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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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  1. Erlene says:

    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.

  2. Pat says:

    It was nice to see the NY Botanical Garden again through your eyes and lens, Mary. My husband and I had memberships there and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and often visited. The Train Show at Christmas at the NY Botanical Garden at Christmas time was always a delight as well as the orchid show.

  3. Thank you for sharing this with us. If I ever get to NYC for anything more than changing planes, I will check it out. I love gardens.

  4. Amy says:

    That is amazing that a garden like this is in the middle of a big city! I wish I could visit! I’ve been to New York city once in my life. I would love to go back and see the things I missed the first time around.

  5. Michelle says:

    These scenes are just gorgeous and I LOVE that water fountain! So beautiful! Thank you for linking up today and I hope you have a great holiday weekend!

  6. Mother of 3 says:

    That does sound wonderful and peaceful! Such pretty pictures.

  7. Laurie Hess says:

    Beautiful pictures! Another blogger just told me about the Chihuly glass exhibit at the NY Botanical Gardens. I would love to see that if it is still there. I visited the Chihuly museum in Seattle recently, and was amazed by his garden exhibits.

    • Mary says:

      Laurie, unfortunately the exhibit has closed but it certainly would have been something to marvel at.

  8. snap says:

    Wow! What an amazing oasis in NYC. I look forward to your continued tour!!!!!!

  9. A lot to discover and I like that fruit lamp on the first photo. Really appropriate for a garden.

  10. the real cie says:

    Unfortunately both my physical and financial health tend to rule out travel at this point, but you have allowed me to see a place I never would have been able to visit otherwise through your amazing photos.

  11. Lovely clear photos of such an iconic place =)
    #mysundayphoto

  12. Rhonda says:

    Your pictures are beautiful. I hope to visit New York this fall. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best.

  13. Amy says:

    It’s been years since I’ve been to NYBG. Thank you for this great photo essay – after reading it, I told my husband we need to get there soon. I’ll be featuring your post at Best of The Weekend on Friday!

  14. Mary, I absolutely loved your tour of the NYBG. You shared great info and beautiful photos. The forest is particularly interesting to me. I can’t wait to see the rose garden. Thank you for linking to Gardens Galore.

  15. OMG Mary! This is a paradise on earth!!!! It is huge! Thank you so much for travelling me 🙂

  16. Thank you for the wonderful tour and your photos that made it so good. So interesting about the remaining forest.
    We will feature your post on the next Blogger’s Pit Stop to show off your lovely gardens. So nice that you live near them.
    Kathleen
    Blogger’s Pit Stop

  17. The photo tour is so breathtaking. I had no idea how large the botanical garden was and all of the different gardens. I am looking forward to the other posts that you are planning.

  18. Jenny says:

    What a beautiful and tranquil place. Thanks for sharing your trip at #HomeMattersParty

  19. What a beautiful place! I have heard of the gardens, but this is the first time I have ever seen pictures. Such a great post! Thank you for sharing at Celebrate It!

  20. That was an amazing tour Mary, and beautiful photo’s. I would love one day to be able to go see the botanical garden.

  21. Felicia says:

    It really is a gorgeous place within the city. thanks for sharing Mary

  22. Alan Bates says:

    When we travel we like to see the local botannical museums and gardens. It looks like when we get to New York, we are going to add one more item to our must see list.

  23. Runningonempty says:

    Forgot to tick notifications box

  24. 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.

  25. 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/

  26. Michelle says:

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

  27. KVVS MURTHY says:

    Really splendid pics.Especially that horse riding statue is great.

  28. betty - NZ says:

    Wow! You just might be right! What a fabulous place!

  29. What a beautiful place, Mary! I think I’d go there all the time, too. I’ve been to NYC although I think only to Manhattan?? Where the World Trade Center blgs. used to be ~ stayed on the 49th floor of one of them in a hotel part. Was part of our Bayer-AGFA/USA Germany exchange program when I was 19 years old. Loved our layover in NYC when we returned with our exchange partners!!! We did walk through a part of one of the parks and really enjoyed it. Pinned several photos because choosing just one wasn’t an option… <3
    Hugs,
    Barb 🙂

    • Mary says:

      Thank you so much Barbara. It beautiful part of the city is that it has swatches of green all over the place. Otherwise it would be hard to survive and I think you may be referring to Battery Park which is on the tip of Manhattan. It is so much nicer now, really cleaned up and pretty with flowers.

  30. Oh Mary, your photos are so stunning. It’s like I want to reach into my screen and just soak up all the beauty for real. Imagine such an amazing space in the middle of all those concrete man made structures. No wonder you go there to escape. I would too. In fact I’d probably apply for a job just driving the tram around or playing with all the kids that want to get their hands dirty. Thank you so much for the tour, can’t wait to see the rest

    • Mary says:

      Michelle I have actually thought of applying for a job there just to be close to all this perfection!

  31. Marie B. says:

    Beautiful! Another place added to my bucket list. Can’t wait to see the rose gardens – they are always my favorite. Thanks for another beautiful photo essay, Mary 🙂

  32. Katrin says:

    Ahhh, I gotta go, I gotta go Mary! I loved the tour, Thank you, it looks just beautiful and hard to believe it is in the middle of all that City-business!

  33. Lady Fi says:

    Yes – how very gorgeous!

  34. THAT was an amazing tour! Thank you for sharing! Look forward to the rose garden and Haupt Conservatory posts!

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