Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Posted in Photography on February 10 2011, by Plant Talk
No, not the one that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This hanging garden is of a more modest, but nonetheless impressive scale.
The Hanging Baskets House of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
Posted in Photography on February 9 2011, by Plant Talk
Like a chorus of laughing faces, the Arpophyllum spicatum, is covered in miniscule, nearly-neon pink flowers.
Arpophyllum spicatum in the Conservatory (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
Posted in Gardening Tips on February 8 2011, by Plant Talk
One of the new stars in the world of native plants these days is Uvularia perfoliata ‘Jingle Bells’. This woodland spring wildflower is indigenous to the East Coast west to the Mississippi. It generally has soft green leaves, yellow bell flowers and an arching demeanor. This new introduction has light green leaves with large white streaks around its border and into its interior. You can find this at Plant Delight Nurseries.
Another native that will attract the attention of homeowners is Amsonia ciliata ‘Spring Sky’. This sturdy native can be found from North Carolina down to Florida and west to Missouri. Blue star (its common name) has won the hearts of many by being a low-maintenance perennial that can grow in sun or part-shade and has the added benefit of being deer and rabbit resistant.
This new cultivar is a compact version of the native – reaching only 2 feet tall by 2 feet wide. It has pale blue flowers in the spring that are slightly larger than the native and fine, feathery foliage that turns a beautiful yellow hue in the fall. This new introduction comes from North Creek Nurseries.
For those of you looking for a splash of color later in the season, there is a new goldenrod on the market named Solidago ‘Solar Cascade’. ‘Solar Cascade’ size falls somewhere in between the compact ‘Golden Fleece’ and the majestic ‘Fireworks’. ‘Solar Cascade’ is a clump forming perennial that is drought tolerant once established.
‘Solar Cascade’ has glossy green foliage and arching sprays of golden flowers late in the summer. It will pair beautifully with many of your late season staples – ornamental grasses, New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis), medium sized dahlias and annual late season salvias.
A new cultivar of an ornamental grass that is indigenous to the dry plains of central North America is hitting the market by storm this year. Sometimes referred to as mosquito or blue grama grass, the new cultivar is named Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’.
Posted in Photography on February 8 2011, by Plant Talk
What a tongue-twister of a name for such a dainty flower.
Rosenbergiodendron longiflorum in the Conservatory (Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
Posted in Wildlife on February 7 2011, by Plant Talk
Garden Member and avid amateur wildlife photographer Patricia Gonzalez sent over this picture of a female Ruddy Duck that she snapped at the Garden this weekend.
The Garden is home to a large population of both native and migrating birds in all seasons and learning about them is easy when you join one of the Garden’s free, weekly Saturday bird walks. Or if you live far away and can’t make it to the Garden, you can follow Patricia’s photostream on Flickr. Thanks for sharing Patricia!
Posted in Photography on February 7 2011, by Plant Talk
These Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) branches look like they’re all lit up for a scene.
Icy Branches (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
Posted in Photography on February 6 2011, by Plant Talk
Chinese witch-hazel, Hamamelis mollis, provides a rare touch of color to the winter garden.
Yellow Streamers (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
Posted in Photography on February 5 2011, by Plant Talk
In the desert, inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.
(photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
Posted in Learning Experiences, Programs and Events on February 4 2011, by Plant Talk
It may seem hard to believe, but signs of spring are all around us here at the Garden. The Chinese witch-hazel has unfurled its sunny, yellow streamers, the Magnolia kobus near the Visitor Center is covered in buds, and there’s still a faint glow in the sky when we all head to Botanical Garden station to catch the 6:04 p.m. train back into the city. But, this is not to say that we all couldn’t use another assurance that spring is on its way. And isn’t the promise of being taught how to arrange the most gorgeous, fragrant spring flowers–lilies of the valley, muscari, lilacs–by two of Brooklyn’s most sought-after florists the very thing to raise your spirits?
The Adult Education department at The New York Botanical Garden is very pleased to announce three new floral arranging classes to be taught by Sarah Ryhanen of Saipua and Nicolette Owen of Nicolette Camille, known collectively as The Little Flower School.
The first class, Fragrant Flowers, will be held on Wednesday, May 16 from 6-9 p.m in Manhattan at our Midtown Center. The class will focus on the art of layering flowers, not just to form a pleasing arrangement, but also to create an amazing aroma.
On Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. join Sarah and Nicolette at the Garden for From Garden to Vase. The class will begin with a curator-led tour of the Garden, and then after a break for lunch students will head inside to make wild, lush arrangements inspired by the Garden and featuring some very special cuttings from the grounds!
From Garden to Vase will be repeated on Sunday, September 11 from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. to take advantage of fall’s beautiful flowers, fruit, and foliage.
We are so excited to have Sarah and Nicolette joining us for these amazing classes at the Garden! Space is limited, so be sure to register for one, two, or all three soon.
Posted in Photography on February 4 2011, by Plant Talk
More scenes from the ice storm.
All photos by Ivo M. Vermeulen