Picture Perfect

by Betsy Hays

When it comes to natural wonders such as The New York Botanical Garden, we assume the “pictures really don't do it justice" cliche to be doubly true: photographs and words could never depict the natural beauty of the undisputed jewel of the Bronx. Or could they?

I'm here to tell you that some wondrous alchemy involving three years of work among leading photographers, horticulturists, writers and editors has resulted in the impossible. The newly released book, The New York Botanical Garden, (Abrams) edited by Gregory Long and Anne Skillion, senior editor in the publications office of the New York Public Library, creates a unique world in print that is greater than the sum of its individual parts.

As someone who has spent countless hours at NYBG -- as a visitor, garden writer, photographer and student‚ I'm in an informed position to make that assessment. After all, I've seen the original up close and personal, in winter, spring, summer and fall. It is stunningly beautiful. So is the book.

“The challenge in creating this book was portraying The New York Botanical Garden in all its complexity," comments NYBG's Chief Executive, Gregory Long. “After all, it's home to over a million living plants, a world-class science center, the nation's preeminent Victorian glasshouse, and some of the best minds in the botanical world."

So while nothing can replace the experience of being there, The New York Botanical Garden conjures the collective splendor of the Garden's 250 historic acres through hundreds of new photographs commissioned especially for this book, vintage illustrations and photos, literate essays by experts on each of the Garden's major collections, and reproductions of botanical art.

Long adds, "No other Botanical Garden in the country offers such layers of interest. The new book is the only comprehensive history of a major botanical garden available in print, and reflects the recently completed 15 years and 500 million dollars of restoration at the Garden."

This book is a bargain compared to the hours of visual and reading pleasure it is sure to bring, and would make a stellar holiday gift for anyone on your list, including yourself. My advice? Go to NYBG, see the Holiday Train Show, have a cappuccino at the cafe and buy the book at the gift shop.

*Main photo: Liasson Narcissus Collection, Courtesy Sara Cedar Miller

The New York Botanical Garden: (718) 817-8700, www.nybg.org

Betsy Hays: www.betsyhays.com