A Trip to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Last weekend, I took a trip to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.  I had been meaning to go there for a while because I wanted to see their bonsai collection again but things came up or the weather was bad so it didn't happen.  It was a beautiful day last Saturday, though, and I didn't have anything I needed to do so after lunch, I took the 4/5 train to the Franklin Avenue stop and made my way to the garden.

Given that it was the first nice weekend, it was VERY crowded.  I prefer the garden when there aren't a lot of people there because it is a lot more relaxing.  It is hard to contemplate the gardens when you have to navigate people who are all trying to take pictures of everything they see.

The magnolia trees were in bloom and they were gorgeous. 

My absolute favorite was a variety called Yulan from China.

I read on the San Francisco Botanical Garden's website that this magnolia is:

"one of the most beloved of all magnolias. Called "Yulan" or "Jade Lily" by the Chinese, the exquisite lily shape of the white blossoms (some with a tinge of pink at the base of the tepals), has the longest history of magnolia cultivation going back to the Tang Dynasty – 618 AD. Its beauty was celebrated on ancient Chinese embroideries, scrolls and porcelains in scenes of the countryside. Its elegant flowers made it "a gift worthy of an emperor." The tepals (petals and sepals that aren't differentiated) are also known as a delicacy, dipped in flour and lightly fried. Today, very old gnarled specimens can be found in Chinese temples and other public places throughout China."

Given the fact that everyone was taking pictures in front of this tree, I can confirm that this magnolia is one of the most beloved.

However, my absolute favorite part of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is their Japanese garden.  Winter, spring, summer, or fall it is beautiful and relaxing.

I then walked over to see their bonsai collection.  It always blows my mind that some of these plants/trees are so old.  Like this tree, which is almost 100 years old!

Can you imagine carefully caring for and pruning a tree for almost 100 years?

I also loved seeing all their giant bromliads and their ferns, which are some of my favorite houseplants. 

After visiting the gardens, I wandered over to the garden shop to see what kind of plants they have for sale.  I have become slightly addicted to collecting houseplants so I was looking for something unique.  Unfortunately, most of the plants in the garden shop were ones you could buy at any big box store so I didn't end up purchasing anything.  I toyed around with the idea of getting a venus flytrap, but I don't know if I could give it the right conditions to keep it alive.  Given that I am trying to deal with some fungus gnats in my ferns right now, I am trying to stay away from anything that requires a moist environment.

All in all, it was a great day and given that I am now a member of the garden, I will be back soon.

Planning for Spring

Last year, I didn't grow anything on my balcony.  My heart wasn't into it.  I needed a break.  The twice daily waterings, picking up tomato plants that blew over in their pots while I was at work (and cleaning up all the dirt that came spilling out), and then cleaning out all the containers at the end of the season in my bathtub was tiring.  However, the older I get the more I accept that life is a marathon and not a sprint.  It is a OK to take time away from something.

This year I am ready for balcony gardening again albeit something a little different.  While in years past I have stuck to annual flowers, vegetables, and herbs, this year I want to start incorporating some perennials.  But not just any perennials.  Perennials that will bloom all summer long and provide flowers I can plop into vases at home or at work.

I am what you would call a plant collector.  If I see a plant I want, then I often will get it even if that means I have no where to really put it.  So my purchases this spring will speak to my cut-flower loving, collector heart.

This Josee reblooming lilac

 

This Julia Child floribunda rose



And this hardy everbearing fig.  Oh how I have wanted a fig tree for so long.




All these plants (and photos) are from Gurney's Seed & Nursery Co.  And the best part is that they are having sales, which means that my dreamy spring planting can become a reality.

Friday Inspiration: Belgium Window Gardens

Taken in Bruges, Belgium.

Gardening on the Upper East Side

Last weekend, I took a trip to the upper east side to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  I love looking at all the houses close to the museum because they are always so beautifully landscaped and decorated.  Here are pictures of some of my favorites.

Love this red door.

Friday Inspiration: Paris Balcony Garden

Taken in Montmarte this past fall.

Growing a Greener World

While I was lounging on the couch killing time before I had to catch the train back to the city during the holidays, I happened to come across "Growing a Greener World" on public television.  Growing a Greener World describes itself as a t.v. show that "features organic gardening, green living and farm-to-table cooking."  The show really caught my attention.  While the show airs during prime errand-running time, all the old episodes are posted to their website so luckily I can view them whenever I want.

I am a little late to the game, since the show is now in its fourth season.  But the other day, when I was looking at old episodes, I came across two from season three that are very relevant for us urban gardeners:  small space gardening and NYC rooftop farms.  You can watch them here and here.  I hope you enjoy Growing a Greener World as much as I do.  Its nice to dream about gardening during these very cold days.

Window Garden

As seen on Bond Street today.