Little Island is located within Hudson River Park, just off the western coast of Manhattan in New York City. Designed by Heatherwick Studio and opened to the public in May of 2021, the artificial island serves as a park for residents and visitors alike. The 2.4 acre oasis, built on the remnants of Pier 54, provides opportunities to play, relax, exercise or take in a performance with a beautiful backdrop.
During my first visit, I was inspired by how much was included in a relatively small area. Those interested in playing can scramble on boulders, play musical instruments or spin optical illusion discs.
Boulders offer seating and climbing opportunities.The beautifully painted piano welcomes the public to sit down and play.
Winding paths with inclines up to 60+ feet offer a chance to work out and a built-in amphitheater provides a great venue for a musical performance. As a plant person, I was impressed by the landscape which offers year-round interest. I learned this public park includes over 66,000 bulbs and 114 trees.
Winding paths meander through the space, making it appear much larger than it actually is.Plant lovers will appreciate the variety of perennials and trees.
Little Island’s unique exterior is supported by concrete piles. On top of the piles, 132 concrete “tulips” make up the structure of the park. The original Pier 54 piles remain in the water to provide a habitat for aquatic life.
Tulip shaped pilings support the garden and create a visual wave above the water’s surface.
Access to Little Island is free. The park opens at 6AM and closes at 12AM, so there is no excuse not to visit during your next trip to New York City!
Every time I visit a public garden, I’m impressed. The displays are usually spectacular, nearly weed free, and looking as fresh as they day they were planted. Did you ever wonder how this gardening miracle was achieved?
I never really thought about it until recent visits to the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Biltmore Estate where my group received ‘behind the scenes’ tours. At the Chicago Botanic Garden, we saw the quarter mile long area where plants are grown and cared for in as ideal conditions as possible. Plants that like morning sun are placed on the East side, while plants preferring strong sun are on the West. Some plants grow in houses that maintain humidity at a certain level while others live in arid conditions. A number of plants are grown outside once the weather is warm enough, while others remain indoors in tightly controlled environments.
Imagine the time and effort required to create and maintain a bed constructed of plant material.Gardeners at the Chicago Botanic Garden grow and care for unique specimens in climate-controlled houses like this one.When not on display, the Bonsai collection grows indoors where it can be meticulously maintainedA sophisticated watering system helps reduce the need for hand watering and saves timeStaff use a heated bench for seed germination and to grow plant material at a certain rate for displays
Special mum displays for fall are started months earlier and trained along forms. Seasonal back-up plants are ready and waiting to replace any like specimens that aren’t performing up to snuff. I would love to have the ability to swap out plants in my garden like that. Wouldn’t it be great to replace that crispy Astilbe that suffered through a drought with a perfectly fresh replacement? Of course, most homeowners don’t have the time or the budget to do the kind of work performed by hard-working public garden staff members. Knowing how much effort and money went into creating such special places, made me appreciate them even more.
Containers are growing, ready and waiting for future displays
I was also inspired by the plant trial gardens and breeding programs. Often public gardens have plant curators who seek out unusual plant material from around the world. They breed plants that can be used successfully in home gardens. Chicagoland Boxwood is an example of this; the Chicago Botanic Garden introduced this cultivar as a cold hardy boxwood that maintains its green color in the frigid Illinois winters.
Staff members grow plants outdoors once it’s warm enoughEchinacea plants grow happily in the trial garden
At the Biltmore Estate we learned how the staff is honoring this historic garden. When plants need to be replaced, such as a diseased Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) hedge, the staff references the original design created by Frederick Law Olmsted. Since Olmsted’s design recommended American Holly (Ilex opaca), that is the plant the staff will use as a new, native and disease resistant hedge. I think most public gardens do their best to honor the spaces we visit and make them welcoming to all.
The Tsuga hedge in this picture (top left) will be replaced in the fall in keeping with the original designAn accessibility display at the Chicago Botanic Garden featured wheelchair access and scented plants for physically or visually challenged visitorsA vertical display was kid-friendly and welcomed the touch of passersby
I respect and admire the work our public garden staffs do and hope you’ll think about the talented gardeners that keep them looking so good for our visits. And don’t hesitate to use some public garden strategies in your own landscape. Replace plants that aren’t performing well with fresh specimens that will grow better in the space. Consider how visitors see your garden and do your best to make it welcoming to all. Most of all, enjoy your garden and all those public (and private) spaces you visit.
