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The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World: NYBG

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Last month I made a visit to our local Botanical Garden here in New York.  It is truly an oasis in the middle of the city and close to my home. 

I’d like to share a bit of the magic that goes on around here with you today.  

A warning, this also happens to be a long photo essay, but I believe if you stick with me till the end it will be worth your time. And you will see why I consider it to be the greatest botanical garden in the world.

Statue in front of the Library, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
I should start by explaining the location of this most beautiful of gardens.  It is in the Bronx, the northern of the five NYC boroughs.  It is surrounded by apartment buildings, congestion, highways and noise.  This is why I think of it as an oasis.

When we first walked in I was greeted by this unusual lamp-sculpture. 

light sculpture, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
The NYBG was founded back in 1891 and is a National Historic Landmark. 
detail of fir tree, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
The NYBG is at 250 acresthe largest garden in any city in the United States,  with a huge variety of natural habitats to see.  There are many winding roads and lots of trees. 
a road with tall trees, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
various trees, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
But my favorite part is the flowers which grow all over the gardens.  And there are many gardens with an abundance of flowers to see. 
flower The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
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​At the start of our trip we encounter this long “U shaped road with towering trees, named “the Tulip Tree Allee”. 

road leading up to the library, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
It leads us to this grand building and a water fountain named “The Fountain of Life” and created by Charles E. Tefft. 
The Fountain of Life water fountain, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
The Mertz Library, which is the most important horticultural and botanical library in the world, also houses an Art Gallery and a research center. 
The Mertz Library, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com

​Past the buildings, we find picturesque scenes such as this; it even comes with its own rustic fence. 

Picturesque scene, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
The Twin lakes are just beyond the library. 
Twin lakes, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
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​Visitors can get around the gardens by walking, which is what we did, or by taking a tram that travels all along the roads and drops you off at various gardens. The tram also has a tour guide.
long and winding road, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
Yes, there are many types of gardens here. A rock Garden, a Native Plant garden, an azalea garden and so much more.  It is well worth your while to come back at different times of the year and admire the changing beauty. 
hydrangea, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
rocky landscape, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
​Past the Magnolia trees, which were not in bloom at the time of our visit, we reach the Howell Family Garden which provides hands-on gardening experience for those who want to learn. 
benches next to a wall of vines, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
Vegetable garden, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
It is also child friendly. encouraging the young ones to get their hands dirty.  I remember this green caterpillar from the days when I used to bring my boys here over 25 years ago. 
living green caterpillar, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
​Let’s take a seat and look over to the lilac collection.  And beyond that is the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden.  I’ll be showing you photos from this extraordinary garden next time.  
Looking towards the rose garden, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
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​The NYBG is much more than just gardens.  It is a major educational center where people come to learn at the Continuing Education Center.
Stone building The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
​Walking along the Cherry Collection, we took a path which led us down to the river. 
heart shaped leaf, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
The waterfall, an oasis within the oasis. 
waterfall, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
Naturally Beautiful Wood Prints

​We walked up the path that led us to a bridge.

Road to the bridge, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
On the bridge overlooking the Bronx River which runs the length of the NYBG. It is 24 miles in length and is the only fresh water river in New York City. 
overlooking the Bronx river, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
Free 5x7 Wooden PhotoBoard (reg. $40)

​Past the river is the Thain Family Forest.  A side note here, when I first came to the NYBG many years ago I was left speechless by the scope of this forest located in the middle of the oasis.  It is “the largest remaining tract of original forest that once covered New York City.”  You can read more about this magnificent forest here.

Road in Thain Forest, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
​Next to the Native Plant Garden is a cascading waterfall.
waterfall in pond, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
Waterfall in pond, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com


​From a distance we see the Haupt Conservatory.  It is what I consider to be the Jewel of the gardens.  I was going to talk about it here, but after a while I had added so many photos it became too much. I’ll be sharing these with you soon. After all this special place deserves a photo essay of its own. 
Dome of the Haupt Conservatory, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
There is also a conifer forest but it was such a long walk that we gave up and decided we’d come back in the fall again when the fall foliage is at its best!
Tree with low lying branches, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
And to end this long photo essay, we go to where we started, with a light. 
Street lamp, The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
By looking at the photos it may not necessarily be very impressive but when you consider where this oasis is located, well then it puts things in perspective.  I have come here many times to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and have found peace and happiness. 

This is why it is the greatest botanical garden in the world, just a stones throw from the maddening city streets.  

Next time I will share the beauty of the rose garden. 

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The fountain of life waterfountain, #photography #NY #USAcity #photoessay #travel #botanical #horticultural #flowers #plants #forests #BotanicalGarden #NYBG #NewYorkOasis The Greatest Botanical Garden in the World, www.theboondocksblog.com
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Erlene

Saturday 15th of September 2018

It must have been so lovely to walk through those gardens. I've only been to one botantical garden in California, but love to see more. It's always so peaceful.

Michelle

Monday 27th of August 2018

Beautiful photos Mary! I love how you share your adventures. :)

Mary

Monday 27th of August 2018

It's always an adventure for me when I go out with my camera. I drive the family crazy!

Runningonempty

Monday 27th of August 2018

I had no idea this existed in NYC! How wonderful! Looking forward to see the rose garden etc. it’s great they let the public do gardening! If you have not already, you could link your post at this garden link party http://everydayliving.me/2018/08/27/gardens-galore-no-11/

Mary

Monday 27th of August 2018

I know this is such a special place in NY. I will link up immediately, thanks!

Jeanie Croope

Monday 27th of August 2018

I can see why it gets the great reviews. Gorgeous -- every photo (all wonderful, by the way) tell the story of a place deeply loved and cared for.

Mary

Monday 27th of August 2018

It is very much loved Jeanie, by me and everyone who visits.

Runningonempty

Monday 27th of August 2018

Forgot to tick notifications box

Mary

Monday 27th of August 2018

Haha!

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