A visit to the American Impressionist garden at the New York Botanical Garden had been on my list for a while and knowing the exhibit would soon close…well time was of the essence! I’ve always loved the artistic style painting of American Impressionism (think Monet and van Gogh) and knowing flowers were involved…well it was a no brainer to head to the Bronx to check it out.
In ten days the exhibit would close and it was obvious that the bloom had diminished quite a bit. The flower beds were meant to resemble plantings around artists’ stomping grounds in the Northeast…so of course the exhibit had to also include a reproduction of a weathered front porch of a clapboard home from the era as well…complete with rocking chairs.
But it was still beautiful…enough color remained to make my own impressionist painting using an app to get the painterly effect.
As I made my way through the remaining sections of the conservatory, it didn’t take long to spot the polka dot begonia. How brilliant of mother earth…it’s believed that the spots scatter sunlight within the leaves, helping this type of begonia adapt to lower light below a forest canopy.
Even though I’ve never been a big fan of coleus…after seeing this gorgeous arrangement…well lets just say that I’ve totally changed my mind…
Out the doors of the conservatory were the courtyard pools and they were dominated by the Victoria amazonica – the world’s largest water lily whose leaves can span seven feet across. Amazing.
But it was these adorable little faces…the lotus seed pods…that just fascinated me. Based on the number throughout the pools it was obvious they had peaked in bloom as well. Totally fine with me…as I’d never seen the various stages of these pods.
The sky was perfect to play with reflections…
A subtle breeze and big billowy clouds constantly covered and uncovered the sun…allowing nature to paint it’s own impressionist art throughout the afternoon.
From my neighborhood (the Upper West Side in Manhattan) it’s only a thirty minute subway ride and a ten minute walk…providing a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city on a hot summer day.
By the way…are you familiar with Chihuly? Well if you’re in New York next year (4/22 thru 10/29) you’ll be in a for a treat! For the first time in more than ten years, Dale Chihuly will have a major exhibition with monumental installations within and around the most celebrated sites in the New York Botanical Garden’s landscape. (Check out my blog posting when Chihuly was at the Desert Botanical Garden in Arizona a couple of years ago. It was a wowza!) This is definitely going on the calendar!
Too bad you ended with next year’s Chihuly exhibition, Robin, because now I can’t get that out of my mind!!! We had such a grand exhibition in Atlanta’s Botanical Garden years ago (before I moved), so I know the treat in store for you and NYC!
But, back to THIS post and the American Impressionistic Garden! I love that you pay attention to these goodies within your city and then GO to them, because we’re the richer for it. Seeing things through YOUR eyes is always a treat…because, as we all know, everyone witnesses things differently. Seeing YOUR take on the lotus seed pods was my favorite part of this post. But then, the app rendition of your own impressionistic painting was also brilliant. I love seeing things through your eyes! Thank you.
Oh so true Ginnie! Chihuly’s exhibition in Arizona was mind blowing…and I can bet that it’ll be even more grand here in NYC!
It’s so hard to stay on top of all the things there are to do here in NYC. I get feeds and look at magazines and then a week later I find myself asking…How did I miss that! Ha! Because there’s just so much to see, do and experience! Yes, those little pods just captured my heart. If only I could’ve waded in those pools and cut them all to take home with me! Thank always for your comments and visits!
A glorious exhibit and visit you had! Polka dot begonia! 🙂 And the waterlilies are especially stunning. Thank you for sharing this experience.
So welcome Ruth! Whenever I go to the Botanical Gardens I always enjoy looking for the unusual and this was definitely one of them! Thank you so much!!
Everything in this post is absolutely beautiful. I can’t even pick which photo I love best. But I think the app you used to make your photo look just like a painting is way cool. Thanks so much for sharing these beautiful photos with us. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE flowers… and I love you MORE! XoXo
Thanks my sweet! When we get together in Arizona I’ll show you the app! Easy peasy. Safe travels and see you soon!!!! xo
So very stunning! Looks like you picked a perfect day to visit. I also love all the stages of the lotus seed pods and the lovely reflections … so happy you shared!
Thanks Susan! Looking back at some of the images on their website it’s clear I missed the major bloom…but always lovely to visit regardless! xo
Great pics!
Thanks Sal! Appreciate the visit!
These are really wonderful, Robin, especially those lotus pods and the lily pads seemingly floating in space.
Thanks Kim! Those pods just stole my heart!
Thank you for the beautiful tour. You captured the gardens only the way you can showing off their serenity and elegance.
Thanks Abby! So much!
Ha Ginnie beats me with her excitement about knowing that Chihuly is in NYC when we go west in October ;)…
I LOVE the pictures of all the flowers and the water lilies. Isn’t it a gift for us to see all that beauty.
We are lucky that we all can see it because you took those fabulous pictures. Thanks for sharing..
I know we will see more about your visit to Chihuly 🙂
Love and hugs.
Thanks Astrid! There’s so much beauty and the colors that mother earth puts together just blows my mind! Chihuly in 2017!!!
What a delightful visit! Thank you for taking us along and for the amazing pictures. I cannot decide which one I like best – I guess all of them.
Thanks so much Karen for your visit! You must put NYBG on your list for one of your trips to NYC!
Swooning over here! Just swooning:)
Every drop. Sipping it grateful.
What a wonderful batch of beauty – thank you.
-Jennifer
Thanks Jennifer!! You and your beautiful words…just love it!!
Such stunning and beautiful captures, RR.
You’re the only one I know that makes a photograph look more beautiful than it would looking at it in person. When you look at some smaller objects in person, such as flowers, to really appreciate it, you would have to bend down, have the correct glasses on (In most cases) and squat down or bend over for awhile to capture the beauty and details.
You do all the work and I get to look at it so intensely and deeply and notice details I know I would miss in person.
Thank you for sharing.
Love you. XOXO
Thank you my dear….ALWAYS! Love you!!!!
As usual loved your beautiful photos of such amazing places (all over world). Thanks for letting me enjoy the overflowing gardens of NY.
So wonderful to hear from you Pat! Thanks so much for dropping by…you are more than welcome!