Beyond Wild Expectations: Deep in The Bronx Lies New York’s Hidden Horticultural Jewel – With Rich Plant Heritage and Garden Design Inspiration for Every Season
This is a cultural destination for garden lovers and locals alike
There’s nothing quite like a garden visit to banish those winter blues, and there are few destinations more inspiring than The New York Botanical Garden. Just as spectacular during this season as in the rest of the year, it will leave you brimming with ideas to take back home, even in winter.
Spanning 250 acres of The Bronx, there are plenty of gardens and garden design ideas to explore. Weather that's gazing up at the majestic bare branches of the old-growth forest, or spotting some elusive, twinkling floral color on your way back to the tropical glasshouse, ready and waiting to envelope you in a well deserved dose of warmth.
Take a magical meander through the extensive Benenson Ornamental Conifer Collection.
Winter is the Perfect Introduction
Winter may not appear the most rewarding time to explore a garden, but there are many benefits that other seasons simply can’t offer. ‘This time of year, reveals enhanced sight lines and an alluring palette of muted colors,’ says Colin.
Arranged in gardens, spectacular glasshouses and across wider landscapes, this treasured institution is loved by locals and visitors alike. Founded in 1891, around a rare section of old-growth forest, the New York Botanical Garden has become a hub for horticultural knowledge, diversity and expertise, plus a hugely important space for recreation and reconnection with nature amidst the densely populated urban sprawl.
Even with winter's shorter daylight hours and often gloomy weather, Colin insists there is still a wealth of visual and planting inspiration to be found. ‘Although the herbaceous borders and wider landscape provide a less immediately arresting range of color, there is plenty to notice and inspire,’ he says.
‘The quiet tones of different types of bark, stem and foliage create a subtle palette, that is quieter, more soothing and perhaps a touch more sophisticated than summer’s floral kaleidoscope. I love the muted blooms of hellebores: blacks, deep reds, greens. If one is willing to cut back last year’s foliage before the bloom, the effect is even better especially when mass planted,' he suggests.
While the Benenson Ornamental Conifer Collection is a popular winter highlight, The Perennial Garden, Rock Garden, and Native Plant Gardens are undoubtably Colin's favorites.
'These are complex, intricate gardens that require a level of nuance and attention to detail that has been rewarding.' He adds, 'In the future, I’m hoping to simplify -not the work- but the communication and expectations in these spaces to hopefully make them even more beautiful.'
Snowfall in the Perennial Garden delicately traces bare branches and grass stems
The New York Botanical garden is home to many winter flowering species including an impressive collection of witch hazel, mahonia and delicate snowdrops.
Inviting scrutiny, thanks to their intricate forms and fleeting beauty, Colin believes that there’s another seasonal quality that makes them so spectacular. ‘Seeing these jewel-like blooms shine out against a steely grey sky and, often, bare earth makes them even more captivating and poignant during this quiet time of year.’
Snow also adds an extra dimension, defining not just bare branches but the Garden's fine architecture too. The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory with its soaring dome and vast glazed galleries is a spectacular sight silhouetted against the winter sky.
Azaleas in full bloom at The New York Botanical Garden
A Culturally Profound Landscape to Cherish
Located in The Bronx, firmly attached to the mainland, the botanical garden has sensitively evolved around its geographical features. Bearing the scars left by glaciers, exposed rocky outcrops and a 50-acre section of old-growth forest, it is easy for visitors to reconnect to the region's past.
With mature oak, beech and hemlock trees bearing witness to well-worn Native American hunting trails and the American Revolution, the Thain Family Forest is a valuable and poignant space that is proudly protected and preserved.
‘The forest team conduct an inventory every five years to identify and manage invasive species. Cleared areas are replanted with native species grown from seed collected in the forest, enriching the habitat and helping to preserve the space for future generations,’ explains Colin.
Wander through and admire New York's largest section of uncut old-growth forest
Raw geographical elements are scarcely seen in this densely populated region, which partly explains the steadfast affection and fascination visitors have for the 500 million-year-old Warmsler Rock.
