The Obsessive Neurotic Gardener

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Where the hell do I begin?

When I recently ended my short visit to the New York Botanical Garden, I felt like an infant who freaks out after being overstimulated. I had to crawl into the fetal position, take some deep breaths in order to recover. It was like Disney World for the plant lover. GOOD FRIGGIN TIMES!

I won’t bore you with a lot of words since you can read up on all there is to know on the NYBG web site. The truth is, I’ll never be able to truly convey the feeling I had while there. NYBG is located in the Bronx, NY and to call it an oasis in a big urban city is an understatement. I love the excitement of driving in NYC (not joking) but when you enter the grounds it’s like a 1,000 angels playing the harp just for you. You no longer comprehend that you are in a city; it is a world unto it’s own.

We took the 1/2 hour trolley ride around the grounds and learned all about the history of the garden dating back to the 1800’s. There were a few stops along the way, including The Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden where many of the blooms were past their prime but you can still appreciate the beauty, the scent and effort involved with this slice of heaven:

For someone who has struggled to grow roses successfully my whole life, it was awe inspiring. I will be back next year during prime bloom time and hopefully will pass out from the sight.
I have voiced my frustration with daylilies in a prior post, and have considered removing them completely from my gardens … until I came face to face with the Daylily Walk:      

I know very little about Waterlillies but you don’t need to be all that educated to appreciate how stunning they are, especially on a beautiful, sunny day like we had:

But truth be told, nothing got me more fired up than the Perennial Garden. I recently saw the gardens featured on an old episode of Victory Garden so I already knew the background and what went into the choice of plants here. With the conservatory in the background, it is a stunning locale. As I walked the grounds, the term “lush” kept screaming in my head and you can see why:  

A quick stop at the Herb Garden was all we had time for but what a site scent it was. I have virtually no sense of smell (long story) but even I could smell the intoxicating scent of curry in the air (still not sure exactly what it was as we were in a rush at that point):      

My wife and I have a pact to visit the NYBG at least three times a year going forward as we missed out on:

Some of the fascinating landmarks:

Fantastic collections of rock walls:

Stunning vistas:

And the conifer arboretum:

We did manage to walk through the incredible exhibition “Gardens of the Alhambra” which was beyond words but unfortunately, my batteries died in the camera and I was only able to get a few pics:

I can’t wait to get back again in the Fall and will be sure to share the experience with you once again.

John

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19 Responses

  2. gorgeous…i have never been but that looks like a gardener’s dream come true.

    we always go to longwood gardens in pa. maybe we will switch it up!!

    you did an awesome job capturing it!!!

  4. Stunning! I LOVE the waterlillies shot!!
    So many great pics…I have never been to the NY Botanical Garden we always go to Jardin Botanique de Montreal.
    Ruta

  8. We were just in NYC this past wkend and made a side trip here! We took a taxi in but took the train back to NYC. A little cheaper, and actually more direct and quicker. We took the trolley ride through the gardens and really enjoyed ourselves. We didn’t walk through as many places as you so I didn’t get many photos but it was a nice respite. We were busy doing ‘other important things’ (with my daughter) so didn’t really have the right amount of time to spend getting the most out of what was there, but we did walk down to the Bronx River and see the waterfall, which was lovely. I want to go back sometime and spend more time taking in each section. I like your photos of the Astilbe and other perennials in bloom. We didn’t seem to see as much in bloom. Were you just there or is this from a couple of wks ago? I’m thinking about going back next year after they add the Native Plants Section…that should be a nice addition.

  10. Hi I am soooo happpyyyy to find your blog and someone who can be lyrical about plants! So enjoyed the above tour and feel like a garden visit now myself. Great to meet you from Cape Town. I can just imagine how massive the garden must be. I will start to blog about my garden when the renovations starts as well. Am new to blogging and have just done a few posts on my garden.

    Veronica
    http://www.tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com

  12. Yes it is quite beautiful. I wish I would have known you were out wondering my gardens, I would have offered you tea!! LOL!!
    Love Di ♥

  14. One of my favorite places. I got to see it in May. Equally impressive! Gives you hope or overwhelming. Can’t remember how I felt! Lovely photos. Sorry your battery died! I know how that feels!

  18. I’ve visited this Botanical Garden in a couple of times, and I have to say I feel so happy to find a place in new York where you’re free of the noise of the city and also pollution doesn’t exist.

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