Spring officially arrived on March 20 but I’ve been seeing signs of life in the garden for quite a while now, long before the calendar marked the arrival of a new season. Extending bloom time into the winter season is great fun, soul soothing, and easier than you might think.
In the Philadelphia area, Winterthur does an amazing job highlighting early spring bloomers and even has an area behind the mansion called the March Bank. H. F. du Pont started the March Bank in 1902 and it now features huge drifts of Galanthus (snowdrops), Leucojum (snowflakes), Crocus, Eranthus (Winter aconite), Chinodoxa (Glory-of-the-Snow), and Adonis among other bulbs.
I had the opportunity to visit Winterthur’s March Bank this year and was so impressed with the display I have already added some bulbs to my wish list for fall planting this year.
Galanthus are available in many different sizes and often have unique attributes that require close inspection. Who doesn’t love a plant that requires you to get on your hands and knees to admire and examine it? Eranthus emerge early and provide a little sunshine in flower form. These charmers are easy to grow and will seed around or can be moved to different parts of the garden.
A Galanthus (Snowdrop) surrounded by Eranthus (Winter Aconite).A Galanthus with unique green markings
A Galanthus with hints of yellow – a very desirable trait.
Leucojum really make a statement in the garden. Their blooms are larger than Galanthus and they create a white carpet when planted in mass. Even when planted individually, Leucojum will cause a garden visitor to stop and view the amazing flowers.
A field of Leucojum (Snowflake) on the March Bank at WinterthurLeucojum in the foreground and the Winterthur Mansion in the background.A Leucojum flower up close
Crocus plants are available in a variety of colors and will self-seed and pop up in different locations. While this might annoy some, to me this is part of their charm. Most Crocus plants are also resistant to destruction by deer, squirrels and other critters. Glory of the snow bulbs are one of the first blooming plants to appear in spring. Members of the Lily family, these cuties produce beautiful snow kissed blooms. Winterthur uses Crocus and Chinodoxa (Glory of the Snow) in combination with a beautiful result.
Crocus and Chinodoxa (Glory of the Snow) planted together in drifts at Winterthur
Named after the Greek God of vegetation, Adonis plants sport feathery foliage and lovely yellow flowers. These plants are superb additions to any woodland setting. While sometimes difficult to find, they are worth seeking out.
A gorgeous Adonis bloom surrounded by lovely, feathery green foliage
I hope you’ll consider adding some early bloomers to your garden this year. If you do, I’m confident you’ll enjoy years of pleasure when spring arrives early in your garden.
Most people don’t think of February as a month for garden tours, but I encourage you to change your mindset. Winter is a perfect time to experience gardens when you can see their bones, notice what creates interest and enjoy smaller crowds. Peace comes with touring gardens in the quiet of the off-season.
In the Philadelphia area we are lucky to live in America’s Garden Capital. With over 30 public gardens within 3o miles of the city, we have many gardens to choose from. A number of these gardens are open in the winter and waiting for your visit. I recently visited two area arboretums and was enthralled with their meandering paths, extensive plantings and winter wonder.
The Morris Arboretum was first on the list. Located in Chestnut Hill, the site includes tens of thousands of plants including many collected by plantsman John Morris and his sister Lydia who lived on the property when it was a private home. Some of Delaware Valley’s oldest specimen trees grow at the Morris. During our visit we took note of these features as well as the use of evergreens to frame views, spent seed heads, plants in flower and texture created by plant material.
Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) needles provide amazing texture in the winter gardenSpent roses cascade over a bed of lavender and rosemaryCorylus fargesii catkins offer interest in the winterMetasequoia buttresses contrast beautifully with the blooming Witch HazelSnowdrops (Galanthus) bloom happily in the winter gardenMahonia x Winter Sun flowers are beautiful golden rays in FebruaryEvergreens are especially noticeable when they perfectly frame a view like this waterfall
In addition to the outdoor spaces, a number of Philadelphia’s public gardens have greenhouses or conservatories that provide a break from the cold and access to flowering non-hardy plants. Who doesn’t love being immersed in a sea of lush foliage or fragrant blooms in the middle of winter?
