In case you haven’t heard: The cicadas are coming! The cicadas are coming! To New York City at least, where they haven’t been seen, en masse, since 1996. Cicadas of the Brood II type hibernate underground for 17 years, waiting for the soil to warm to a balmy 64°F before emerging in the millions to mate. Then, they disappear again for another 17 years. We haven’t seen, or heard, them yet at the Garden, but there have been scattered sightings throughout the greater New York City area.
And it turns out, cicadas have not only a sense of rhythm, but also a sense of timing and will have emerged in time for the World Science Festival! We’ll be celebrating with a special Festival program on June 1, Cicada Serenades: Music, Mating, and Meaning. The panel will be moderated by ABC News’ Good Morning America co-anchor Dan Harris, and will feature musician, philosopher, and author David Rothenberg (recently featured on WNYC’s SoundCheck); environmental scientist John Cooley; professor and neurobiologist Ronald Hoy; and author, biologist, and professor Marlene Zuk. Discussion of the cicada’s song, mating rituals, and scientific importance will be punctuated by a “musical performance between the bugs and their human collaborators.”
Just a reminder that ‘Ivy’ and her sisters will soon be departing the Garden. You have until May 26 to see Manolo Valdés’ beautiful ladies before they depart. I’m really going to miss them! Each season was like a costume change for the sculptures. Who will you miss most?
One of the centerpieces of the newly opened Native Plant Garden is Britton Rock, a monument to one of the founders of The New York Botanical Garden, Elizabeth Britton. Elizabeth was an advocate for native plants, especially in the form of wildflower preservation, so it is supremely fitting to have this monument to her in this gorgeous garden.
The family fun includes bird and butterfly walks, watercolor painting, a professional photographer’s booth where you can get a beautiful family portrait, lawn games and picnicking on Daffodil Hill (complete with food carts and free samples), music perfect for dancing from the Banjo Rascals, and on Sunday, a family concert presentation of Jack and the Beanstalk by the Bronx Arts Ensemble.
After enjoying the festivities, take mom for a stroll around our 250-acres where you will be dazzled by all the beautiful blooms. The Azalea Garden is as close to peak bloom as you can get, like stepping into a pink and red kaleidoscope! The tree peony and lilac collections–both located near the newly reopened Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden–continue to perfume the air with amazing aroma, and in the Home Gardening Center you can tiptoe among the tulips until your heart’s content. The Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden is verdant and green with vegetables and flowers popping up all over. Feel free to lend a hand, dig around, plant a little, and play in the dirt here. Everyone’s encouraged to give gardening a try in this one-acre veggie wonderland!
Do you know what plant is in your aspirin? In your mouthwash? How about your lotion? Plants are all around us, even in the concrete jungle. They’re in your medicine cabinet, vitamins and supplements, makeup bag, and at your local hospital. And beginning May 18—with a special introductory lecture featuring world-renowned expert Andrew Weil, M.D.—Wild Medicine: Healing Plants Around the World, Featuring The Italian Renaissance Garden will introduce a world of medicinal plants on display throughout the 11 galleries of the one-acre Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.
On Saturday, May 18, hear Andrew Weil, M.D., a world-renowned leader in the field of integrative medicine, share fascinating experiences and offer unique perspectives on the power of plants to maximize well-being and quality of life. The recipient of the Garden’s first H.H. Rusby Award, Dr. Weil, a Harvard-trained physician, botanist, and Founder and Director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, is being recognized for his distinguished contributions to the fields of ethnobotany and integrative medicine, and for advancing our understanding of the importance of plants in clinical care. After his remarks, meet Dr. Weil, who will sign copies of his recent books, True Food: Seasonal, Sustainable, Simple, Pure and Spontaneous Happiness: A New Path to Emotional Well-Being.
”Saw this rare yellow magnolia in bloom last weekend at the NY Botanical Garden” @OliverSacks
Recently the eminent neurologist, author, and friend of the GardenDr. Oliver Sackstweeted a picture of himself with one of NYBG‘s yellow magnolias. “Saw this rare yellow magnolia in bloom last weekend at the NY Botanical Garden,” Dr. Sacks said. This resulted in a series of questions about yellow magnolias, most of which I could not answer. So I turned to someone who could, the Garden’s Manager of Plant Records, Jon Peter.
One of the biggest questions was as to whether or not the magnolia pictured, Magnolia ‘Butterflies’, is in fact yellow. “Yes it is really yellow, although a pale yellow,” Jon Peter assured me. This is one of the problems with digital plant pictures, everyone’s screen is slightly different, so hues can appear different to different people. But you can trust me, Dr. Sacks, and Jon Peter—this beautiful tree is truly yellow. It has a creamy, buttery color, with just a touch of chartreuse shot through. It is especially spectacular when set against more traditional blossoming tree colors like pink and white.
We’ve spent so much time enjoying the new Native Plant Garden, it almost slipped our mind … it’s azalea time! Want to know when the stunning Azalea Garden is nearing peak bloom? We’ve got you covered!
In case you haven’t heard: The cicadas are coming! The cicadas are coming! To New York City at least, where they haven’t been seen, en masse, since 1996. Cicadas of the Brood II type hibernate underground for 17 years, waiting for the soil to warm to a balmy 64°F before emerging in the millions to mate. Then, they disappear again for another 17 years. We haven’t seen, or heard, them yet at the Garden, but there have been scattered sightings throughout the greater New York City area.
