Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Posted in Photography on December 23 2015, by Matt Newman
Redesigned last year, look for the glowing new rendition of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory in….well, the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. It’s a bit meta, but there’s no doubt that it’s one of the most beautiful and beloved landmarks in the Holiday Train Show!
The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory in the Holiday Train Show — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Photography on December 22 2015, by Matt Newman
Happy winter solstice! Or what passes for one, anyway. While it’s supposedly the first day of winter—the shortest day of the year and the longest night, in fact—you’ll still find green lawns and the occasional early fall sky to look forward to when you visit NYBG. We anxiously await the first snowfall!
The Library Building & Tulip Tree Allée – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Programs and Events on December 21 2015, by Matt Newman
The Holiday Train Show in 2015 is the biggest and best its ever been, and because the holiday season doesn’t end with December, we’re keeping it going well into January—the 18th, in fact! But that’s not the only thing going on as the new year breaks on NYBG. You’ll want to stick around for the arrival of a familiar tank engine to our Ross Hall.
All Aboard with Thomas & Friends™ returns January 2–24 for what is easily one of our most beloved annual traditions. Kids and their families are invited to join us in Ross Hall for sing-along mini-performances with Thomas and his friend Driver Sam, helping them decorate the station in time for the big Sodor surprise party before the guest of honor arrives. It’s a fun and inclusive event that welcomes participation, and it’s sure to make your little one’s day. After the show, make sure to have a professional photo taken with Thomas to capture the moment!
Tickets to these special performances are timed, and we recommend registering online in advance to ensure you get your preferred spot. But there are plenty of opportunities to meet Thomas and celebrate the season!
Posted in Photography on December 21 2015, by Matt Newman
Brunfelsia grandiflora in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Photography on December 19 2015, by Matt Newman
‘Harvest Gold’ takes its cue from Midas for a spray of late fall color.
Malus ‘Harvest Gold’ in the Crabapple Collection – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Programs and Events on December 18 2015, by Vilina Phan
As we celebrate the peak of the holiday season at the Garden, we thought it appropriate to ring in the winter solstice (it’s actually Tuesday, December 22, but who’s counting?) with a weekend performance suited to the nostalgic sights and sounds of the season. And what better group to fit the bill than an ensemble of cellos, violins, and flutes?
This Sunday, December 20, sit for a performance of selections by Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel during the last of Le Train Bleu’s 2015 Winter Harmonies concerts. With Ransom Wilson at the helm, you can be sure of a rousing take on these classic compositions. And it’s not just for adults, either—the ensemble set aside time for a kid-friendly performance at 2 p.m. that features introductions to each of the instruments being played. At 4 p.m., they’ll return with a concert geared toward adults. Learn more here, and don’t forget to grab these special tickets.
The Holiday Train Show continues throughout the month and into January, and because it’s late December, we’ll be open this coming Monday to accommodate everyone who’s out and about during this beautiful time of year. As a reminder to everyone out there who’s planning on joining us for Bar Car Nights, our events for this weekend—December 18 and 19 respectively—are both sold out as of today, so don’t sleep too long on tickets to upcoming nights!
It’s going to be a musical spectacle of a weekend, of that much I’m more than sure. See everything that’s happening below.
Posted in Photography on December 16 2015, by Matt Newman
Pinks and purples join the traditional snow-white of December in this oddly warm stretch of late fall.
Nicotiana ‘Mutabilis’ along the Ladies’ Border – Photo by Amy Weiss
Posted in Shop/Book Reviews on December 16 2015, by Joyce Newman
Joyce H. Newman is an environmental journalist and teacher. She holds a Certificate in Horticulture from The New York Botanical Garden.
For Benjamin Swett, photographer and author of New York City of Trees, every tree has a story, and their stories connect us to the past as well as foreshadow the future. His award-winning book, available at NYBG Shop (Quantuck Lane Press, $29.95), features NYBG‘s “good-looking” European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’), the unusual snake branch spruce (Picea abies ‘Virgata’) and magnificent dawn redwoods (Metasequoia glyptostoboides) located in the Benenson Ornamental Conifers collection, and the stunning grove of four Tanyosho pines (Pinus densiflora ‘Umbraculiferas’) near the reflecting pool beyond the Conservatory Gate at NYBG.
Swett credits NYBG’s Todd Forrest and Deanna Curtis, both experts in woody plants, for being “enormously helpful to me, not only in my research into the many trees included from the NYBG, but also on general questions of forestry and the history of the different species.”
Posted in Photography on December 15 2015, by Matt Newman
Throughout this year’s run of the Holiday Train Show, look for kid-friendly activities in our Adventure Garden, where Evergreen Express invites little ones to get hands-on with train puppets, scented sachet crafting stations, and more.
Evergreen Express in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden – Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden on December 11 2015, by Vilina Phan
The Holiday Train Show is in full swing with plenty of activities to get you in the holiday spirit—and with the thermometer nearing 60 degrees, there aren’t many excuses to stay inside! Better yet, we will be open this Monday as well as the following two Mondays—perfect for when the kids start their vacation or when visiting family members come to town.
Kids and the young at heart will delight in the scaled models of classic New York landmarks, built entirely of bark, twigs, seeds, and other natural materials, while seeing G-scale trains zip between these works of art is a special treat. And this weekend features a holiday a cappella group singing your favorite carols; a live poetry reading with former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins on Saturday, featuring works including those on display at the Leon Levy Visitor Center and Perennial Garden Way; and the first installment of the Winter Harmonies Concert Series on Sunday, featuring Le Train Bleu and acclaimed flutist and music director Ransom Wilson.
Come see why a winter visit to the Garden has become one of New York’s favorite holiday traditions. Grab your tickets today!