this is for my English writer friends
heading over the pond
heading over the pond
to New York City for BlogtourNYC during the
Architectural Digest Home Show
Take A stroll in Central Park
and over to
four acres of wonder
I know Veronika Miller from Modenus.com will have lots on the agenda for you to soak up and take home with you, and incorporate into your design projects and writings. There will be a bit of downtime, so I'm bringing you a few ideas of my favorite NYC stops. Last week I showed you a glimpse of the refurbished New American wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on 84th Street and Fifth Avenue. This wing is pretty spectacular, and will give you a historical link to all you see in Brooklyn, the design centers and the Architectural Digest Home Show. After all this inspiration, you may need to take a small respite, so today I recommend taking a walk in the park and over to Shakespeare Garden. This beautiful oasis may be one of NYC's most romantic destinations, a quiet spot in a booming city, and yes it's right smack behind the MET museum.
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my daughter Gabby took these shots last spring: red and purple combined |
What is the history and story behind this garden?
Shakespeare Garden was first created in the 1880’s to create a garden next to the nature study center and the Swedish Cottage. It was not until 1913 the garden was dedicated to the works of this famous English poet and playwright. After years of neglect, Shakespeare Garden (and most of Central Park), fell into disrepair. In 1987, the Central Park Conservancy restored and built upon the garden, repaving pathways and installing rustic wooden benches and bronze plaques with quotations from the Bard’s masterpieces.
Shakespeare Garden is Central Park’s only rock garden. It was created in 1916 and on the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. This beautiful gem is truly one of NYC's gems, and often missed by tourists because of how it is nestled in the park. It's been dubbed the "Garden of the Heart" and created after Victorian era rock gardens. It is important to note that only plants referenced in Shakespeare's plays were originally planted in this garden and unusual beauties such as columbine, primrose, wormwood, quince, lark’s heel, rue, eglantine, flax and cowslip. Many of these species are ancient flowers and the garden blooms at various points of the seasons, but it is spring and early summer when the garden comes alive and fragrant - I hoping with our current warm spell there will be the first blooms on the vines for your visit next week. There are rustic benches positioned throughout the serendipitous path and plaques with references to Shakespeare quotes sprinkled throughout.
I hate to tease, but if you were here in early May this is what Shakespeare Garden would look like, but in the end of March you may just catch the first signs of spring in this majestic garden. It's hard to believe that smack in the middle of the hustle and bustle of New York City there are rare flowers blooming...check out these shots my daughter Gabby took
throughout Central park last spring...
how to get to Shakespeare Garden:
Directly across from the Swedish Cottage is the entrance to Shakespeare Garden on the left.
the garden path will wind and take you up the hill until you reach Belvedere Castle you had walked past a few moments ago. Belevedere Castle is the highest points in Central Park.
You will look down upon the city in wonder.
this is the entrance to Shakespeare Garden
you will be amazed at the natural log benches,
engraved plaques
and many busy volunteers moving about
weeding, pruning and keeping this garden in its glory
Here's a quick look at the park and where you'll be.
more of Gabby's views of Central Park
blooming in spring
from 2009-2011
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