Morning Eye Candy: Ducks on the River
Posted in Photography on December 22 2010, by Plant Talk
The Bronx River teems with ducks at this time of year.
Ducks on the Bronx River (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Plant Talk
The Holiday Train Show During the Holidays
Posted in Holiday Train Show on December 21 2010, by Plant Talk
Christmas is days away. The kids are out of school, the shopping is (maybe) done, the presents are (mostly) wrapped, and it’s time to concentrate on kicking back and reveling in the joys of the season. For many families in the New York City area, a visit to the Holiday Train Show is as much a part of the holiday season as seeing a performance of The Nutcracker or the Rockettes, gawking at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, ice skating in Bryant Park, and watching the animals open “presents” at the Prospect Park Zoo.
And as any seasoned New Yorker can tell you, Christmas in the city can be immensely enjoyable. It’s easy to feel in the spirit of the season when surrounded by so much joy. But, for every jolly Christmas elf, there’s a Grinch whose heart is made several sizes too small by overlong lines, overwhelming crowds, and overheated offices. Escape the lines and hullabaloo of Midtown and come experience the wonder of the Holiday Train Show at the Garden. In an effort to spread the holiday cheer, we’re offering a few tips for maximizing your Train Show enjoyment during these jolly peak weeks (December 21, 2010-January 2, 2011).
Morning Eye Candy: The Solstice
Posted in Photography on December 21 2010, by Plant Talk
Celebrating the longest night of the year with glittering lights. Welcome Winter!
Christmas trees (photo by Ann Rafalko)
Morning Eye Candy: Branches
Posted in Photography on December 20 2010, by Plant Talk
How many branches are there in your family tree? What story do they tell?
Branches (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
Morning Eye Candy: Who Was Here?
Posted in Photography on December 19 2010, by Plant Talk
Was it you?
Tracks in the Snow (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
Morning Eye Candy: Glow
Posted in Photography on December 18 2010, by Plant Talk
In the winter, the eye can rest. There are fewer colors, textures, and distractions from the bones of the light-painted landscape.
The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
The First Lady!
Posted in NYBG in the News on December 17 2010, by Plant Talk
We’re sorry it’s not the best picture, but we’re just so excited to share this image of first lady Michelle Obama speaking at the presentation ceremony of the 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Representatives from The New York Botanical Garden were in attendance to accept the award.
We’ll post better pictures once we get them. And here’s a link to the Mrs. Obama’s remarks.
Morning Eye Candy: And Still They Linger
Posted in Photography on December 17 2010, by Plant Talk
The Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden is closed until spring, but some roses persist–like this beauty in the Home Gardening Center–despite the snow and frost.
Rosa ‘All the Rage’ (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
The Garden Goes to Washington
Posted in NYBG in the News on December 16 2010, by Plant Talk
On Friday, New York Botanical Garden President Gregory Long; Carrie Laney, the Garden’s Vice President for Government and Community Relations; and Karen Washington, a community activist who, in partnership with the Botanical Garden’s Bronx Green-Up program turned empty lots into beautiful gardens, will accept the 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Service from none other than First Lady Michelle Obama!
A Few of His Favorite Things: Ken Greene
Posted in Shop/Book Reviews on December 16 2010, by Plant Talk
Ken Greene, co-founder of the Hudson Valley Seed Library, is one of the most honest plant people we’ve ever met. Ken cares about plants in a way that is inspiring, moving, and intoxicating. At the Hudson Valley Seed Library he and his band of seedy friends are leading a full-blown local seed revolution. The Seed Library is a throwback to a time when seed sellers put fascinating pictures on their packages and pithy descriptions in their catalogs, to a time when every kitchen gardener saved his or her favorite seeds and passed them down from generation to generation. To that end, the Seed Library sells memberships (ed. note: we think a Seed Library membership makes a great holiday gift!) that offer discounts to those growers who return some of their seeds to the Library in an effort to expand the pool of Hudson Valley-grown varieties. Ken also commissions a group of local artists each year to illustrate beautiful Art Packs for a handful of varieties.
As you can tell, we really like Ken and the Seed Library (And we’re not alone. Check out this great profile from the New York Times). They’re helping preserve local plant diversity and educating a new generation, teaching them that gardening isn’t just a way to eat good food, it’s also a thoughtful act that resonates through generations. We were delighted when Ken agreed to share his list of “Favorite Things” for holiday giving. As you’ll see, Ken always has seeds on his mind. Who knew seeds could act as inspiration for such beautiful gifts?