We were in NYC this weekend and came across several things related to gardening in the city.

One of our first destinations was High Line Park.  I had high expectations for High Line after reading many rave reviews since the park opened last month.  Those expectations were met - it is stunning.  By far, it is one of the best examples of an urban park that mimics patterns and processes natural ecosystems to compliment its urban context.

The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens had an exhibit on “wicked plants.”  The exhibit uses parts of their existing collection as well as some special plantings to highlight the natural and cultural history of poisonous and carnivorous plants.  The exhibit wasn’t as extensive as I expected, but it was an effective way to generate interest in their existing collections. Our minibog and poisonous/edible plants garden would have felt right at home with the plants included in the exhibit.

After the BBG, we had a tasty lunch at a low-key restaurant called James.  Plants play an important role in both the food and the design of this place.  They grow their herbs in a rooftop garden.  Massive palm fronds in a vase at the bar made a striking statement in the interior of the space.  I also admired the vintage seed dispersal teaching poster they had on the back wall and the staghorn fern mounted on antique wood near the bar.