Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
Not in many years has the snow lingered on the ground for so long. Thankfully, the gardeners have cut a path that winds through it. What a fun way to wander around the garden, as you are led along the way. One path was recently studded with the shadow of the crenellated wall nearby, creating an interesting effect.
Not in many years has the snow lingered on the ground for so long. Thankfully, the gardeners have cut a path that winds through it. What a fun way to wander around the garden, as you are led along the way. One path was recently studded with the shadow of the crenellated wall nearby, creating an interesting effect.
This is the season when the gardeners engage in their biggest recycling effort of the year, that of washing many thousands of plastic pots. It is quite an effort and enables them to plant thousands of seedlings in re-used pots and care for them in our greenhouses.
With temperatures going down to zero and below a few times this winter, I have been concerned about some of our trees that are marginally hardy in our plant zone. I am delighted to report that the Monkey Puzzle tree on the east side of the Walled Garden is looking quite healthy and robust, its vivid spiky leaves contrasting boldly with the snow. At the Vista, it’s interesting to see the warm brown color developed by the rows of evergreen Cryptomeria.
Here is a funny historical tidbit. An extensive piece in The New Yorker (May 18, 1940) about Samuel Untermyer after his death notes that Minnie Untermyer had purchased two Italian Renaissance ceilings from the estate of Stanford White that were never installed but stored in a barn on the property. According to family legend, there’s more to the story. While at the auction, Minnie wondered if she could buy them and sent a telegram to her husband, who replied, “No price too high.” He thought he had instructed her not to buy them, but Minnie thought he had approved, so buy them she did! Punctuation makes all the difference.
Although our summer concert series is months away, I am pleased to report that Lori Belilove and the Isadora Duncan Dancers will return to our amphitheater this year. The company danced here in the 1920s and 30s during Samuel Untermyer’s lifetime. Here is a charming video of a performance in 1932.
Although our summer concert series is months away, I am pleased to report that Lori Belilove and the Isadora Duncan Dancers will return to our amphitheater this year. The company danced here in the 1920s and 30s during Samuel Untermyer’s lifetime. Here is a charming video of a performance in 1932.
Kind regards,
Stephen F. Byrns
President
Stephen F. Byrns
President
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