket alerts and learn more about this fantastical new Garden experience kicking off May 18, 2024!

#WonderlandNYBG

Water lily weigh-off challenge accepted! 🤝🪷

Water lily weigh-off challenge accepted! 🤝🪷

Last week, @denverbotanic threw their hat in the ring for a summer face-off unlike any other: whose water lily pads can hold the most weight before taking on water? And we couldn’t turn down the opportunity. Join Marc Hachadourian, our Director of Glasshouse Horticulture, in the Conservatory Courtyard Pools as he puts our Victoria amazonica to the test with sandbags and weights—and see who comes out victorious. 🙌

Looking for more horticultural happenings from the Garden? Hit the link in our bio to follow us on TikTok, too!

#WaterLilyWeighOff #plantlove

If you haven’t seen “…things come to thrive…in the shedding…in the molting…" yet, don't miss it in late summer!

Indoors and out, the plantings for Ebony G. Patterson's momentous exhibition that were unveiled in spring have since thrived in the seasonal warmth, growing more lush and colorful as they live out their lifecycles in these ever-changing spaces. Hit the link in our bio to get your tickets now, and discover the beauty of gardens through the eyes of the artist—only at NYBG through October 22.

#EbonyGPattersonNYBG #EbonyGPatterson

If you’re feeling shy, the Ross Conifer Arboretu

If you’re feeling shy, the Ross Conifer Arboretum might be the collection for you—where the trees are equally so! 🌲

You may have seen “Crown Shyness” at NYBG before, a phenomenon where certain tree species—and in some cases, different species—refuse to touch branches and leaves as they grow, instead creating channels that look like rivers on a map. While scientists aren’t sure exactly why, the theory is that it helps trees avoid spreading diseases or pests from one to the next. So the next time you find yourself surrounded by trees, don’t forget to look up! You might find a fascinating surprise in the canopy.

#Pinus densiflora ‘Umbraculifera’ #plantlove

We’re seeing PINK in the Perennial Garden this w

We’re seeing PINK in the Perennial Garden this week thanks to the Japanese anemones now in bloom! 🌸💕

This collection is always a great spot to take in blooming summer beauty, with its uniquely planted “rooms” and many visiting pollinators, and all you have to do to find these picture-perfect flowers is follow the bumblebees.

#Anemone × hybrida ‘Robustissima’ #plantlove