BBG DDD offers 20% off for Garden Members

Posted on 2007-11-14 by admin

Starting next Friday, November 23 through Sunday, December 2, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) holds their annual Members’ Double Discount Days (DDD). Earlier this year, BBG opened a new Gift Shop, separate from the hard-core Garden Shop, greatly increasing their retail space. During this period, members receive 20% off all purchases in the Gift Shop, Garden Shop, or when shopping online.

One of the benefits of BBG membership, BBG members always receive a 10% discount for all purchases. For this limited time, the discount is doubled. Other benefits available to all members include free admission to the Garden and invitations to members-only events such as the annual Plant Sale Preview, an orgy of horticultural acquisitiveness. Individual memberships start at $40.

Event, July 14: BBG Big Trees Celebration Day

Posted on 2007-07-09 by admin

Pterocarya fraxinifolia, Caucasian Wingnut, Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Through August 26, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) is hosting a special exhibit, Big City, Big Trees: Gentle Giants of the urban Landscape. This Saturday, Big Tree Celebration Day, from noon to 4pm, BBG is hosting several special events, including demonstrations, lectures, workshops, story-telling, and guided tours.

Trees do a tremendous amount for the urban environment. Their leaves absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide, a culprit in global climate change, and use it in the process of photosynthesis. Trees clean pollutants from the air, all the while releasing oxygen back into it. The bigger the tree, the greater the benefits: A large mature tree can absorb nearly 70 times more pollution and give off much more oxygen a year than a newly planted sapling.
– Benefits of Big Urban Trees

Big trees help to cool cities in the summer, providing shade and reducing the air temperature around them. They soak up a lot of rainwater, which reduces storm runoff and soil erosion. Big trees break the force of strong winds, decrease glare from the sun, and reduce air conditioning and heating bills in buildings to which they are adjacent. Moreover, big trees serve as noise buffers, muffling the sounds of car horns and buses, and they provide habitats for wildlife, even in the midst of the busiest city.

The tree in the photo above is BBG’s Caucasian Wingnut, one of seven big trees highlighted in this summer’s exhibit. This tree is over 60 feet (6 stories) tall. Its trunk is 104 inches (nearly 9 feet) around. It’s over 85 years old.

Additional Big Tree activities are held each Saturday through August 18.

Members Reception in BBG’s Cranford Rose Garden

Posted on 2007-06-09 by admin

Calm before the storm in the Cranford Rose Garden

Wednesday evening, blog widow John and I went to the members’ wine and cheese reception in the Cranford Rose Garden at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. During the summer, BBG stays open until 8pm on Wednesday evenings for members only, one of their benefits to members.

John overheard another visitor say “Well, the roses are beautiful, even if the people aren’t.” Free cheese and crackers seemed to stir visitors into a feeding frenzy. Maybe it was the free wine, of which John and I don’t partake. Away from the food, things were more pleasant, though still crowded in the rose garden. Away from the rose garden, the gardens were lovely.

Entrance to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Duck Family

Lily Pool Terace

Lily Pool Terrace

Water Lilies

Busy Bees on Milk Thistle, Silybum marianum "Adriana"

Water Lily

Mixed Perennial Border

Lily Pool Terrace Fountain

ID REQUEST: What is this plant?

Cranford Rose Garden

Also Pink

Rose Garden from the Overlook

View Through

Palm House Reflected

Help me select the BBG Visitors Group photo for June

Posted on 2007-06-01 by admin

Lavender border along the Cranford Rose Garden, taken May 28, 2007, by TheGirlsNY

Update 2007.06.08: I selected the photo above as the BBGV group photo for June 2007. Thanks to everyone who weighed in and contributed suggestions.

Be sure to check out the comments to this post and follow the links for an interesting blog conversation about why there are so few people in these photos.

I’m a co-admin for a Flickr group, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Visitors photo pool. In May I thought I would start rotating the group photo which represents the group in Flickr. I’m trying to pick the photo for June.

It’s a tough decision. Over 200 photos were posted in May, out of over 1,100 photos since Paul-M started the group last year. And May is such an explosion. There was the Cherry Blossom Festival, of course, but there are also tulips, azaleas, wisteria, and even roses that have started blooming.

So, help me pick. Here are a few of my favorites of the 200, in order by the date taken. Leave a comment and let me know your favorites. Or you can nominate another one from the pool. The only criteria are that the picture was taken during May 2007, and that it’s not one of my photos. I’ll make a decision over the weekend.