A dramatic metamorphic outcrop, it sits unchanging against the fleeting blooms of ice blue squilla, snowdrops, narcissi, heathers and grasses.
Nestled against the edges of the Thain Family Forest is the Rock Garden. Constructed in the 1930’s, this is one of the largest and oldest examples along the East Coast.
A pioneering feature when first established, this 2.5 acre section of the garden is home to hundreds of delicate rock garden plants, many with their vibrant yet ephemeral blooms shining out against the rugged and weathered stone.
The Tropical Pool, outside the Enid A Haupt Conservatory is brimming with water lilies throughout the summer months
Embracing European Grandeur
At the time of its foundation, The New York Botanical Garden was unashamedly guided by the grand gardens of major European cities such as Paris, London, Padua and Rome.
Establishing itself as a leading horticultural institution in the United States, the founders were keen to echo the current trends in architecture and garden design.
The magnificent glasshouse – now known as the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory – was constructed by Lord & Burnham Company and completed in 1902.
Drawing on Italian-Renaissance style designs found in The Palm House at The Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, UK and Joseph Paxton’s Crystal Palace, the result is seriously impressive, featuring a magnificent, 90ft (27m) high glazed dome with wraparound pavilions that cover 512 feet (156m).
A tropical oasis throughout the year, the Enid A Haupt Conservatory impresses with it's fine architectural and diverse plant collection
For Colin, another key feature is the Tulip Allee; an avenue of Tulip Trees framing the main approach to the Library Building.
‘Conceived in 1895, with planting commencing in 1903, the commanding design is reminiscent of the wide, open boulevards found in European cities and makes a contrasting statement to the tall, hemmed-in streets of Manhattan.’
High summer in The Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden radiates lively color and fragrance
During late spring and summer, the most popular area of The New York Botanical Garden is the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden.
Featuring more than 650 rose varieties, the formal arrangement of paths and borders radiate out from a circular gazebo enclosed by ornate trellised panels and pillars.
Reminiscent of English Rose gardens, from May to October it is a memorable medley of colour and perfume.
The Native Plant Garden at The New York Botanical Garden
A Global Hub of Horticultural Knowledge
Not just a wealth of living plants, The New York Botanical Garden is home to the LuEsther T. Mertz Library and the Steere Herbarium.
Both contain extensive collections including botanical illustrations, rare manuscripts and historical specimens all carefully preserved and documented.
As the largest in the Western Hemisphere, the Herbarium holds and impressive 7.8 million specimens, 60% of which have been digitized and made accessible to the public, students and academics worldwide.
The Mertz Library is the largest botanical research library in the United States, and the first to exclusively concentrate solely on botany.
Lush foliage, majestic form and scale impress in the conservatory's Lowland Tropical Rain Forest.
Today The New York Botanical Garden is at the forefront of horticultural and botanical education, both at grassroots, professional and scientific level.
A comprehensive education programme, including The Edible Academy with its indoor-outdoor campus, invites schools, families and amateur gardeners to engage with the various plant collections.
Running along the southern edge of the conservatory, The Ladies' Border features a dreamy mix of perennials.
Nurturing its Legacy for the Future
Managing a garden of this scale, not to mention of this cultural and historical significance, is a serious responsibility. Not just to maintain the health of the plants and enable them to thrive in the current environmental challenges, but also to develop the various collections and design elements for the future, ensuring they remain relevant.
One section of the garden that has undergone several refinements is The Jane Watson Irwin Perennial Garden.
Designed in the 1970’s by Dan Kiley, they were reimagined by Lynden B. Miller a decade later and most recently in 2003.
Arranged as four garden rooms, accessed from one main path, each has its own theme or specialism. These include the Fall Room, Hot Room, Cool Room and Bog Room giving clues to either the habitat or color palette featured.
Combining a dense mix of perennials, grasses, bulbs, shrubs, and trees, the result is rich in texture, foliage and ever-changing blooms and fruits. ‘Packed into a small area, this beautifully conceived array of plants is reflective of New York’s urban decline of the 1970’s and renewal of the 80’s,’ remarks Colin.
