the first signs of spring in Central Park

 Spring in Central Park's Conservatory Garden

The first signs of Spring, after a long winter, are a sense of hope and renewal. This has never been more true than after the year we've had, with a global pandemic, an insurrection & election, and countless other 2020/2021 unprecedented events.  One of the best places to see this hopeful renewal is The Conservatory Garden in Central Park.

First Signs of Spring

Daffodils are one of the first flowers to pop out of the cold earth and their sunny, happy, appearance is the most enlightening surprise when you least expect it.  Central Park is full of daffodils in early April and The Conservatory Garden is one of my favorite places to snap their photos.

The Conservatory Gardens are broken down into three distinct gardens:  The French Garden in the North, Italian Garden in the Center, and the English Garden in the South. In early Spring, the English Garden really shines with it's Magnolia Blossoms, but the other gardens offer glimpses of Spring in their own beautiful way.  

Walk through the Vanderbilt Gate (that once guarded the home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II) into the Italian Garden.  It is symmetrical in design and contains a single-jet fountain, the wisteria pergola, and is surrounded by yew hedges and crabapple trees.  

The French Garden includes Untermyer Fountain (Three Dancing Maidens by Walker Schott) that is surrounded by an ornamental French parterre garden with paths and intricate detail.  Tulips bloom in the Spring and Korean Chrysanthemums in the Fall.

Lastly, the English Garden contains the Burnett Fountain (created to honor Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of The Secret Garden) in the calm and serene waterlily pool.  This garden was built to resemble an English concentric perennial garden and is awash in the pink of Magnolia trees in early Spring.  

 

In just a few short weeks, the pergola will be filled with blooming wisteria and the grounds will be covered in tulips.  If daffodils and crabapple blossoms are the first signs of Spring, tulips are the sign that we're officially into THE BEST season.  

Even in the heart of the gardens, you are very aware that you're in the middle of NYC.  The contrast between the tall buildings and lush grounds, makes you appreciate nature even more.  Jog along the pathways or sit with a coffee and a Kindle on one of the benches under the shade trees.  There are so many ways to enjoy these magnificent gardens.  My favorite experience, of course, is with a Cannon and a good pair of walking shoes :)

Spring is just starting to peak it's head out from under the blanket of Winter.  Check back for the Magnolia Blossoms (early April), the Tulips (late April), and the Wisteria (early May) of the Central Park Conservatory Garden.