Inside the fernery we were warm and enveloped in humidity
The second garden I had the opportunity to see this winter was the Tyler arboretum located in Media. Tyler spans over five hundred acres and includes seventeen miles of hiking trails and extensive plant collections. Tyler is one of the oldest arboretums in the region dating back to 1681. The property that makes up the arboretum today was purchased by Thomas Minshall from William Penn. Like the Morris, Tyler is home to some magnificent trees including those deemed ‘champions’ because they are the largest individual specimens of a particular species. We particularly enjoyed the Witch Hazel collection during our visit.
One of many blooming Witch Hazels at TylerA fragrant wintersweet bloom (Chimonanthus praecox var. Luteus) soothes the soulCroton alabamensis shows off some lingering fall color and awaiting spring flowersThe structure of Sweetgum ‘Corky’ (Liquidambar styraciflua) was mesmerizingBark might go unnoticed during the growing season, but not in the winter.
Clearly I was inspired by my tours to two Philadelphia’s area gardens this winter. I encourage you to seek out some you would like to see and make a plan to visit. I’m confident that in addition to many ideas for your own landscape, you will leave with a calm mind and warm heart.
I love visiting the High Line when I go to New York City. I’ve meandered through this amazing park in the winter and in the summer and am confident it is beautiful in every season. Once home to the New York Central Railroad, the elevated railway turned garden was set to be demolished. Fortunately, a motivated and visionary Chelsea resident took the lead and set up a foundation to transform one and a half miles of the abandoned railway into a recreational space. As the New York Times said, the ‘frog of the railroad was to become a prince of a park.” The High Line has been open for ten years and currently includes fifteen different planting zones and over 100,000 plants inspired by the wild landscape that once grew on the abandoned site.
Imagine my excitement when I learned my home city, Philadelphia, was opening its own rail park inspired by the High Line. The first quarter mile of the three mile park opened in June of 2018 and is situated on the obsolete railways of two rail lines that serviced the popular Reading Terminal Market in Center City.
The first phase of the Philadelphia Rail Park invites visitors to stroll through an industrial part of the cityOne of the unique features of the Rail Park is this metal wall highlighting Philadelphia based companiesWhen you need a rest you can relax on a swing and take in the sights and sounds of the city belowWhile dogs are welcome, they are encouraged not to water the plants.
Philadelphia Parks and Rec commissioner, Kathryn Ott Lovell commented that the park “will connect neighborhoods during a time when our country needs to be connected and that’s the great power of parks.” I couldn’t agree more. Gardens and landscaped public spaces have the amazing ability to transform our attitudes, lift our spirits and bring us together as a community. If you are able to visit either of these parks I encourage you to do so. I visited Philly’s Rail Park last month and left inspired and wanting more as I experienced my adopted home town from a unique perspective.
I make it a point to seek out gardens when I travel. Quite honestly I can’t help myself as I find inspiration in every garden I visit. During a recent trip to Zurich, Switzerland after a rigorous five day hiking trip in the countryside, I meandered through the small botanic garden located adjacent to the University of Zurich. Locals seemed to enjoy the small space as much as tourists and I can’t blame them since access to the garden is free to all.
Enjoying a view of the biospheres from a shady spot
Biospheres contained tropical and desert specimens, while a water garden featured lily pads reminiscent of what you would see at Philadelphia area gardens like Chanticleer and Longwood Gardens. A woodland setting provided shade perfect for reading or enjoying an afternoon snooze.
The lily pad gardenInside the tropical biosphere
Display areas highlighted plant material for residential landscapes. As in the United States and in other parts of the word, use of native plant material was recommended to attract pollinators and to support the environment.
A pollinator habitat
I noticed that those maintaining the garden were not quick to deadhead or remove spent blooms, instead leaving them for ornamentation. My impression was that the naturalistic plant movement was as alive in Zurich as it was across the globe.
Seed heads added interestA naturalistic border flanked the stairway
While it didn’t take long to visit the approximately five acre garden, I left relaxed and refreshed. I related to the space on many levels and particularly liked the statue of the woman holding her foot; I felt her pain after hiking ten miles a day in the Alps. I too needed a foot rub!
I felt her pain after my hiking trip!
When you have the opportunity to visit a public or private garden, take it. I promise you will be inspired by something whether that’s a structure, sculpture, design or plant.
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