Border Patrol May 6, 2009
Or The Seasonal Walk Saga
By Tovah Martin
Prime Without Pause
Since the NYBG Seasonal Walk hosts a series of weddings and therefore must be prime without pause throughout the growing season, the NYBG design crew carefully selected annuals to brighten the border while it is being switched from the spring wardrobe to summer attire. In the Nemesia Sunsatia® series, the flamboyant Mango, Pear, and Raspberry shades were selected. Also, deep red Dianthus barbatus (sweet William) ‘Sweet Red’ is being installed as well as erysimums (wallflowers), white snapdragons, and pink foxgloves.
To color up the front of the border until the colchicum steps to the fore, Nemesia Sunsatia® Raspberry acts as edging. All the annuals were chosen to echo the same soft pinks and creamy yellows that the tulips portrayed when they commanded the space, while the red sweet William is intended to carry the same brazen red torch that ‘Attila’ and ‘Flaming Spring Green’ once bore. Most of the annuals stand at 12 – 18 inches in height, but the foxgloves add height. Their role is to merge and balance the lilies of equal stature that are in full bud and promise to be the next wave in the bulb/perennial fanfare, coupled with the Allium schubertii that’s also tuning up to contribute to the orchestra. 