Flowers Recite the Poetry of
Gardens
April 29 was “Poem in Your Pocket Day,” when people all over the
country were urged to carry a favorite verse to share with friends or just hold
near and dear. April 29 was also the preview of the New York Botanical Garden’s
current exhibition, Emily Dickinson’s Garden: The Poetry of Flowers. During her lifetime, Emily
Dickinson (1830–1886) was better known as a gardener than as a poet. Plants and
flowers significantly influenced her poetry and other writings, most of which
were not published until after her death.
The exhibit, which runs through June 13, includes a flower show in
the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and a presentation at the library of items
owned by Dickinson including specimens she pressed herself. Dickinson’s poems
have been mounted on boards where they are particularly relevant, for example,
near specific plants in the perennial garden.
Listening to this week’s show, you will hear from speakers at the
preview event including Gregory Long, the President and CEO of the New York
Botanical Garden, celebrated actor Sigourney Weaver, and his honor Michael R.
Bloomberg, Mayor of New York. Click here to learn more about the show and find
out about visiting.
In the second half of Ken Druse – REAL DIRT, Connecticut garden
designer Amy Ziffer shares some tips on getting perennial gardens to look their
best. Amy’s nickname is “the shady lady,” but her designs include much more
than plantings in limited sunlight. She tells us about foundation plantings,
perennial borders, vegetable gardens (“not the best for weekenders”), and
“personalized plantings” where clients often place a special outdoor ornament.
As for perennials doing their best? Visit one of Amy’s
gardens (right) — in the heart of little downtown
Sherman, CT, which is open to all and the place to see and learn about plants that
do well in USDA Zone 5. The secret to vigorous flowering herbaceous perennials:
It is in the soil! Find out more at amyziffer.com.
Click on the small black arrow at the left on the bar below to start
listening,
or click on the MP3 link to download the show into Windows
Media Player or iTunes:
Leave a Reply