Border Patrol July 17-22 2009
of The Seasonal Walk Saga
By Tovah Martin
More on Stage
The bulbs are shifting into supporting roles at this juncture. The NYBG added Lilium speciosum var. rubrum, which does a fine job of popping above the 3 foot tall mass of blossoms. The lilies jut up to 5 feet, counterbalancing the actaea that’s also holding its spires high. Similarly adding height are a hundred Galtonia candicans, scattered throughout and serving as white candelabras above the flowery ocean.
In the circles that once held the larger-trumpeted daffodils, Cosmos atrosanguineus was installed with Gladiolus callianthus murielae (okay, acidanthera to most of us). And the chocolate blossoms of that cosmos relate nicely to the deep red blooms of Dahlia ‘Arabian Night’ and D. ‘Le Baron’, both are just beginning to unfold blossoms. The other dahlia that’s turning heads right now is D. ‘Moonfire’ with its striking, sunflower-like blooms in pale yellow with a fiery peach eye. But most of the dahlias are just starting to rev up. And in the reliable department, Incarvillea delavayi continues to strut its charms, sending up wand after wand of cheerful pink blossoms.
The garden has so many incredible features right now, it’s impossible to chronicle them all. And in a uniquely high profile situation, in a treacherous year climatically, Oudolf and van der Kloet’s artistry has everyone saying the word, “genius” over and over again. Which is why the Seasonal Walk will be back next year by popular demand. Not only should this delight visitors to the botanical garden, but pollinators are also undoubtedly clapping their little wings.
