Azaleas

It's that time of the year again, and the azaleas (Rhododendron spp) are exploding at The New York Botanical Garden. The walk to my office has gotten progressively more beautiful during the last week. [NOTE: Don't know which variety is shown in the image above (there are over 10,000 cultivars), but this is definitely my favorite color of azalea.]   

My Office (From the Archive)

Nothing more than a slow spin in my office chair with a video camera. Look for the Burmese mala, the Sonic Youth photo, my orange NYBG cap, and the postcard of the Tibetan flag. Sorry about the mess. Music is by Amiina. [NOTE: This video was originally posted in April, 2009. My office now has a few more books, a new brass Buddha from Laos, field books from Vietnam scattered all over the floor (see Field Books), a new Pachira aquatica Aubl. plant in a clay pot, and a 21.5 inch iMac - and several unfinished grant proposals - on the desk. I left the orange NYBG cap somewhere in southwestern China].

Postcard from The Bronx

Last Friday there was a beautiful snowstorm at The New York Botanical Garden. Huge flakes.  I stopped what I was doing (preparing my class for today), went outside, stood in the snow with my video camera, and did a slow pan.  [NOTE: Full disclosure, I went home shortly after this to enjoy the weather...].

MOU

On the 8th of December, a Memorandum of Understanding was sign between The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST). The agreement was signed by Prof. Chau Van Minh, President of VAST (on the left), and Dr. Jim Miller, Dean and Vice President for Botanical Science at NYBG (on the right). Let the fun begin. [NOTE: Dr. Ninh Khac Ban (see Which Rattan Is That?) is standing second from the right in the back row].

Happy Halloween

Scott Cully carving up an 1,800 pound pumpkin as part of the Halloween festivities at The New York Botanical Garden.  Pretty scary. Might make it into the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest jack o' lantern. Go here for the full story.  

Daylilies

The daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are in full bloom at the Botanical Garden.  Hard to stay in the office when all of this is going on outside.

The Poetry of Flowers

Took a walk through the Conservatory at The New York Botanical Garden this morning and was captivated by the exuberance of flowers in the Emily Dickinson's Garden show. Never knew she was an accomplished gardener as well as a poet. 

Sekiyama

A cluster of Japanese flowering cherry trees (Prunus serrulata sekiyama) has burst into bloom in front of my office at NYBG. Thousands of pink blossoms.  Truly one of the most opulent floral displays of spring.  And the ground below is already covered with fallen petals (see Eihei Dogen's Genjokoan for context).

Spring Planting

There's spring planting, and then there's SPRING PLANTING. Here, the grounds crew at The New York Botanical Garden lowers a large, fragrant snowbell tree (Styrax obassia Siebold & Zucc) into place. One more gorgeous flowering tree to add to the already spectacular collection.

Signs of Life

The warm weather has apparently triggered something, and buds are popping all over the Botanical Garden. This cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas L.) is right outside my office. I am so ready for spring...