Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
There is little hierarchy here at Untermyer Gardens, as we have an all-hands-on-deck attitude. We are on track to welcoming 100,000 visitors this year—a new record. Alas, not everyone is equally conscientious about keeping the garden tidy. Consequently, Timothy Tilghman and I can be seen stooping frequently to keep our “baby” looking its best; we are not too proud …
There is little hierarchy here at Untermyer Gardens, as we have an all-hands-on-deck attitude. We are on track to welcoming 100,000 visitors this year—a new record. Alas, not everyone is equally conscientious about keeping the garden tidy. Consequently, Timothy Tilghman and I can be seen stooping frequently to keep our “baby” looking its best; we are not too proud …
The plants here are blooming their hearts out. One of our most unusual hydrangeas is Hydrangea aspera ssp. sargentii; note the prickly stems and furry leaves. The Rock and Stream Garden is sporting a large clump of Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Bleeding Hearts’, while the amphitheater is bracketed by a spectacular Campsis grandiflora ‘Morning Calm.’
One of our concerts in June featured a brass quintet from the Westchester Philharmonic. The weather at this time of year is notoriously fickle, and we were nervously weighing what to do when rain threatened. We had to improvise an unscheduled intermission, and then returned to the amphitheater when the coast seemed clear. The sun came out and imagine our surprise when a gorgeous rainbow formed. Look at the musicians taking it all in—magical!
The first session of our intern team of Yonkers public high school students is fully engaged in planting and helping to maintain our garden. Here they are up to their knees in the north pool, working in the beautiful aquatic garden.
Sneak preview: the New Yorker magazine will soon publish a Talk of the Town piece about a performance by Tom Gold Dance taking place here on July 31. The celebrated and beloved New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham visited Untermyer Gardens many times and loved what he saw. Before his death, he took on the role of matchmaker to encourage Tom Gold, a favorite choreographer of his who was noted for utilizing outdoor settings, to perform in our amphitheater. The performance will be in memory of this remarkable man who had a vision of beauty that was impeccable.
Kind regards,
Stephen F. Byrns
President, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
Stephen F. Byrns
President, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
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