Horticulture

Goatsbeard (Aruncus 'Horatio') in bloom. Photo by Joan Garvin.

Every time we walk the High Line, we overhear a park visitor marveling about how established the plants look after having a year in the park. The grasses are thicker and lusher, the flowers are blooming with more gusto — even the trees have a hearty at-home-ness about them.

"Many of the species selected for the High Line are vigorous, but the ultimate charm of a well-conceived landscapes stems from the shape it takes once it matures," said Patrick Cullina, our Vice President of Horticulture & Park Operations. "It may be hard to believe, but most of those plants were installed only one short year ago. We will continue to monitor the emerging patterns, and make refinements that will further strengthen our dynamic landscape." When High Line Planting Designer Piet Oudolf last visited the park, he, too, had enthusiastic things to say about how well the plants have taken root.

As the warm weather keeps coming, the gardens will continue to thrive. June's bloom forecast promises many spectacular days to view the High Line's ever-changing landscape. This month's bloom list (available here on our Web site) is rich with variety and intrigue. Many of the plants, like the Allegheny serviceberry pictured below, showcased a different kind of attraction earlier this year, and have now developed into a fresh sight.

'Mount Everest' onion (Allium 'Mount Everest') in bloom in near the 10th Avenue Square. Photo by Joan Garvin.

May promises to be an excellent month to view blooms on the High Line. With all the mild, sunny weather, expect to see a variety of different blooms taking off every week.

The High Line's Northern Spur Horticultural Preserve in bloom. Thanks to Christy and John Mack Foundation.

Most New Yorkers don't expect their city to be a place for wildflowers. Our friends at NYC Wildflower Week aim to change that perception, and we're proud to have the High Line included in the events this year.

Daffodil blooms emerging on the High Line.

The first spring has arrived on the High Line. If you have visited the park recently, you may have noticed that the landscape looks completely different than it did two months ago. The sun and mild temperatures have charmed the spring blooms out of their buds, leaving our planting beds awash with vibrant colors and fresh growth.

The transformation of the High Line from winter to spring was no easy feat. Section 1 contains more than 40,000 grasses and perennials, most of which need to be cut back in order to make room for new spring growth.

The cutback process began in February. Since then, our High Line gardeners, administrative staff, and neighborhood volunteers have spent more than 1,200 hours preparing the planting beds for spring.

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) beginning to bloom in the Gansevoort Woodland.

With all the plants in bloom right now on the High Line, it's hard to believe there was ever a period of dormancy. From the redbud's bold lipstick-shaped blooms, to the dainty, sunshine-colored miniature daffodils, the whole park is beginning to take on a renewed feeling of wildness.