Linden B. Miller's reworking of the original 1930's design has breathed new life into the much loved border.
Running along the southern end of the Conservatory is the Ladies’ Border. An example of design work by leading landscape designer Lynden B Miller it's now home to many tender plants that are not usually found in New York.
Peruvian lilies, dainty Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) to deliciously fragrant Paper Bush (Edgeworthia chrysantha) are all prominent and thriving, thanks not only to the sheltered south facing aspect but also indicative of the gradually shifting climate this long-standing garden has endured.
One significant project that Colin is currently undertaking, along with his team, is the renovation of the Magnolia Collection.
'We are renovating our previously existing magnolia collection to create a more varied collection, a longer season of interest, and more intimate walking paths throughout,' explains Colin.
'We are adding multiple areas of herbaceous plantings as well as understory shrub plantings. I think one of the exciting challenges with this project is creating a new planting scheme called 'Transcendental Turf' that’s basically a no-mow lawn with added perennials.
'We’re trying to see if we can create a short, meadow-like turf for visitors to enjoy year round and also because to walk on. We’ll see if it works!' The project is due for completion in 2028.
Magnolia trees captivate each spring at The New York Botanical Garden
Ideas to Steal from The New York Botanical Garden
With a garden as vast and comprehensive as The New York Botanical Garden there are endless design ideas visitors can try at home.
Here are three to try:
Sculptural forms, stunning bark and rugged natural textures provide endless winter interest
Add Layers of Winter Interest
Take a winter stroll along the curving paths of Benenson Ornamental Conifers and it’s hard not to be won over by the mass of contrasting forms, gentle tones and intricate lines.
Whether they are fringed by frost or outlined with snow it’s easy to see how these tough, undemanding plants can enliven a winter garden.
Essentially trees that bear their seeds within cones, these plants can be majestic in size but there are plenty of dwarf conifers that can create a beautiful textured landscape on a smaller scale.
Aim for a mix of shapes and foliage and include showstoppers such as a Dwarf Papoose Sitka Spruce, available from Amazon and the Gold Dwarf Mugo Pine, also from Amazon.
Reimagine Your Pathways
From wide, light filled avenues lined with trees to narrow winding paths that meander through majestic woodland and head-high grasses, The New York Botanical Garden is a great place to see how walkways can shape your garden experience.
Borrow these ideas – on a smaller scale – and reimagine your outside space. Edge a linear path with potted fruit trees to conjure up visions of a sun-soaked European terrace – these terracotta pots from Amazon are ideal.
Alternatively, why not weave a gravel or bark chip path through a densely planted border for instant mystery and intrigue.
Introduce a Statement Water Feature
A mere glimpse of the glass-like surface of Sheila Brady’s 230-foot-long water feature in the Native Plant Garden can be enough to convince you to include a water feature in your own backyard.
Reflecting the ever-changing sky above, the surrounding borders and the merest breeze or rain shower, the simplest water feature can add a new, magical dimension to your space.
Add a freestanding water table or reflective water bowl, such as this one from Amazon, placed at a pathway intersection or nestled in a border amongst arching grasses and flowering perennials.
Beyond Wild Expectations is a new series exploring exceptional public gardens of every scale, from grand formal parterres to intimate community plots. We reveal the design vision, planting choices and defining details that bring the garden to life, and show how each one gives fresh perspectives on how we connect with nature and outdoor living.
Colin Kirk joined New York Botanical Garden in 2023 as the Marjorie G. Rosen Manager of Outdoor Gardens, where he oversees a team of twelve horticultural staff that take care of the formal gardens. He has previously worked as a lead gardener at Queens Botanical Garden in Flushing, New York. He is responsible for creating the current curriculum for the Woody Identification Class at Brooklyn Botanic Garden where he has also taught for the last six years. Before this, Colin was the lead horticulturist at New York Green Roofs, a boutique green roof design firm.
