Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
As I write, the summer solstice will arrive in a few hours, not on tiptoe but heralded by blazing sun and blue skies. The garden is ready to greet it. Dozens of trees and shrubs have been planted around the parking lot and in the emerging Stumpery, which gives me such a boost. Trees are a great harbinger of a bright future, and I love to observe their growth from year to year.
As I write, the summer solstice will arrive in a few hours, not on tiptoe but heralded by blazing sun and blue skies. The garden is ready to greet it. Dozens of trees and shrubs have been planted around the parking lot and in the emerging Stumpery, which gives me such a boost. Trees are a great harbinger of a bright future, and I love to observe their growth from year to year.
The mosaic floor featuring a portrait of Medusa at the Temple of the Sky is now complete. It is an exact match of the original, but without the many humps, cracks, pock marks, missing tiles, and deteriorating substrate. With systematic maintenance, we hope to keep it in good shape for decades to come. Our good friend Joyce Cowin made the leadership gift that made it possible, for which we are enormously grateful.
One of the tasks for the gardeners at this time of year is trimming the fastigiate beech trees along the canals. We are trying our best to keep them protected against various beech diseases, which involves stimulating them with rich nutrients. The result was a shockingly wild and unruly eruption of new growth, which required some serious pruning. It was like a horticultural bad hair day!
Last year, the garden entrance by the Cola Center was exuberantly planted, largely with native plants that are resistant to deer browsing. We call it the Crescent Garden because of its long, curved shape. It has really taken off and makes quite a statement in a central spot that previously provided an exceptionally dull welcome to visitors.
I would like to call your attention to two Minnie Untermyer concerts taking place in July. The first is the return of Ana Vidovic, the classical guitarist extraordinaire, in a virtuoso performance on Sunday, July 7, at 5:00 p.m. Then a chamber ensemble and a solo clarinetist of the Westchester Philharmonic will follow on Sunday, July 21, at 5:00 p.m. Their performance is dedicated to the loving memory of our devoted volunteer and friend, Chris Kenney O’Rourke, with a simple reception to follow.
Kind regards,
Stephen F. Byrns, President
Stephen F. Byrns, President
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