Trudy
This month I went to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The Garden is 52 acres large, and I had no idea! No wonder my feet were sore the next day. This post will be picture heavy because there was so much to see. After the Hanami Matsuri festival, I really wanted to see the cherry blossoms but wasn’t willing to deal with the crowds or the cost of going on a festival day. Maybe I will feel more social next year. Anyway, there happened to be a huge number of people who had the same idea that I did because they were dressed in kimono, silk dresses, and parasols with groups of family members on the Garden’s free admission day. I dragged my nephew who was visiting to go with me and he didn’t know what to expect but when he got here he was just as happy as I was to be there.
All the trees and flowers weren’t in full bloom because we’ve had a particularly long and harsh winter this year. So I will have to visit again to experience the glory of raining pink petals and a picnic in the grass. The first thing I noticed when I entered beside the wooden fence was the hanging branches of white flowering trees. I became more and more excited the closer I got to the entrance.
The first garden we entered was the Japanese Hill and Pond garden, which is exactly what it was. It is the most popular area of the garden because of the pagoda on the pond, the huge koi, turtles, and the gate in the middle of the pond.
I took pictures from as many angles as possible to show you how beautiful it was to be there. As we walked on we got to the Cherry Tree Esplanade, it was so packed and I regretted instantaneously not bringing a packed lunch. Everyone had picked out a personal cherry tree and camped out, I was so jealous.
There were rows and rows of dark pink Kanzan, the most opulent flowering cherry tree, just budding in deep beautiful rose color. It looked like a painting, so surreal, the pictures aren’t capturing how beautiful it truly was.
I reluctantly kept going and we got to the Cranford Rose Garden, but it was still too early for roses.
We were really hungry from all the walking and the smell of fruit trees and herbs all around us, I suggested we go to the greenhouses to eat . So on our way there we passed the fruit trees and the herbs garden just breaking through the ground.
Let me preface this by saying it is beyond hot and humid in these greenhouses and because of that everything is always in bloom.
The next section of the greenhouse was the about the art of the Bonsai tree, these trees have to be at least fifty years old because they were huge for Bonsai standards.
The next room we moved on to was the desert room, dry, hot, and filled with cacti and succulents.
The haze you see over the pictures is from the humidity in the rainforest room.
The aquatic house and orchid collection were next, another super humid and hot room, at this point just praying my 24-hour deodorant would hold up because I was glistening!
The fragrance in this section was like a thick perfume, everything planted here is very fragrant including the herbs. We are getting really tired by this point and it was our last new spot before doubling back in the Japanese Garden again and that was because I wanted a couple more pictures and I was hoping that some of the crowds had cleared out by this time.
On the way out of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, there is a nursery where you can bring a piece of the garden home with you. And the people on staff will direct you everything that a new home gardener could need, like artificial grow lights and fertilizer. Then you can decide how extensive you want to make your little green world.
I had an awesome day with great company. I was so happy that we could leisurely enjoy almost everything the garden had to offer. I will be back for a picnic next time or to see the leaves change colors or maybe both. Have any of you been to a botanic garden in your neck of the woods? Did you enjoy it? Have any pics?
Very nice photos and descriptions. I really liked the tropical greenhouse and the cherry blossoms. I always think of New York as pavement and skyscrapers, but now I know otherwise! We have a Japanese garden, a Chinese garden and the famous Portland Rosegarden. All beautiful in their own ways.
Thank you! No we are blessed with lots of parks and gardens. And upstate with mountains and hills there’s the whole gamut and that wasn’t the biggest Botanical Garden, the one in the Bronx is bigger. But that was further away from me. The Garden’s are popular for weddings in NYC. Can you imagine?
In my mind, I’ve always thought of NYC and upstate New York as two separate places, even though I know they go together. Some day I will make it out that way and have a look around. I love finding out things like the parks from real people who live there. Thanks.
You’re welcome. I love living here and I love there’s so much for me to do and never get bored.
If I ever get to NYC this place looks like a must!
Depending on where you stay you can go to the bigger one in the Bronx or the other one in Queens they’re all lovely.
Thanks so much for stopping by, I’m trying to get better with my photography. Do you visit gardens?
I grew up in the Bronx but have relatives in Brooklyn. My cousin went to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens last year for the cherry blossom bloom. I haven’t been there in about 40 years. Five years ago, I went to Macon, Georgia for their cherry blossom festival. No matter where it takes place, cherry blossom time is wonderful after a long, hard winter. Enjoyed your pictures!
Thank you! Yes it’s something that I look forward to every year as well. I totally get why the Japanese make watching them into a holiday. Unfortunately I can’t go back to see them since the petals gave fallen but maybe I’ll catch the roses.
wonderful pics. I really liked the magnolias.
Thank you. I didn’t want you to think that I forgot to put extra photography in there. Lol
that was a wonderful walk thru the garden with you
I try! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
thanks for posting them!
Thanks for following along with me! I appreciate it!
lots to look at.
Trying to get better with each post as I progress.
you do great!
Work in progress,always.
Beautiful pictures and story, Trudy. I miss Brooklyn but now feel I have just visited. Great post!
Thanks! When did you visit? I’m biased but I think that you need a week in each borough, lol.
Beautiful. I grew up in New York, and although my family never went there I did a few times as an adult, when I was visiting, and I have fond memories of the place as a bit of peace in the middle of the city.
I really feel at home in green spaces and in city settings so it’s the best of both worlds. I’m glad you got to experience it! Do you have a garden near where you live now?
Thank you so much for stopping by and I’m glad I’ve inspired you to try something new! There are so many outdoor spaces that we never take advantage of.
Love botanical gardens! And your photos, thanks! My favourite the magnolias and bonsais. That’s an original visit to do in NY, right?
You’re welcome! There are a few botanical gardens here. The most popular and biggest is the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the Queens Botanical Garden. I haven’t been to the other two yet. But it is a great thing to do here especially since the Brooklyn Museum is right next door, perfect way to spend a full day with comfortable shoes!
Sounds like something I would love!
I know you would, it’s like a fairytale to be there and many weddings are held there!
Aren’t Botanic Gardens just the most amazing places. I love to visit the Botanic gardens in my home town. No matter the season there is always something wonderful to see.
Yes they are! I just have to make it to all of the ones that are around me, that’s a lot traveling.
you just got me thinking. I have been to lots of parks around Tokyo and Japanese gardens but not an actual Botanical garden. Have just found one to go and check out some time so expect a post at some time!
I’m sure a botanical garden in Japan must be amazing! Can’ t wait to see!
It is on the to do list.
Take Trudy to a Japanese Botanical garden!
Yay! Arigato domo arigato!
Itsu demo (Any TIme!)
Wow! Looks lovely. Definitely something to check out the next time I’m in NYC.
It was beautiful! It’s a great escape from the hustle and bustle.
Gorgeous!!
I love hanami so much!
So do I! Such a beautiful time of year here and I love the pink petal “snow”, it’s otherworldly.