Brooklyn Botanic Gardens are a tranquil haven only 30mins by subway from the frenetic atmosphere of Manhattan.
Whatever time of year you visit there is always something to enjoy from the crocuses in February to the Cherry Blossom in April, the wonderful displays of summer flowers and then the autumn colours
The gardens were founded in 1910 and cover 21 hectares. Within in the gardens there are various specialty gardens.
The gardens have a wonderful collection of 200 cherry trees, these line the pathways of the Cherry Walk and Esplanade. In Spring when the trees are in bloom , it is quite magical to walk through arches, pink with blossom.
The Japanese Hill and Pond were constructed in 1915. It was designed by a Takeo Shiota who had recently emigrated to the United States from Japan. The garden is a mix of classic Japanese design with water features and bridges and modern garden design with lots of paths leading to hidden features.
The Canford Rose Garden is formal in design and contains over 5,000 rose bushes. This garden is best enjoyed in June.
The Shakespeare Garden combines English Cottage Garden plants mentioned by Shakespeare in his plays with quotes from those plays.
The Alice Recknagel Ireys Fragrance Garden is for everyone to enjoy but has been designed with the visually impaired in mind. There is braille signage and visitors are encouraged to touch and smell all the plants.
Other areas include: the Plant Family Collection, The Discovery Garden the Steinhardt Conservatory and the Native Flora Garden.
©GardensOnline - review by Bob Saunders
Author: Bob Saunders.
Restaurant The Terrace Café is open Tuesday to Sunday. During Spring and Summer the café it situated outside. In colder months it is situated in the Steinhardt Conservatory. Through out the year the café prides itself in serving delicious food made fresh daily and where possible using locally produced ingredients.
Shop The Garden Shop is located at the Washington Avenue Entrance next to the Visitors Centre. Besides an interesting collection of gifts and books; it also has a large selection of plants and seeds.
Disabled Access There is disabled parking in car park by the Washington Avenue Entrance. The garden provides complementary wheelchairs for garden on a first come first served basis.
The Visitors Centre, Conservatory, Café and Garden Shop all have wheelchair access. Toilets located in the Conservatory.
Most of the gardens can be reached by wheelchair, although some of the paths may be slightly narrow and uneven. Elevated beds are used in the Fragrance Garden making the plants the right height for people in wheelchairs to enjoy.
There are three entrances to the gardens - 150 Eastern Parkway, 990 Washington Ave, 455 Flatbush Ave. The gardens are about 30mins from Lower Manhattan by subway or bus. If you are driving there is paid parking at 900 Washington Avenue.