Through the Year
January
The yearly Spring flower show begins in early spring with Hellebores blooming shortly after the start of the year- generally late January into February. The large white and pink Hellabore blooms are jarring to the winter eye and look like large bouquets of white and pink plastic flowers shoved into the bare dirt.
Febuary
Snowdrops are next on the scene in February. Followed by a brush of lilac Crocus, while Narcissus and Daffodils spread a golden ring around the garden and tree pits.
In late February the Japanese Plum starts blooming pinkblushed white blossoms. Usually barren, because February is bereft of bees, but this year, 2008, the bees came early, and we have plums!
March – April
Starting in March, the annual display of 15,000 Tulips starts with the early speciesTulips with a display that continues through April until May.
May
In May, the stately Irises reign, lording it over Bleeding Hearts and Blowsy Peonies, with an underbrush of Lily of the Valley, and lakes of sky blue provided by Muscari (Grape Hyacinth), Forget- me- Not and Brunneria. Pansies and Violas from the greenhouse planted out in late April provide May color around the expiring Tulip foliage.
June
The Annual Benefit in June is the only event in the garden with an entrance fee.
This year 6 pm June 11, tickets at the 89th Street Gate are $60. Always a sumptuous affair, we feature an international buffet of dishes contributed by local restaurants, and Signature dishes from Garden cooks. Live classical chamber music is featured at the event, and a wine bar.
Lilies and Glads will be in full bloom for the benefit and continue through July.
Midsummer June 20 features the start of our free Summer Concert schedule. After the Midsummer’s eve concert, four Sunday afternoon concerts at 4 pm will feature new and unusual chamber music groups and soloists.
July
On July 4 at 6 pm there is a July 4th picnic in the Garden- a free shared meal for everyone in the community- bring your favorite dish! WE will be barbecuing Hamburgs and hot dogs, and supply soda, and wine.
Starting in mid July the children’s summer Shakespeare festival arrives under the direction of award winning Morna Martell, who has adapted Shakespeare classics for these Children’s theater productions . Seating is casual , around the plank seats in the Floral amphitheater. This year’s production. This Year’s production is Midsummer’s Nights Dream, and starts July 19 at 4 pm.
August
The doldrums of August are brightened by bright Caladium, Zinnia Profusion and our Crepe Myrtle tree, which looks rather like a summer Lilac.
September
Sandwiched between September Holidays is our two day weekend Arts and Crafts Festival. Saturday usually features crafts for children in the garden and a return of our theater troupe with short selections. Sunday we welcome our New York String Orchestra for a concert, and have an afternoon of readings by the Asters and Dahlias by our own down home local New York City writers. Local Artists and crafts people exhibit and sell their wares both days.
October – November
When October leaves fall, the Japanese Anemones and Mums finally bloom, and the gardeners start clearing away the detritus of another year for composting, and prepare for our Annual November Tulip planting festival, usually held on veteran’s day weekend. A free picnic lunch of Turkey and Chili is served for the community workers as we prepare the ground and plant 15,000 Tulips for another year in the garden.
December
December Holidays - The garden sleeps except busy squirrels digging up delicious Tulip bulbs in areas unprotected by the skunk like Frittileria . Holiday Shoppers shortcut through the garden to see the bright Holly berry, hoping for a glimpse of spring
