NY Botanical Gardens: A Spring Walk

The NY Botanical Gardens Conservatory

One of the joys of living in NY is being continually surrounded by Art, Artifacts, Museums, various cultures and foods, only to name a few of many places to visit in New York.  Recently a friend and I ventured to the Botanical Gardens, located in the Bronx, NY.  No matter what time of year you come to visit there is always something new to see.  The Gardens feature an array of various exhibits as the seasons permit; Orchids in April, Magnolia Trees, and Lilacs in May.  The Botanical Gardens has the largest collection of flowers around the world. The beautiful photo of the Red and Yellow Tulips I posted in my Wordless Wednesday was taken on our last journey.

                       Tulips                                                                                             Field of Tulips

As we strolled along the long walkways, the Magnolia Trees were in bloom, Lilacs just bursting through, and Tulips galore!

                         Magnolia Tree                                                           Magnolia Trees along the Walkway

                                                                                           Lilac Tree

Further along the pathway is this freshwater Waterfall which we learned is part of the Bronx River, which runs all through lower Westchester.  One of our main Parkways that everyone travels is the Bronx River Parkway, which every time it rains, the Bronx River overflows and traffic is halted as they close the flooded Parkway.  One of nature’s beautiful hazards of living here!

Bronx River Waterfall

Founded in the late 19^th Century, and opened in 1891, the Gardens were the dream of a Columbia University botanist, Nathaniel Lord Britton, and his wife, Elizabeth. This is the original home they lived in while donating most of their 50 acres of land to New York to develop the Botanical Gardens which is now a National Historic Landmark.

                                                                              Lorlei House

The most visited exhibit is their landmark Rose Gardens, known as the “Peggy Roosevelt Rose Gardens”, designed by President Roosevelt for his wife; which feature over 3,500 variety of Roses.  The Botanical Gardens has the largest collection of flowers around the world.

                                                                       Peggy Roosevelt Rose Gardens

The Conservatory (which I was fortunate enough to work while in College) also offers a living plant museum, offering educational programs for many botanists around the world, studying horticulture and plant science. (see picture at the beginning).

                                                        Greenhouse (Back of the Conservatory)