New York Botanical Garden | Bronx

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is one of the most significant botanical institutions in the world and a cultural landmark located in the Bronx, New York City. Founded in 1891, it spans 250 acres and serves as a public garden, a major center for botanical research, and an educational institution.

Historical Background

Established through legislation and inspired by European botanical gardens, the NYBG was created in part due to the efforts of botanist Nathaniel Lord Britton and his wife Elizabeth, who envisioned an American botanical garden to rival those in Europe.

The land was originally part of the old Belmont Estate and is adjacent to Bronx Park.

It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1967.

Grounds and Layout

NYBG's landscape includes gardens, collections, forests, waterways, wetlands, and rock formations. It is designed in part by Calvert Vaux, one of the co-designers of Central Park.

Key areas include:

Enid A. Haupt Conservatory

A majestic Victorian-style glasshouse built in 1902 and restored multiple times.

It replicates various ecosystems: tropical rainforests, deserts, and aquatic environments.

Hosts two of the Garden's most famous annual exhibitions:

The Orchid Show (late winter/spring)

The Holiday Train Show (late fall/winter), featuring model trains running through a miniature NYC made of plant materials.

Thain Family Forest

A 50-acre native forest, the largest remaining patch of old-growth woodland in NYC.

Features native species such as red oak, tulip trees, American beech, and hickories.

Walking trails and raised boardwalks provide access while protecting sensitive ecosystems.

Specialty Gardens

Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden: One of the most acclaimed rose gardens in the U.S., with over 650 varieties.

Rock Garden: Filled with alpine and dry-loving plants in a naturalistic setting of stone and moss.

Herb Garden: Includes medicinal, culinary, and ornamental herbs, arranged in historical and cultural themes.

Perennial Garden: Seasonal blooms with an emphasis on plant design and color combinations.

Native Plant Garden: Focuses on species indigenous to the northeastern United States, offering an immersive natural environment with wetlands, woodlands, and meadows.

LuEsther T. Mertz Library

One of the largest and most important botanical libraries in the world.

Contains over 550,000 volumes, including rare books, manuscripts, journals, and botanical illustrations.

Supports NYBG’s scientific work and is open to the public and scholars.

William and Lynda Steere Herbarium

The second-largest herbarium in the world, with over 7.8 million specimens.

Used for taxonomy, systematics, conservation biology, and biodiversity studies.

A key resource for understanding plant evolution, distribution, and climate change impacts.

Pfizer Plant Research Laboratory

A modern molecular biology facility focused on plant genomics, molecular systematics, and conservation genetics.

Researchers at NYBG study plants from all over the world, often working with international field sites in places like South America, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean.

Education & Public Programs

NYBG offers a wide array of educational opportunities:

Children’s Education Programs: Hands-on learning in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, which includes gardens, interactive exhibits, and workshops.

Adult Education: Certificate programs in horticulture, botanical illustration, floral design, and landscape design.

School Partnerships: Field trips, teacher training, and curricula aligned with STEM standards.

Public Events: Seasonal festivals, art exhibitions, lectures, concerts, and gardening workshops.

Visiting the Garden

Location: 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10458

Hours: Typically open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; open on federal holidays.

Dining:

Hudson Garden Grill: A sit-down restaurant focusing on farm-to-table meals.

Pine Tree Café: Offers sandwiches, salads, coffee, and snacks in a casual setting.

Accessibility: Most of the garden is wheelchair accessible; shuttle service and accessible restrooms are available.

Getting There

Subway: Take the B, D, or 4 train to Bedford Park Blvd Station. Then walk or take a bus to the Mosholu Entrance.

Metro-North Railroad: A direct stop at Botanical Garden Station on the Harlem Line, just 20 minutes from Grand Central Terminal.

By Car: Paid parking is available on-site.

Botanical Significance

NYBG is more than a public garden—it is a hub for botanical science. Its staff works globally to identify and conserve plant species, particularly in biodiversity hotspots. The garden contributes to ecological preservation, climate change research, and public education, and remains a leader in advancing botanical knowledge worldwide.

This institution combines beauty, science, and education in a living museum that reflects the diversity and importance of plant life on Earth.