January 31, 2023
Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
In winter, the garden still bustles with activity both outdoors and in. One particularly imaginative task is the research and selection of seeds for our ever-changing plant display during the growing season. Great care is given to color schemes and periods of bloom so that the garden always looks sensational. We were delighted when the esteemed garden writer Margaret Roach invited our assistant head gardener, Drew Schuyler, to share his expertise about seed selection in a New York Times article, which also features several excellent photographs taken by our multitalented gardener John Jacono. Drew does a remarkable job finding unusual plants that make Untermyer Gardens so distinctive.
Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
In winter, the garden still bustles with activity both outdoors and in. One particularly imaginative task is the research and selection of seeds for our ever-changing plant display during the growing season. Great care is given to color schemes and periods of bloom so that the garden always looks sensational. We were delighted when the esteemed garden writer Margaret Roach invited our assistant head gardener, Drew Schuyler, to share his expertise about seed selection in a New York Times article, which also features several excellent photographs taken by our multitalented gardener John Jacono. Drew does a remarkable job finding unusual plants that make Untermyer Gardens so distinctive.
Every once in a while, an Eagle Scout project comes along to help improve the garden. Most recently, a group of scouts helped clear an overgrown area in the woods that will in time be the site of our Sundial Garden. In preparation, our five gardeners cut down a slew of invasive Norway maples over the course of the preceding week. When the boys arrived, they pitched in to remove piles of wood and debris. Construction of the Sundial Garden is planned for 2024, and a new path will be created this summer to connect it with the developing meadow.
During its heyday, the garden had magnificent ornaments and sculptures collected by Samuel Untermyer. One was an ancient Roman imperial sarcophagus relief from the famed Giustiniani collection, which was mounted on the loggia wall to the left of the amphitheater in the Walled Garden. It was stolen sometime in the 1970s or ’80s and was a huge loss. Perhaps it will surface again once enough people see these images.
The photo below was taken of Christopher Radko and his mother in the 1960’s.
Next week, on Monday, February 6, I will deliver our annual Winter Lecture virtually. This will be a deep dive into our archives and feature many historic photos of the young garden under the ownership of Samuel and Minnie Untermyer, when it was called the most spectacular garden in America. Photos of the ruined garden in the 1970s and ’80s will provide a startling contrast with photos of today’s garden after twelve years under the Conservancy’s stewardship. Ticket holders may view the lecture at their leisure for a month after February 6. The companion book, Forgotten No More, is available for purchase and includes a selection of the lecture images.
We are making steady progress on the restoration of the Persian Pool, which is targeted for completion by the fall. New mosaics to match the original design are being fabricated in Spilimbergo, Italy. Here are some pictures of the large mosaic sheets that will fit seamlessly on the pool floor. The drawing shows how they will be assembled and denotes with an “x” the panels that have been completed – or FATTI!
Timothy has a few words to say about winter tree pruning.
Kind regards,
Stephen F. Byrns
President, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
Stephen F. Byrns
President, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
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