Editor’s Note: For more on flowers and gardens, check out “Green Thumb Families,” an article about a new family membership at the Horticultural Society of New York.
Spring has sprung, bringing the first glimpse of colorful blooms after a long, grey winter. Grab the kids and head outdoors to one of the many idyllic places to see beautiful springtime sproutings right in the five boroughs—and don’t forget your camera, because you’ll have the perfect backdrop for family photos!
MANHATTAN:
CENTRAL PARK
59th Street to 110th Street, between 5th Avenue and Central Park West
centralparknyc.org
Where to spot flowers:
Conservatory Garden (5th Avenue at 105th Street); the Shakespeare Garden (west side of the park, between 79th and 80th Streets); Turtle Pond (mid-park between 79th and 80th Streets); and the 100th Street Pool (west side of the park at 100th Street).
Must-see May flowers:
Bleeding hearts (at Turtle Pond), blackhaw viburnum (at the 100th Street Pool), and crab-apple (at the Conservatory Garden).
Family fun:
Experience spring in the park and spot feathered friends (Birding for Families, Sundays 10-11am), or learn about the seven bodies of water and aquatic ecosystems that comprise almost 20 percent of the park (Ponds, Pipes, and People: Water in Central Park, daily 10am to 5pm).
Hidden treasure:
Typically closed to the public, the Hallett Nature Sanctuary is open for visitors every Tuesday in May. The rustic woodlands habitat has varied flower species, including columbine, merry bells, and swamp azalea. Flower lovers can even tour the park flower-by-flower by becoming a Central Park Conservancy member and accessing the official Central Park Conservancy bloom guide, mapping locations for the best blooms in the park.
FORT TYRON PARK
689 Fort Washington Avenue
forttryonparktrust.org
Where to spot flowers:
The Heather Garden (at the south end of the park) and the Alpine Garden (mid-park on the eastern side near the Broadway entrance) are nestled amidst wooded slopes and open lawns.
Must-see May flowers:
White and vibrant pink peonies bloom in May.
Family fun:
Activities abound: there are natural history, science, dance, and yoga programs for kids, as well as volunteer days, choir and symphony concerts. And there’s even a Firefly Pajama Party in late July!
Hidden treasure:
The Billings Lawn (near the southern park entrance) is one of the best picnic spots in Manhattan. Pack up a basket and enjoy the shade of 75-year-old oak trees and sweeping views of the Hudson and Palisades
THE HIGH LINE
Gansevoort Street to West 30th Street
thehighline.org
Where to spot flowers:
The High Line was built on an historic rail line elevated above the streets of Manhattan’s West Side. The entire length of the High Line has landscaped seasonal plantings.
Must-see May flowers:
Allium (a family of blooming ornamental onions) and shooting star (dodecatheon meadia). All blooming plants are listed on the free monthly online High Line Bloom List which can be downloaded at thehighline.org/design/planting.
Family fun:
Summer family activities include stargazing (Tuesdays at dusk), lawn-time for little ones (Thursday mornings in July and August), and Arty Hours (Saturdays in July and August), which are drop-in hands-on kids art workshops at the 23rd Street lawn.
Hidden treasure:
The water feature on the Diller-von Furstenberg Sundeck on the High Line between West 14th and West 15th Streets is a great place to dip your toes to cool off during the hot summer months, and the 23rd Street Lawn (between West 22nd and West 23rd Streets) is the perfect place for a family picnic. Both open in late May.
BROOKLYN:
BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN
150 Eastern Parkway
bbg.org
Where to spot flowers:
The 52-acre gardens are in the heart of Brooklyn. Bluebell Wood (centrally located near the Plant Family Collection),
Osborne Garden, Native Flora Garden, and Cranford Rose Garden (all on the garden’s north end) have the best May blooms.
Must-see May flowers:
Bluebells (in Bluebell Wood), pink azaleas (in Osborne Garden), lilacs (surrounding the Cranford Rose Garden), wisteria (throughout the gardens), peonies (along Cherry Walk on the Cherry Esplanade at the south end of the Cranford Rose Garden), wildflowers (in the Native Flora Garden and the Children’s Garden), roses (in the Cranford Rose Garden).
Family fun:
The Children’s Garden is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Expect family nature adventure walks (Saturdays in May), kids discovery stations (daily), and midsummer magical plant walks (Wednesdays in July and August). The family “Sproutfest” will be held on June 7 (12-4pm) at the Cherry Esplanade. With live music and games, Sproutfest is the 100th year celebration for BBG’s Children’s Garden, and is free with garden admission.
Hidden treasure:
See the historic Children’s Garden on a special “insider” behind-the-scenes tour (at Sproutfest on June 7, and various times May-October).
NARROWS BOTANICAL GARDENS
Shore Road between Bay Ridge Avenue and 72nd Street
narrowsbg.org
Where to spot flowers:
This quiet and serene 5-acre park has a central lawn, surrounding walkway, and two rose gardens. The hillsides have evergreens, weeping trees, grasses, hostas, and seasonal daffodils. The native plant garden has migrating birds, turtles, and frogs.
Must-see May flowers:
Virginia bluebells
Family fun:
Outdoor family night movies on July 11 (rain-date July 12) showing “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” and August 8 (rain-date August 9) showing “The Croods”. Come early to enjoy fun activities and watch the sunset before the movie. Bring a blanket or chair, and call (718) 748-4810 on scheduled date to confirm.
