NYBG seasonal plantings (Carole Di Tosti)

NYB, Levon Levy Visitor’s Center-Entrance (Carole Di Tosti)

NYB, Levon Levy Visitor’s Center (Carole Di Tosti)

In times of trouble, the New York Botanical Garden has been a place of asylum and peace for many.

New York Botanical Garden (Carole Di Tosti)

New York Botanical Garden (Carole Di Tosti)

New York Botanical Garden snapdragons (Carole Di Tosti)

The 250 acres of various gardens, the serene walks, the waterfall, old growth forest, LuEsther T. Mertz Library, greenhouses, Stone Mill, ponds and Zen water designs (the Native Plant Garden, one of my favorites) provide  places to contemplate, restore, clear one’s mind and rejuvenate from the noise and chaos of our culture.

NYBG, Thain Family Forest walk (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Waterfall in the Bronx River (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG Bronx River flowing by the Stone Mill (Carole Di Tosti)

New York Botanical Garden, Native Plant Garden and water features (courtesy of the Garden)

In keeping with our steadfast and wise Governor Cuomo’s phased approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NYBG has reopened carefully since July. They’ve accomplished this with timed-entrances, hand sanitizer stations everywhere and close monitoring of members and visitors along one-direction paths to provide 6 feet social distancing.

New York Botanical Garden (Carole Di Tosti)

New York Botanical Garden hydrangeas (Carole Di Tosti)

New York Botanical Garden, Dahlia, “Mystic Spirit” (Carole Di Tosti)

The bathrooms are meticulously disinfected as is the cafe which provides drinks and outdoor dining as does the Hudson Garden Grill. There is no indoor dining anywhere and the Hudson Garden Grill provides a few salads, wine, beer, cold drinks and snacks. You can sit at one of the tables under an umbrella and enjoy a light lunch viewing the beautiful pine trees, plantings and the seasonal gardens in the distance without fear of crowds, all tables separated from each other six feet or more.

New York Botanical Garden (Carole Di Tosti)

Above all, one must visit the Garden with a mask. If one has symptoms of COVID: temperature, dry cough, body aches, digestive problems, difficulty breathing-94 oxygen level as tested by an oximeter, unusual rashes not typical of characteristic allergies, eczema, etc., in addition to cold-like flu symptoms) stay home, rest and recuperate. COVID requires not infecting others and taking care of oneself. The disease is deadly and social responsibility is an imperative when an infectious disease is easily spread in public. The Garden is a respite, but quarantine, rest, liquids, Elderberry, UMCKA and what the doctor prescribes is the only respite for COVID to avoid getting worse and having to be hospitalized.

NYBG, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, Palms of the World gallery (Carole Di Tosti)

I visited on Friday, September 25th at the last minute and found 10:30 A..M. available to visit Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and then go for a walk on the grounds. With a membership, one has free entrance to the Conservatory and parking passes are given.

NYBG Seasonal plantings (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Clematis (Carole Di Tosti

NYBG, Seasonal Plantings (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Seasonal Plantings (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Seasonal Plantings (Carole Di Tosti

NYBG, Seasonal Plantings (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Seasonal Plantings, hibiscus (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Seasonal Plantings, Hibiscus (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Seasonal Plantings, Clematis (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Seasonal Plantings, Hibiscus (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Seasonal Plantings (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, snapdragons (Carole Di Tosti)

The above pictures are what is happening around the Garden if you just plan to lift your spirits with a walk and not get involved in any other activities or go into the conservatory. The pictures below are the conservatory environs.

NYBG, fountain, interior Enid A. Haupt Conservatory (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, interior Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, fountain (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, fountain, flowering spider plant (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, fountain gallery, floral detail (Carole Di Tosti)

If you’ve run out of parking passes as I did, parking for members is discounted at $10.00 and that is well worth it. The visual beauty and healthfulness of the plants and gorgeous landscape with lovely, coordinated plantings is better than a sedative for one’s emotional state.

NYBG, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, walkway (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, walkway (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, walkway (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, walkway (Carole Di Tosti)

The Garden staff are preparing for the Kiku exhibit which takes place in the fall every year and coincides with fall activities like Pumpkin Weekend which they are already preparing. Both take place in October.

NYBG, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, Kiku Exhibit preparation (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, Kiku Exhibit preparation (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, reflecting pool (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, reflecting pool, another perspective (Carole Di Tosti)

The Conservatory is monitored by following the path through all of the galleries in the Conservatory, from the Rainforest plantings, through the Desert plantings and the exhibition galleries.

NYBG, outside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the Lotus and Water Lily Pond (Carole Di Tosti)

One can also step outside to visit the Lotus and Water Lily Pond where one will see water plants, Lotus and a variety of Water Lilies.

NYBG, Enid A. Haupt Conervatory, Lily Pond (Carole Di Tosti)

Swimming amidst the plants are coy of various sizes. One old gentleman looks to be a few decades old and has grown to a renowned size.

NYBG, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, Courtyard Plantings (Carole Di Tosti)

There is also a frog whom I heard on a few visits to the Lotus and Water Lily Ponds hanging out in the vegetation. Two Lily Ponds are in the Courtyard in the center of the environs of the conservatory.

NYBG, Lotus and Water Lilly Pond (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, Courtyard Plantings (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Courtyard Plantings, Lotus and Water Lily Ponds Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, Courtyard Plantings (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, Courtyard Plantings (Carole Di Tosti)

And there are frogs in the swampland and wild plants area of the Garden. I have heard them in the area of the Native Plant Garden.

NYBG, Native Plant Garden Water features (Carole Di Tosti)

I have also seen hummingbirds and cardinals in that area. The birds are as beautiful as the flowers that line the water features.

NYBG, Native Plant Garden (Carole Di Tosti)

NYBG, Native Plant Garden wildflowers attracting hummingbirds and nesting cardinals (Carole Di Tosti)

You will need a timed ticket to enter the Garden even if you do not go into the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. If you are a NYC resident, your entrance fee is discounted. If you go on Wednesdays, you may visit the Garden for free. Members may enter the grounds and the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory for free.

For information and tickets go to the NYBG website. https://www.nybg.org/visit/admission/?keyword=NYCResidentZIPCheck

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