Preparing for the Spring Flower Show
December 9, 2011
By: Erik Howard George
Although winter is days away, our park horticulturalist, Rebecca McMackin, is already preparing for spring. On this chilly December day, Rebecca is getting her hands dirty planting 8,000 Spanish Bluebell bulbs on Pier 1 with the help of 5 volunteers.
Come mid-to-late spring these flowers will dazzle park-goers with their vibrant blue petals for approximately two weeks. If the timing is right, the bluebells will bloom simultaneously with the Cherry Laurels, creating a luscious bed of white and blue flowers at the entrance to Pier 1 for all to enjoy.
Rebecca demonstrates proper bulb planting technique.
Rebecca specifically selected the Spanish Bluebell because of its showstopping bloom. The Bluebell will lead the “spring flower show,” followed by Cherry Laurels and then Day Lilies, which will then usher in the wide assortment of summer blooms. Unlike many bulbs, the Spanish Bluebell is expected to naturalize in its environment, allowing it to return year after year with the help of the park’s organic compost. In fact, years following the first bloom will be even more awe-inspiring than the first.
Come May, visit Pier 1 to see the 8,000 Spanish Bluebells steal the show!
If you would like to contribute to the beauty and maintenance of the park’s landscape, join Rebecca’s Horticulture Volunteer Team. Contact Rebecca at rmcmackin@bbpnyc.org for more information.
Rebecca and her horticulture crew planting Bluebell bulbs in the Pier 1 Entrance Bed,
