See also Part 1: The Osborne Garden, and Part 2: Magnolia Plaza
The Rock Garden, viewed from just inside the southernmost entrance.
A year ago I “discovered” the Rock Garden at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden:
I did get to see the Rock Garden as I had planned. I wasn’t disappointed. I don’t usually get to see this garden. It just seems off the beaten path during my usual visits. I want to visit it more often.
– A Visit to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, April 1, 2007
The Rock Garden lies between the main western path of the garden and Flatbush Avenue. I’ve been able to visit the Rock Garden each month so far this year. Spring seems to be a peak time of year for this garden.
This boulder-strewn slope provides some of the earliest signs of spring as well as brilliant color in the fall. Opened to the public in 1917, it was the first rock garden of considerable size in an American botanic garden.
BBG’s Rock Garden uses boulders to define beds and create pockets of microclimates where plants with a variety of special needs are able to thrive. Many of the plants showcased are compact and suited to growing in small spaces.
Many of the boulders that pepper the landscape were unearthed during construction of various parts of BBG, and were deposited on the site during the last ice age.
During a renovation in 1992, additional boulders, imported from Westchester County, were added to the original collection, pathways were widened, and steps were eliminated wherever possible. Today the Rock Garden is about two-thirds wheelchair and stroller accessible …
The heaths were buzzing with bees when I visited on Saturday.
Erica carnea ‘Springwood Pink’
Heaths and Spring Bulbs
Right now, the Rock Garden is also a great place to see a wide variety of Daffodils and other Spring bulbs in bloom.
Narcissus in the Rock Garden
Narcissus ‘Prologue’
Narcissus ‘Wee Bee’
The Hellebores were also happy.
Helleborus orientalis, Lenten-Rose
And just keep looking around. There’s something new and different everywhere you look.
Corydalis
Corylopsis pauciflora, Buttercup Winterhazel
Rhododendron P.J.M.
I also swung by the Rock Garden when I attended Making Brooklyn Bloom on Saturday, March 8. During breaks in the rains, it was lovely.
Crocuses in the Rock Garden
Crocuses and Snowdrops
Crocus tommasinianus
Pair a Ducks
Related Posts
Part 1: The Osborne Garden
Part 2: Magnolia Plaza
First Crocus, Rock Garden, BBG, February 16, 2008
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, January 21, 2008
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, April 14 and April 1, 2007
My Flickr photo sets of BBG’s Rock Garden
Gorgeous. I love how the heaths and other low-growing rock garden plants really set off the spring bulbs. I hope that someday, my garden gets to that point.
By the way, it seems that the bee on the outside of that hellebore flower is a bit confused… unless he’s just soaking up the sunshine and warmth. 🙂
Mr. (Ms?) Bee was also making his way into the flowers. I thinking he was lapping up the moisture on the outside of the flower.