This Weekend: Stop and Smell Fall Roses
Posted in Around the Garden on September 28 2012, by Matt Newman
If you’re moping around your desk on this gray Friday with daydreams of dry shoes in your head, rest assured you’ve got a kindred spirit here at the NYBG. But if there’s any kind of karmic balance in the universe, this weekend should be the payoff, because forecasts are promising a mostly sunny Saturday and Sunday in the city with temperatures to make you think spring is throwing an encore.
In the Perennial and Rose Gardens, that spring sentiment has never been stronger. These spots are home to some of the Garden’s most vibrant fall blooms, as well as many of the last outdoor flowers you’ll see before winter sets in. You’ll want to shuffle your schedule book around to make room for our tours and demonstrations, where expert Tour Guides and Garden horticulturists–Sonia Uyterhoeven included–dish out tips and info on rose gardening, autumn chrysanthemums, and everything in between.
It’s not long now until much of this city’s greenery goes into hibernation, and the Garden is still as lush as ever. Get up to the Bronx and take advantage of it!
Saturday, September 29
Bird Walk – 11 a.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
The diverse habitats of the Botanical Garden offer visitors a chance to see dozens of species of birds throughout the year. Bring your binoculars and walk the Garden grounds with expert “birder” Debbie Becker, whose experience has carried this Saturday tradition for over 25 years. Red-tailed Hawks, Great Horned Owls, woodpeckers and turkeys–each can be found at the Garden with a little searching.
Monet’s Garden Tour Guide Q&A – 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Meet in the Conservatory Courtyard, Hardy Pool
Ask one of the Garden’s Tour Guides about this stunning recreation of Monet’s iconic garden at Giverny. See the artistry of the great Impressionist in the galleries of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and in the Conservatory Courtyard pool, where a display of water lilies dazzles.
Perennial Garden Tour – 12:30 p.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Join a Garden Tour Guide for a tour of the Jane Watson Irwin Perennial Garden, which combines a vast palette of colors, textures, flowers, and foliage to create interest in every season.
Home Gardening Demonstration: Rose Encore – 2 p.m.
In the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden
Join Gardener for Public Education Sonia Uyterhoeven as she provides some simple rules to live by in a rose garden. Late-season care as well as some award-winning varieties will be covered.
Sunday, September 30
Monet’s Garden Tour Guide Q&A: Secrets of this Incredible Exhibition – 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Meet in the Conservatory Courtyard, Hardy Pool
Ask one of the Garden’s Tour Guides about this stunning recreation of Monet’s iconic garden at Giverny. See the artistry of the great Impressionist in the galleries of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and in the Conservatory Courtyard pool, where a display of water lilies dazzles.
Home Gardening Demonstration: Rose Encore – 2 p.m.
In the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden
Join Gardener for Public Education Sonia Uyterhoeven as she provides some simple rules to live by in a rose garden. Late-season care as well as some award-winning varieties will be covered.
Ongoing Children’s Programs
Hands-On Gardening Activities for Families — Pollinator Pals: Bees and Butterflies
Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden, through October 5
Daily, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
The Family Garden is buzzing in late summer! Join us to learn about important pollinators: our honeybees and the monarch butterflies passing us by on their way to Mexico. Get buzzy doing the honeybee dance, observe up-close the workings of a beehive, and sample honey from different nectar sources. Meander through our meadow to find the beautiful monarchs’ favorite snack-spots for fueling up before their long flight.
Cooking demonstrations at 2 and 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The Edible Garden
Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden, through October 31
Daily, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
The Edible Garden returns to the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden this year, bringing plenty of events for both adults and kids alike with daily, family-friendly activities, cooking demonstrations in the Whole Foods Market Family Garden Kitchen, and hands-on gardening fun.
A Garden friend and chef extraordinaire, Mario Batali takes a featured role in this year’s Edible Garden. Visit the beds of herbs and vegetables in “Mario Batali’s Kitchen Gardens,” where you can pick up some of his favorite recipes.
