Border Patrol Early June, 2009
Of The Seasonal Walk Saga
By Tovah Martin
Bulb Bonanza
So, the Seasonal Walk holds perennials far off the beaten track to wow the Big Apple. But it’s also dedicated to presenting an all-star cast of connoisseur quality bulbs far more impressive than the usual bulb-on-the-street. For a city familiar with daffodils, tulips, and not much else, the acidantheras (Gladiolus callianthus), crocosmias, oxalis, ixias, and tuberous begonias being installed into the beds are as much a conversation piece as the snow leopard in the zoo next door. Right now, with the Incarvillea delavayi performing full force, New Yorkers have been reaching into their backpacks, pulling out their notepads, and drilling staff members about the plant’s identity, requirements, suitability for penthouse life, and adaptability for growing on the balcony.
Indeed, the incarvilleas are impressive. Lining the front of the border like a ribbon of open-faced orchids, this little jewel is exceeding everyone’s expectations. Perfectly suited to the sunny side of the border, but equally copasetic with the shady space as well (in fact, the slightly taller flower spikes on the shady side are real crowd pleasers), the incarvilleas are the runaway celebrities at the moment. Inserted as 3 inch plugs just a few brief weeks ago (you could call it – Sets and the City), they grew by gangbusters to steal the show.
