Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
While our central mission is to restore Untermyer Gardens, we appreciate the needs of our neighbors, and our community greening outreach has built to a crescendo over the past two weeks. Two weeks ago, we held a dedication for two handsome oaks at the historic Philipse Manor Hall in downtown Yonkers. We planted the trees in honor of Senator Nicholas Spano and Nancy Little, who were instrumental in saving the Manor, another Yonkers gem, from being closed by New York State in 1991.
While our central mission is to restore Untermyer Gardens, we appreciate the needs of our neighbors, and our community greening outreach has built to a crescendo over the past two weeks. Two weeks ago, we held a dedication for two handsome oaks at the historic Philipse Manor Hall in downtown Yonkers. We planted the trees in honor of Senator Nicholas Spano and Nancy Little, who were instrumental in saving the Manor, another Yonkers gem, from being closed by New York State in 1991.
Last week marked the first installment of our Warblers on Warburton tree-planting program, with six beautiful trees placed in an area that sorely needs them. Already lovely, these trees—linden, tupelo, sycamore, and oak—will grow to a majestic size and be enjoyed by future generations. In the process, we stumbled across a few massive Victorian coal chutes but managed to work around them without anyone falling in. Over the years we hope to restore this important urban landscape to the beautiful verdant avenue of a century ago.
Eid Al-Fitr, the celebration of the end of Ramadan, is becoming one of the most vibrant days of the year at the garden. On May 13, many Muslim families flocked to the Walled Garden, magnificently arrayed in festive, traditional garments from the four corners of the world. What better place to celebrate such a jubilant day than in one of the world’s most beautiful paradise gardens!
At this time of year, a lot of pressure is on our gardeners, who never fail to rise to the challenge. Lining the canals with annuals is a Herculean labor, and this year 2,292 plants were put in the ground in just one day. Perhaps we should submit this to the Guinness Book of World Records! The annuals include elephant ears, exotic red “dots” of flowers, and unusual grasses, all of which will grow vigorously throughout the season.
Another rite of spring is what I call the Parade of the Tropicals as truckload after truckload of tropical plants arrive, returning like snowbirds from their winter stay in the municipal greenhouses. Our intrepid gardeners then carry the lush plants into the Walled Garden and disperse them throughout to dramatic effect.
When things settle down, Timothy Tilghman will return to this forum with new videos about the garden. There is a lot he wants to talk about, but nothing could pry him from the soil just now as he and his team have more miracles to work. The garden has never looked better, and I welcome you to come see it for yourself.
Kind regards,
Stephen F. Byrns
President, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
Kind regards,
Stephen F. Byrns
President, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
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