Pink Snow, taken May 6, 2007, by Abizeleth

Cherry Lane, Taken May 9, 2007, by Keith Carver

Tulips, taken May 12, 2007, by James Prescott

Wisteria, taken May 15, 2007, by PaulS

Borage?, taken May 29, 2007, by amg

A Brooklyn Brownstone Garden in Washington D.C.

Posted on 2007-05-30 by admin

From now into October, the United States Botanic Garden in Washington D.C. is hosting an exhibit, Celebrating America’s Public Gardens: A Sense of Place:

Imagine visiting 12 botanic gardens in just an hour! This summer, instead of spending days, if not weeks, trekking off to the Midwest, Florida, California, the Pacific Northwest, and Hawaii, you’ll be able to experience beautiful gardens from all these regions with just one visit to the USBG. Our summer Terrace display celebrates the beauty and diversity of America’s public gardens — tropical gardens, conservatories, desert gardens, children’s gardens, and more — by showcasing twelve gardens from across the nation.

Garden Design Online reports that our own Brookyln Botanic Garden‘s contribution to this exhibit recreates a “typical Brooklyn brownstone, with typical Brooklyn brownstone plantings:”

This exhibit by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is planted with trees and shrubs that can be seen at the garden and in neighborhoods around the borough — Magnolia grandiflora ‘Elizabeth,’ Malus ‘Red Jade,’ River Birches, Switch Grass, and many more. BBG’s Vice-President of Horticulture, Patrick Cullina, said Brooklyn developed many kinds of special gardens that are often found in public gardens across the country.

Events for a Brooklyn Gardener-Blogger

Posted on 2007-04-28 by admin

[Updated 2007.05.01 21:00 EDT: Added Merchant’s House Museum Plant Sale.]

Some quick notes on upcoming events, most of which I’ve previously written about.

This Weekend

Today and Tomorrow, April 28 & 29, 10am-6pm
Sakura Matsuri at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The single most popular annual event at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, tens of thousands of people turn out for the Cherry Blossom Festival every year. Entrance lines and waits are long. BBG’s Blossom Status Map shows that the only cherry trees not in bloom at BBG right now are those that have already finished their show. This will surely pump up the crowds even more.

Rain is predicted both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. This morning started out beautiful and sunny, with blue skies, but it’s already clouding over. The rains will keep the crowds down. I have other commitments this weekend, or I would be there right now.

Next week

May 1-3, hours vary
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Plant Sale

This may be BBG’s second most popular annual event. The Garden closes early on Tuesday, May 1, to re-open for the Members-Only Preview Sale from 4:30-8pm. This is a feeding frenzy of plant fanatics. If you’re not already a BBG member, you can purchase a membership on-site. I’m going to try stopping by there after work on Tuesday if I can get out early enough. Anyone can visit the public sale on Wednesday, May 2, from 9am to 7pm, or Thursday, May 3, from 9am to 12noon.

Thursday, May 3, 11am-5pm
Second Annual Battery Plant Sale, The Battery, Downtown Manhattan

After September 11, the Gardens of Remembrance were planted along The Battery, at the southernmost tip of Manhattan. The plants and gardens are now entering their fifth year. As in any mature garden, the plants need to be divided and replanted. The extra divisions go into their plant sale.

The post card says the plants are “organic, pest-free, and hardy.” They have to be “hardy”. They’re growing more or less on the shore of downtown Manhattan, subject to winter winds and salt spray. Judging from the plant list for last year’s sale, selections are varied and interesting. Most of the plants, all perennials, require or prefer full sun. I could use some in the developing sunny, mixed border along the south side of the house. The only chance I have to get there is on my lunch break.

Following Week

Sunday, May 6, 10am-12noon
Merchant’s House Museum Annual Plant Sale

Located in Manhattan at 29 East 4th Street, between Lafayette St. and the Bowery, the Merchant’s House Museum plant sale benefits the Museum’s Garden Fund. Selections include divisions and seedlings from their historic garden, such as astilbes, hostas, and epimediums.

Thursday, May 10, 8pm
Second Annual Brooklyn Blogfest

This will be at the Old Stone House in J. J. Byrne Memorial Park at 5th Avenue and 3rd Street in Park Slope. I’m really looking forward to meeting some of the other Brooklyn bloggers I read. And I should have my Flickr cards in hand to give out. Collect the whole set!

Gothamist interviews BBG’s Patrick Cullina and Anita Jacobs

Posted on 2007-04-26 by admin

Skunk Cabbage, Native Flora Garden, April 14, 2007

Patrick Cullina is Vice President of Horticulture and Facilities and Anita Jacobs is director of Public Programs at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Some samples:

[Jen Carlson of Gothamist:] What’s it like working in a garden in an urban area?

