Summer in a Bubble

Posted in Programs and Events on January 10 2013, by Matt Newman

There are a few caveats to that whole “winter’s majesty” thing. First, and this is one I learned not long ago, don’t wander out into a howling snow storm in leather-soled captoes unless ice-skating to the subway sounds fun. Second, that majesty only lasts for as long as it takes you to start shivering. And while living in the northeast means skiing, sledding, and all the joy of pristine white mornings, so often it seems easier to coop yourself up inside and listen to the snowflakes dusting your bedroom window. But! And I emphasize this: there’s a way to stay warm and enjoy what mother nature has to offer in New York City. If I told you that the NYBG offered a slice of summer during the frostiest time of year, would you believe me?

Soon, it won’t be that hard to wrap your head around! As the snow comes falling and you’re waging war on the ice coating your windshield, the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory‘s yearly Tropical Paradise will become New York City’s go-to escape for a little warmth, music, and relaxation in the rain forest. And, yes, I do mean rain forest. Our Victorian glasshouse remains an iconic landmark, representing not only New York’s architectural history, but over a century of botanical expertise. Inside, you’ll join our expert docents for tours of the Conservatory’s permanent collection, including soaring palm trees, alluring tropical flowers, and the many joys and oddities that thrive in our misty rain forests.

For those of you who are as camera-crazy as we are, you’ll be happy to know that our annual favorite–the Tropical Paradise photography contest–also makes its triumphant return in 2013. After ogling the exhibition of this year’s award-winning International Garden Photographer of the Year selections, we’re encouraging everyone to try their hand at our contest–snapping photos in hopes of capturing “paradise” with a lens. Trust me: there will be no shortage of picturesque opportunities. Even at the height of winter, there are colors and shapes in bloom that will blow your mind, all of which you can show off in the NYBG Flickr group during the competition.

We’ll have more on the photography contest (not to mention the prizes that go with it) as we draw closer to the start. In the meantime, I thought I’d encourage a little warmth–psychologically, if not physically–with some of the plants in bloom right now under the Conservatory glass. I’m told that if you think hard enough about being in the tropics, you won’t be quite as cantankerous about stepping into sub-freezing temperatures at the end of the day.

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Tropical Paradise runs from January 19 through February 24 in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, with special events for kids being held in the nearby Discovery Center. In the meantime, just picture conch shells and fruity cocktails with little paper umbrellas.