Hidden treasures:
The lovely, colorful Daffodil Hillside is located inside the park between entrance nearest 69th-70th Street, on the street side. The unique Cactus Garden is located near the entrance at 69th Street, on the water side. Outdoor cactus in Brooklyn!
PROSPECT PARK
Bordered by Prospect Park West, Prospect Park Southwest, Ocean Avenue, and Washington Avenue
prosepectpark.org
Where to spot flowers:
Almost 600-acres, this urban oasis in the heart of Brooklyn includes the Long Meadow (running along the western side of the park), the Lake (south end of the park), and a “forest” (in the midwood section near the ravine).
Must-see May flowers:
Weeping cherry flower (in the Vale of Cashmere section of the park along Flatbush Avenue near Grand Army Plaza) blooms late April through May.
Family fun:
Using fun games and activities, learn what makes birds so special at Introduction to Bird Watching (May 26); explore Brooklyn farm life, planting annual potato crop and fun potato sack races at the Potato Planting event (May 26); volunteer on It’s My Park clean up day (May 31); join the Picnic for the Park (June 21); and enjoy the NY Philharmonic concert under the stars with fireworks (July 9).
Hidden treasure:
A very special self-guided “Walk In The Park” should include the must-see Lookout Hill, Marymount Monument, and Wellhouse—just as the springtime trees are beginning to bloom.
BRONX:
NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN
2900 Southern Blvd
nybg.org
Where to spot flowers:
With waves of flowers across its 250 historic acres, NYBG is one of the nation’s premier urban gardens. Near the Thain Family Forest (NYC’s largest remaining tract of native forest), is the newly opened Native Plant Garden, with thousands of seasonal wildflowers, ferns and grasses—and a dramatic water feature centerpiece.
Must-see May flowers:
The Azalea Garden hillside (mid-park on the eastern side) has 3,000 azaleas and rhododendrons—blooming in pink, white, coral, and magenta.
Family fun:
Kids can get their hands dirty preparing the garden, planting flower and vegetable seeds, composting, and digging for worms in the fresh soil in the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden located on the northern end. And young visitors can explore nature, go on a scavenger hunt, and learn about pollinators at the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden on the southern end.
Hidden treasure:
The “All-Garden Pass” grants visitors access to the Rock Garden on the western side, with thousands of colorful flowering plants (primroses, hellebores, peonies, daphnes) and a peaceful stream, pond, and water cascade.
WAVE HILL
West 249th Street and Independence Avenue
wavehill.org
Where to spot flowers:
This 28-acre public garden and cultural center in the Bronx overlooks the Hudson River and Palisades. There’s good flower viewing in the WildGarden and the Shade Border,, a very tranquil area in the northeast section of the grounds and just a five minute walk from the front gate.
Must-see May flowers:
Virginia bluebell (mertensia virginica) is a cheerful and bright May bloomer.
Family fun:
Family art projects include making sachets and paper flowers (May 10 and 11), puppet squirrels (May 17 and 18), wash-away clay patio (May 24 and 25), and painted moving forests (May 31). Spring birding is scheduled for May 11, as is a Mother’s Day brunch (reservations required). Mark Twain’s Squirrels nature walk & talk will take place May 18.
Hidden treasure:
Find the Gazebo in the middle of the Herbert & Hyonja Abrons Woodland. A ½ mile-long trail that ambles along wooded slopes, ending near the Conifer Slope, will lead to the Gazebo—a nice shady spot to rest your legs after an adventurous stroll.
QUEENS:
QUEENS BOTANICAL GARDEN
43-50 Main Street
queensbotanical.org
Where to spot flowers:
With hundreds of plant and flower species, the 39-acre gardens evolved from the “gardens on parade” exhibit showcased at the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
Must-see May flowers:
Columbine (in the Woodland and throughout the gardens), bleeding hearts (in the Woodland), lily of the valley (in the Fragrance Walk on the southeastern edge), lilacs (in the Fragrance Walk), and flowering eastern redbud trees (throughout the gardens).
Family fun:
Mother’s Day fun and a plant sale are scheduled for May 11, while the World’s Fair Train Show takes place May 24-26. Later on, children’s peat pot planting is set for June 15 and July 13, while summer solstice/Festival de las Flores is scheduled for June 22.
Hidden treasure:
Peek in the Bee Garden next to the Wedding Garden on the eastern side (the bees are very active in spring and summer!), and the Crab Apple orchard in the middle of the gardens which is in full blossom in May. And you might even see or hear a migrating Warbler bird in the Woodland in the southeastern section near the corner of Main Street and Peck Avenue.
STATEN ISLAND:
SNUG HARBOR BOTANICAL GARDEN
1000 Richmond Terrace
snug-harbor.org
Where to spot flowers:
The Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical garden features a traditional Chinese scholar’s garden and a Tuscan garden based on an 18th-century Italian villa.
Must-see May flowers:
The Chinese tree peony blooms in early-May, and the bearded iris blooms in late May.
Family fun:
All ages can visit “Fluid,” an exhibition that explores the theme of water through different disciplines, displayed in the galleries (May 3 to December 14 in Building C, Main Hall) and interactive public art sculptures (May 3 to September 7).
Hidden treasure:
Designed like an 18th century Qing Dynasty garden, the Chinese Scholar’s Garden, on Snug Harbor’s western side, illustrates life in ancient China, with unique rockery resembling the mountains that inspired the poetry and paintings of Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist monks and scholars. There are pavilions, a bamboo forest path, waterfalls, and a koi pond.
