Believe it or not, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens started as an ash dump in the late 1800s. And to look at it now, it’s really quite inspiring how BBG, as it is fondly called, has grown into something more spectacular. Join my husband and me as we spend an afternoon at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.
But before we start exploring all it has to offer, let’s start with a bit of…
History
When Brooklyn Botanic Garden was founded more than a century ago, New York City area was quickly being developed into a cityscape of buildings and paved roads. To ensure that some green space remained, this public garden was created. And today, BBG has come to represent the very best in urban gardening and horticultural display.
BBG was constructed between 1914 and 1915 at a cost of $13,000 and was created by Japanese landscape designer Takeo Shiota. It was a gift from early BBG benefactor and trustee Alfred Tredway White. It first opened to the public in June 1915.
If you’re interested in more information on this garden’s history, click here.
GARDENS
Visitors from near and far come here to stroll and enjoy all of its magnificent gardens and there are 15 in total, each designed with a specific purpose.
Let’s take a look at my favorite gardens starting with…
Japanese Hill and Pond Garden
This is one of the oldest and most visited Japanese-inspired gardens outside Japan.
It is a blend of the ancient hill-and-pond style and the more recent stroll-garden style, in which various landscape features are gradually revealed along winding paths.
The garden features artificial hills contoured around a pond, a waterfall, and an island, along with carefully placed rocks. Architectural elements include wooden bridges, stone lanterns, a viewing pavilion, a Shinto shrine, and a dramatic vermilion-colored wooden torii.
And here’s some interesting trivia.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden has more than 200 cherry trees making it one of the foremost cherry blossom-viewing sites outside Japan. The first cherry trees were a gift from the Japanese government and were planted in the garden after World War I.
The next stop is…
Lily Pool Terrace and Borders
This beautiful section of BBG features two large rectangular pools bordered by the Perennial Border and Annual Border.
The pools are planted with nearly 100 varieties of tropical water lilies and lotuses. Just lovely!
Our next stop is…
Shakespeare Garden...
More than 80 kinds of plants mentioned in the works of William Shakespeare grow in this English cottage–style garden. Many are labeled with the common or Shakespearean name, the botanical name, a relevant quotation from a poem or play by the writer, as well as an illustration of the plant.
Cherry Esplanada
is a broad green lawn bordered by flowering cherry and red oak trees. This is a great place to take a break on a bench and take in some of nature.
Discovery Garden
is for their youngest visitors but adults can enjoy this too. One can explore nature through hands-on experiences and investigate plants and animals in different habitat spaces. Boardwalks and platforms allow kids to get up close to trees and flora.
Fragrance Garden
is all about stimulating the senses of smell and touch. Created in 1955, it was the first garden in the country designed to accommodate people with visual impairments.
Herb Garden
contains a small orchard and beds devoted to food and utilitarian plants from all over the world.
CONSERVATORIES
There are also six conservatories to explore.
Our favorites include the Desert Pavilion and Bonsai Collection
CELEBRITY PATH
Hollywood is not the only place that you can enjoy a walk along a path dedicated to the famous.
BBG’s Celebrity Path consists of stepping-stones inscribed with names of famous Brooklynites past and present. Over 100 artists, poets, performers, and athletes who were born or have lived in Brooklyn are honored.
The walkway was donated by the Brooklyn Union Gas Company in 1985. Its pavers were designed by the Brooklyn artist April Kinser.
So if you plan on visiting the great borough of Brooklyn and would like to enjoy some time taking in the beauty of nature, a visit to BBG is highly recommended.