April 8, 2021
Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
We are starting to trumpet the tenth anniversary of the Conservancy’s founding and our many accomplishments. Why do we consider TEN an important number/threshold? I can think of no better way to illustrate it than with a “digital” portrait of Timothy Tilghman, whose fingers have literally touched every aspect of the garden and shaped its renaissance. His rugged hands personify the “can-do” approach of the Conservancy.
Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
We are starting to trumpet the tenth anniversary of the Conservancy’s founding and our many accomplishments. Why do we consider TEN an important number/threshold? I can think of no better way to illustrate it than with a “digital” portrait of Timothy Tilghman, whose fingers have literally touched every aspect of the garden and shaped its renaissance. His rugged hands personify the “can-do” approach of the Conservancy.
Another emblem of our “can-do” spirit is our donation safes. Heavy as can be and as impregnable as Fort Knox (at least so far), they were fashioned by our gardeners and have served us well during the pandemic. Plus, they are a great way to recycle tree trunks. The first design was rather Classical, followed naturally by a more Baroque expression. Will Rococo be next?
I have good news and bad news about our spring bulbs. The good news is that Daffodil Hill, just below the Temple of Love, is now ablaze with tens of thousands of cheerful yellow blooms, which last year could only be shared with nearby hospitals and nursing homes. The bad news is that we will not have tulips this year. Last year, ours were beset by Botrytis tulipae, or Tulip Fire, a tulip blight that becomes embedded in the soil and causes myriad brown spots to appear on the petals. While there is no sure way to get rid of it, we are hoping that by giving the soil a rest from tulips this year, we will enable them to return next year. Our fingers are crossed!
Starting on Friday, April 16, the garden will return to timed entry visitation in order to prevent overcrowding while COVID is still with us. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays the garden will be closed in the morning, and reserved time entry will be in effect from noon until 6:00 p.m. Please register for a time slot online, available on Monday mornings weekly at 9:00 a.m. With less crowding expected on weekdays, we hope that visits on Monday through Thursday will be open admission from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., without a reservation. If the weather cooperates, we will turn on the water in the canals and cascades within the next two weeks.
Our tours and classes are ramping up with warmer weather at hand. Please check the schedule and reserve your place at these interesting and fun events. A special new offering is our Family Adventure Tours, which are geared to children ages 7-12. Three new tours, rotating weekly throughout the summer, will explore plants, mythology, architecture, sculpture, and ruins. All children must be accompanied by an adult and will engage with the garden in a fun and lively way.
Our tours and classes are ramping up with warmer weather at hand. Please check the schedule and reserve your place at these interesting and fun events. A special new offering is our Family Adventure Tours, which are geared to children ages 7-12. Three new tours, rotating weekly throughout the summer, will explore plants, mythology, architecture, sculpture, and ruins. All children must be accompanied by an adult and will engage with the garden in a fun and lively way.
Kind regards,
Stephen F. Byrns
President, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
Stephen F. Byrns
President, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
RSS Feed