PC: I love it. We get enthusiastic visitors from the many different surrounding the Garden, from across New York, and from around the world. The City itself lends both vitality and emphasis to the Garden, and the Garden returns the favor by serving to ease the encroachments that can come with urban life. …

AJ: When my friends complain about battling rush hour crowds in the city I end up rubbing salt in their wounds by mentioning that I often have to yield to a red-tailed hawk or a line of baby ducklings…I am a real nature addict, so being able [to] throw open the door and be surrounded by dozens of blooming magnolia trees is a dream.

Both of them mention the Native Flora Garden – one of my favorite gardens in the Garden – as one of their favorite spots:

What’s your favorite spot in the garden? And what’s a less-noticed part of the garden you think garden visitors should definitely see?

PC: … too many people miss the magical qualities of the Native Flora Garden—particularly in the fall. …

AJ: One of my favorite spots in the Garden is the Native Flora garden. It’s a little off the beaten path, I guess, so it’s always very quiet and peaceful and you can see a lot of spectacular migrating birds there. …

Brooklyn Botanic Garden, April 14, 2007

Posted on 2007-04-18 by admin

[Updated 2007.04.19 21:30 EDT: Added Fragrance Garden, Magnolia Plaza, Daffodil Hill, and Lily Pool Terrace.]

Magnolia Flower, Magnolia Plaza, Brooklyn Botanic Garden

We visited the Brooklyn Botanic Garden last Saturday. So did a lot of other people. It was a perfect day, the day before the Nor’Easter hit and dumped a record rainfall on New York City.

As before, two ways you can explore. The title of this post links to the Flickr set of photos. Or, you can explore the Google Map of my visit.

Rock Garden

Caucasian Wingnut

Best. Name. Ever. For a tree. This may be the most photographed non-flowering tree in the Garden. I’ll honor it with its own post some day.

Compost Demonstration Area

Another feature of the Garden deserving of its own post. Just a couple of shots here. Check the Flickr set for all the signage. I liked the homemade styles; either one would work in my garden, now that I have enough space. Yes, I’m a geek.

Native Flora Garden

Japanese Garden

I walked the south path of the garden. I don’t remember ever walking this way before. It’s a different perspective. And it’s also where the turtles like to hang out.

Fragrance Garden

This has the most beautiful stonework in the whole garden. It lies between the Shakespeare Garden and the recently landmarked Laboratory Administration Building which faces Magnolia Plaza.

Magnolia Plaza

They were at their peak when we visited. They’ll be just passing their peak right now.

Daffodil Hill

Originally known as Boulder Hill, there’s still a marker for the old name.

Lily Pool Terrace

The Annual Borders are about to explode with Tulips. I didn’t get any shots of the Mixed (Shrubs and Perennials) Border, which has year-round interest and is lovely right now. Next trip.

A Visit to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, April 1, 2007

Posted on 2007-04-06 by admin

[Updated 2007.04.07 14:30 EDT: Added photos from the Rock Garden.]
[Updated 2007.04.07 11:30 EDT: Began adding photos to this post, and added more photos to the map.]

Screenshot of my Google Map of my visit to BBG on Forsythia Day

The post title and the image above are linked to my first attempt at using the new MyMaps feature of Google Maps. Let me know if/how it works for you. Is this annoying? Helpful? Interesting? Too geeky? Too slow?

The path shows the route I took, roughly, through BBG the day of my visit. Most of the areas and placemarks on the map along the way contain photos. The photos in turn are linked to their Flickr pages. You can also just browse the Flickr set of photos from my visit.

Here are some of the photos from my visit.

Forsythia Distribution

Rock 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.

Other images

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden Visitors Photo Pool

Posted on 2007-04-03 by admin

With Spring ramping up, and Hanami upon us, this seems as good a time as any to let folks know about the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Visitors (BBGV) group and photo pool on Flickr. Here’s the original description from Paul-M, who started the group:

Pictures taken at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. This is not affiliated with the garden. I’m just a lover of the place. There is a 12 picture per day maximum.
– About Brooklyn Botanic Garden Visitors

I’m a co-administrator. The group is open to anyone for viewing, and open to any Flickr user for contributing. Contributors retain all rights.

Here is a Flickr HTML badge sampling photos from BBGV. I also have a Flash badge for the group in the sidebar.

www.flickr.com

More photos in Brooklyn Botanic Garden Visitors

I encourage everyone visiting the Brooklyn Botanic Garden this Spring to share their photos!

Flatbush Gardener

Urban Habitat Gardening with Native Plants

Tag Archives: Brooklyn Botanic Garden