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Plant Talk

Inside The New York Botanical Garden

The Boxing Day Blizzard

Posted in Photography on December 28 2010, by Plant Talk

Ann Rafalko is Director of Online Content.

The Enid A. Haupt ConservatoryIn England, the day after Christmas is called Boxing Day. In New York City, at least in 2010, it was Blizzard Day. The city was socked-in by a massive storm that brought not only several feet of light, fluffy, powder snow; but also thunder, lightning, hurricane-force winds, and five-foot high snow drifts.

The Garden was supposed to be open for a rare holiday Monday, but due to the conditions and the dangers they posed to both visitors and staff, the decision was made to close. (If you had tickets to visit the Holiday Train Show on December 26, see exchange details here.) Despite the closure, some staff did come to work for the day, including intrepid photographer Ivo M. Vermeulen.  See some of the stunning images Ivo captured in the photo essay below.

Around the Grounds

A mist of snowWhat looks like mist is, in fact, blowing snow.

Snow CartsOur stable of golf carts were rendered completely useless.

The Herb GardenThere used to be a parterre there.

Perennial Garden WaySnow had fallen and drifted on Perennial Garden Way–which leads past the Conservatory to the Garden Cafe–nearly as high as the hedges running the length of the path.

Clearing the snowClearing the walkway in front of the Fountain of Life and the Museum Building.

The Abstraction of Snow

Tree wells

Seed Pods

Hydrangea

The Fountain of Life

Grasses in snow

Conifers

Conifer display

Conifter in snow

Ross Conifer Arboretum

Conifers

Under the tree

We hope you enjoyed this short tour of our own winter wonderland. But, why just daydream about it? Getting to the Garden is easy, even in winter weather. Just take MetroNorth‘s Harlem Line from Grand Central Station to our very own Botanical Garden Station and experience the beauty of winter for yourself!

Comments

Dale said:

Beautiful photos, definitely a winter wonderland….

ACE said:

BEAUTIFUL Photos!! I used to live near the Botanical Gardens — it was less than 2 blocks away — and I used to walk thru them many times when I was a kid, then a teenager. It is still as beautiful now as it was then.

V Dog said:

It is like a Dutch wunderland! Reminds me of my youth living in Rotterdam.

Miriam said:

Oh gosh, I am stunned by the beauty of these snow photos. I’m so glad you made it to the Garden! Can’t wait to visit. I will try to get there this week. Thank you!

Emily said:

Such beautiful pictures.!!!!

Stu Grossman said:

Gee, I have been to the Garden many times but have never seen the building you show in the snow pictures. Do you have a new glasshouse?

Ann's Mom said:

I really like the way Ivo takes a picture–especially the “abstracts”. I used to come to the garden a long time ago and later brought my little daughter to see it; now she works there !!

Stu Grossman said:

So thats the Haupt Conservatory on the side! Wow, all these years I have been coming here and never saw it from that angle! Beautiful. By the way, Ivo the photographic takes spectacular photos!!