The last two weeks have seen another tremendous burst of energy at the garden. Phase II of the planting at the Temple of Love was completed on scorching days of heat with more than 1,000 plants put in the ground. The results are nothing short of spectacular. Look for Phase III in the fall.
Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens: The last two weeks have seen another tremendous burst of energy at the garden. Phase II of the planting at the Temple of Love was completed on scorching days of heat with more than 1,000 plants put in the ground. The results are nothing short of spectacular. Look for Phase III in the fall. After two and a half years of effort the restored Vista was dedicated on the beautiful sunny morning of July 12. A small crowd gathered to celebrate this milestone, with speeches by Mayor Spano, Assemblywoman Mayer, and Councilman Sabatino. It was a joyful day, to say the least. Four months ago, I gave our annual Winter Lecture in the City, "Untermyer Gardens: Its Periods of Glory and Its Sack." It is now available on YouTube. If you're willing to watch a lecture for an hour (bring a glass of wine), you'll enjoy it. It shows quite a few historic pictures, including a number of historic videos. Last year, our Young Friends of Untermyer Gardens sponsored a fantastic party. This year, their Midsummer Garden Party will take place on Wednesday, August 9, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Please come to this reasonably priced event, share some wine or beer and hors d'oeuvres with friends, while listening to music and appreciating the sunset and the garden at its peak! People of all ages are welcome. During these Dog Days of summer, there is no Delight more Delicious (the Four Ds) than a visit to Untermyer Gardens.
Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens, So much is happening that our heads are spinning. On June 21, we celebrated our Summer Solstice Sunset Soirée, which set records in attendance and fund-raising. More photos will come in my next missive, but here is a nice shot of one of our Celebrity Chefs, Marian Heiskell, sampling the icing on her cake. It was so much fun! We have two additions to our hardscape. One is our first batch of new signs, to be followed by elegant interpretive signage when funding is available. The other is a "sculpture" made by the gardeners out of century-old rusted steel edging, placed on the truncated axis of the historic Rose and Dahlia gardens next to the bottom of the Vista. It looks like a little Richard Serra to me! Phase II of the planting of the Temple of Love is now underway, and butterfly-shaped beds have been readied for a major horticultural addition. The garden is looking just fabulous now; no more need be said. Take in these pictures and come visit! I wasn't kidding when I said how busy we are--busy as bees. As if to symbolize the human energy expended by the gardeners, a giant swarm of bees descended on the Rock Garden, a part of the garden awaiting restoration. As it happens, we hope to turn to it next year! Kind regards, Stephen F. Byrns
President, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy |
AuthorAll about Untermyer Gardens: history and horticulture. Archives
August 2024
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