The New Native Garden at the New York Botanical Garden.

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by Gloria

Really glad you like the garden articles. These public gardens using native plants can be inspiring.

I really did!

I even surprised Jeff by saying I (might) want to go to NY--the Bronx...then explained why. He knows I'm not a city person.

Originally Posted by linrose

Long ago I had a friend that went to work at the NY Botanical Garden and tried to convince me to come with him and work there too. Ah, the choices we make in life, but I was not a city girl so it was not to be!

Looking back, I'm sure it is interesting to see the choices we made in our lives that led us here and not elsewhere.

I am definitely not a city boy!

Originally Posted by linrose

It was inevitable that they would create such a garden, especially given the $15 million dollar grant. You can do a lot with 3 and a half acres and that amount of cash. It's interesting they chose plants that are native to the Northeast which spans a good deal of real estate, that's why I love the photo of Spigelia marilandica - Woodland pinkroot - which doesn't naturally occur anywhere near New York state. I love it in my garden though!

I can imagine what I could do with even $5,000!

Yes, I noticed that the focus was much broader than what I'm planning on doing. I guess I have to realize it is a garden...and it will be visited by people from all over...so, those from the wide expanse we call the Northeast will likely see something that they recognize from home.

Originally Posted by linrose

90,000 plants of 400 species went into this garden, I can imagine the work involved. Actually I like the sharp contemporary lines of the pool, it offsets the naturalistic plantings around it in my view. To me it whets your senses to the plant life around it in contrast. Blame it on my love for architecture in landscape. Too much soft needs a little hard.

I'm sure there are those, like yourself, who do love it. It is not for me. --I remember Jeff and I going to see Falling Water YEARS ago...the tour guide said people either love it, or hate it. I was in between, there were definitely aspects I liked and admired, but other things struck me as out of place or unnatural. It was described as blending into the natural landscape...but that made me picture something even more compatible with its surroundings than what I saw.

I see your point about the contrast...but I was hoping for at least some water's edge that was natural and more accessible to wildlife--perhaps it is there, just not featured in the pictures or video.

Originally Posted by linrose

I'm glad to hear they are expanding a Native Flora Garden which will feature only New York state native plants. That one will really focus on natives which local visitors can take note of. Makes ya wanna live in the Bronx right??? Not for this country girl though!

I like that they are doing that too.

I can't fathom living there...but, even for this (new) country boy, I can almost imagine visiting there.

[Gloria]

My husband Peter loves New York. I have visited many times. I always wind up in its gardens. Though born and raised in the city of Chicago I am very comfortable in the wilds. It is the in between burbs that drive me to distraction with their uniformity.

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by Gloria

Though born and raised in the city of Chicago I am very comfortable in the wilds.

That is cool!

Originally Posted by Gloria

It is the in between burbs that drive me to distraction with their uniformity.

Just imagine if suburbs could become uniform native habitats based on what would naturally grow there.

[Gloria]

An hour and 22 minutes of video but well worth watching. Doug Tallamy and Rick Dark as well as the gardens designer speak of the how and why of this native plant garden.

https://youtu.be/NZ1rRY1Htp4

[jack]

Originally Posted by Gloria

An hour and 22 minutes of video but well worth watching. Doug Tallamy and Rick Dark as well as the gardens designer speak of the how and why of this native plant garden.

https://youtu.be/NZ1rRY1Htp4

I was just in Manhattan over the weekend. Wish I knew about this while I was there! Next time, for sure!!!