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Enid A. Haupt Conservatory
This Victorian Style glasshouse is home to a world of plants...literally!First visit to the Bronx Botanical Garden and certainly not my last. I purposely struck out on my own in this garden, instead of sticking with my tour group. Yes, I admit, this was an escorted tour. I can feel the cringing of my more independent-minded travel friends when I describe tour. I say, don't dismiss it till you try it.
The sheer size of this garden reminds me of Longwood Garden. The grounds of this garden contain rock outcroppings, rolling meadows, ponds, the Bronx River and miles of rustic paths winding through the grounds. Your inner child would love this place! This is the perfect place for long thinking walks or finding the perfect spot to get away from the world for a while.
The more organized and formal gardens are a treat! Time being a limiting factor on daytrips, I wound up spending most of my time in the conservatory, rock garden and the formal rose garden. Even wandering around these areas, I managed to go through two bottles of water. Water: Never leave home without it!
I did manage to pop into to "Shop in the Garden" and peruse the goods for sale. It is
Tropical Flower
A colorful flowering tropical plant..of some name... the usual, although expensively priced, variety of gimicky souvenirs and knick-knacks. Okay..I was sold on the copper dipped Orchid Christmas tree ornament. You can't get those in Philadelphia, or so the sales clerk assured me. Oh yes, there was also the enclosed self maintaining ecosystem sphere, the rose tea cup and saucer set, and the Lenore Solmo earrings. Ahhh..hmmm..I guess the less said on my souvenirs the better. Next topic!
To my surprise the cafe sold small bottles of Beujolais wine to accompany your meal. A perfect ending to a surprisingly good day!
Here are a few facts about the garden, they might come in handy if you are a quiz show contestant:
Founded in 1891, the Garden is one of the world’s great collections of plants, the region’s leading educational center for gardening and horticulture, and an international center for plant research. The Garden is alive with opportunities for discovery, from an “ecotour” of the world in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory to an innovative indoor/outdoor science museum for kids to 48 exquisite gardens and plant collections, all on a 250-acre National Historic Landmark site in New York City’s Bronx borough.
The Garden Braintrust:
Reflecting Pool
After entering the Conservatory, visitors are greeting with a reflecting pool surrounded by tropical flowers and palm trees. The International Plant Science Center staff consists of 170 researchers, technicians and assistants. 60 of these staff members hold PH.D degrees. Wow! Now I know who to go to with ALL my lawn and garden questions!
The Bronx Greenup: An outreach program that facilitates neigboorhood residents to turn vacant lots into green spaces by providing horticultural advice, technical assistance and training to area residents. A similar program to Philadelphia Green which has done wonders for the city of Philadelphia.
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yubert
Yubert Fang
Excellent pics!
The "Blue skies" picture is awesome! Keep up the great work!