the conservatory garden

Five shots from the only formal garden in NYC's magnificent Central Park . . .

One of Three Dancing Maidens at the French Garden's Untermyer Fountain.

A partially-shaded walkway.

Flowers in full bloom.

The wrought-iron wisteria pergola, which sits atop a series of tiered yew and spiraea hedges.

The 11-acre Harlem Meer, which means "lake" in Dutch.


Some facts about the six-acre garden:
-comprised of three distinct landscape styles: Italian, French, and English;
-it takes its name from a large glass conservatory (built in 1898) that once stood at the exact location;
-in 1934, when maintenance became too pricey, that glass conservatory was demolished and replaced with the present garden, which opened to the public in 1937;
-the names of the 13 original states are inscribed on the walkway under the pergola.


Find a sunny afternoon and go; I highly recommend it.