It’s an intimate affair, with incredible - and often rare - plants, garden furniture, and accessories - some whimsical, to inspire your garden designs.
Plus there’s always garden royalty and horticulture stars sparkling the tented aisles.
So with a glass of champagne, much “green” bonhomie, you walk the show.
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| Better Homes & Gardens, Editor in Chief & VP Editorial Director, Meredith (R) w husband Chad, (C) & Hudson Valley friend -- I can't remember name - please forgive me!! |
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| Left to Right: Charles Yurgalevitch, Director SoPH NYBG, Angie Lambert, Photographer/Storyteller, Louis Bauer, Sr. Dir. Horticulture, Wave Hill, Marco Polo Stefano, founding Dr. of Horticulture, Wave Hill & Hort Hero |
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| Not a Green Thumb! See, even Hort Legends like Marco Polo Stefano fall prey to plant power. Ha... |
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| NYBG CEO & President, Carrie Rebora Barratt, always a fashion force was wearing Gary Graham, greeting guests at the Fair |
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| Marc Hachadourian, NYBG’s Director of Glasshouse Horticulture and Senior Curator of Orchids - & soon-to-be-published author of Orchid Modern |
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| Barbara Frelinghuysen Israel - who shows her exquisite antiques every year |
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| Sigourney Weaver - is also an NYBG Board of Trustee member. Love her Garden voice ads -- & support - & that gorgeous green coat... |
Festivities began with the curated collection of rare and exotic garden plants hand-picked by NYBG’s horticultural staff, who were on hand to advise on the best selections for your home and garden.
Annual early-bird shoppers at the Plant Sale include those passionate plant lovers: Martha Stewart and Bette Midler - (just to name drop some of the more illustrious Fair attendees.)
According to NYBG: “Exciting varieties of spring-blooming trees and shrubs, including cherry, magnolia, serviceberry, dogwood, lilac, deutzia, heath, and azalea… all be on display, as well as a cheerful selection of early blooming herbaceous perennials and woodland ephemerals.
Collectors… could choose from “modern introductions of classic garden favorites such as hydrangea, dahlia, roses, and rhododendrons, alongside unique ornamental conifers.” There were many NYBG Grown selections. The Garden’s curators were on hand to “highlight some of their favorite hard-to-find garden gems, from rare Rock Garden lovelies to some truly bold glasshouse surprises.” Most were sold out by the first hour; the School of Professional Horticulture Students (SoPH) helped buyers get their new collector’s items to their transport.
There was also a Silent Auction featuring a selection of outstanding items to bid on. It’s possible there are still some items you can contact Heather at: hgries@nybg.org - speaking for myself, I’d love to see that Munder Skiles Xylo arm chair in my garden terrace or at one of my clients.
Here are a few highlights of the furniture and accessories I was attracted to. I was also keeping my eyes peeled for some things to put on pedestals, for a friend and garden client so you’ll see more of those looks, perhaps.
I loved these mermaid follies - I can see the ladies in languid repose in a garden by the sea or near a lovely pool:
These were a curiosity. They reminded me of some pieces (new) I saw from Opiary at the Architectural Digest Show.
And these regal Sphinx were commanding. Maybe at your driveway entrance or to mark a stair to a secret garden?
Maybe the ultimate in a folly is this life-sized (for me) statue of Peter Pan and Tinkerbell to bring out the fantasy…
So fun! 
You can never have enough garden sprites or cherubs! 
Topiaries are so glamorous - especially when set off by such elegant urns and containers:
I saw lovely white garden furniture and accessories. To my eye, white is like a crisp white linen shirt -- accenting the green of the garden and the blue sky - perfect for a moon garden room, too.
Did you say accessories? Finials and garden border markers that make you notice - add the details that really style your garden room:
I saw more mid-century items this year - from bar carts to outdoor furniture. I think it parallels the increase in mid-century gardens I’m hearing clients increasingly ask for:
I enjoy the attendees' utter delight in seeing such gorgeous items -- and I am always impressed with the subdued yet frenzied buying:
The Garden is offering a full schedule for the Garden Furniture & Antiques Fair weekend. Check the website for details.
You can expect to enjoy the “nation’s leading dealers offering classic furniture and fine antiques—some with a modern twist, both elegant and fanciful.
You can also indulge in this year’s exquisite Orchid Show: Singapore, also on view, and take advantage of expert-led orchid care demonstrations.
I couldn’t resist walking the Orchid Show yet again (I covered the opening in this post: The Seductive Orchid Show at NYBG
The show is extraordinary at night! So ethereal. Be sure to visit both day and night - and enjoy the special Orchid cocktail evenings - if you can get your hands on the usually sold-out tickets for this magical experience. So romantic…
A preview of the acclaimed NYBG Farmers Market on Saturday and Sunday and live musical entertainment round out this perfect spring weekend.
The featured designers at NYBG’s Garden Furniture & Antiques Fair were the Brooklyn-based, dynamic trio from Manscapers, the exterior design and high-end landscaping firm on the hit Bravo TV show Backyard Envy. Finally, a garden show about garden design and plants (and not a focus on real estate.
Garrett Magee, James DeSantis, and Melissa Brasier created an organic, site-specific installation as the Fair’s centerpiece. It was very pretty / very transporting…
Garrett and James will also be on hand on Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. so you’ll get to meet these green TV stars, first-hand.
“Mirror, Mirror on the Wall” -- With the last of my iphone battery, I couldn’t resist this mirror - It reminded me of a fabulous garden mirror I bought years ago - and gave to a sister.
According to NYBG, “All proceeds from the Preview Party & Collectors’ Plant Sale benefit NYBG’s Fund for Horticulture, directly supporting the work of the curators and gardeners who are responsible for making The New York Botanical Garden—a major educational institution and a renowned plant research and conservation organization—one of the grandest horticultural showplaces.” So there you have it, you can enjoy a rare exhibit - and a clutch of garden shows and classes - not to mention the Garden in spring - while you’re doing good.
