Welcome to the New Jersey Botanical Garden

Press Releases

NJBG Holds Kids' Gardening Workshop on May 18
NJBG Second Saturday Gardeners Workshop -- May 11, 2013
Deer-Resistant Plantings program at NJBG on May 11
New Jersey Botanical Garden Plant Sale -- May 4, 5, and 12, 2013
NJBG Earth Day Weekend Celebration -- April 20 and 21, 2013
NJBG - Skylands Manor Tours on April 7, 2013
Pest Management in Your Garden -- March 30, 2013
Family Woodland Hike at NJBG -- March 17, 2013
End-of-Winter Tree Walk at NJBG March 16, 2013 at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden
NJBG - Skylands Manor Tours on March 3, 2013
Family Winter Hike at NJBG - February 17, 2013
Owls of New Jersey -- Audubon program at NJBG -- Feb. 10, 2013
Family Winter Hike at NJBG -- January 20, 2013
Historic Landscape Design Presentation At NJBG -- January 19, 2013

NJBG Holds Kids' Gardening Workshop on May 18

NJBG will sponsor a hands-on Kids' Gardening Workshop at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden, on Saturday, May 18, 2013, at 10 a.m.

Join Nancy Cochrane and Master Gardener and educator Olga Newey in the Carriage House Visitor Center to explore the fun of gardening. You'll learn about growing veggies and plant a little garden to take home with you.

This workshop is for ages 8-16, and children under 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

All materials are provided, but bring gloves if you have them. The fee is $10 for NJBG members and $15 for non-members. For more information and to reserve your spot in the workshop, please call 973-962-9534. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome.

NJBG is located on Morris Road in Ringwood, NJ. Call 973-962-9534 or visit www.njbg.org for more information on NJBG, membership, volunteer opportunities, events or directions. The NJ Botanical Garden is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission to the Garden is always free; parking is also free in the autumn, winter and spring.

In 1966, the State of New Jersey purchased the 1,117 acres of Clarence McKenzie Lewis's Skylands estate as the State's first acquisition under the "Green Acres" preservation program. Governor Thomas Kean designated the central 96 acres surrounding Skylands Manor as the State's official Botanical Garden in 1984. The gardens contain many unique features, including an extensive collection of statuary, historic trees, formal annual garden, perennial beds and an heirloom collection of lilacs.

Since 1976, NJBG/Skylands Association, an incorporated, member-supported non-profit organization, has worked with the State to preserve and protect Skylands and its historic structures. NJBG sponsors programs, concerts and special events throughout the year at the Botanical Garden. Guided tours of the gardens are offered on Sundays at 2 p.m., May through the end of October, weather permitting.

NJBG/Skylands Association receives no funding from the State of New Jersey or from on-site operators. Donations and sponsorships are always appreciated.

Editors: Click here to download a larger JPEG
CAPTION: Young gardeners at NJBG's Kid's Gardening Workshop are captivated as they plant veggies to take home under the guidance of NJBG's Nancy Cochrane and educator Olga Newey. Photo courtesy of NJBG.

NJBG Second Saturday Gardeners Workshop -- May 11, 2013

NJBG's Second Saturday Gardeners Workshop will meet each month this summer -- on the second Saturday, of course -- to learn new gardening skills while also helping the Botanical Garden look its best. This month's session will be on Saturday, May 11, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

"Our weekly Wednesday garden sessions have long been very popular," said Deb Bryant, VP of Volunteers at NJBG, "but many people have asked for weekend workshops as well. We're glad to provide them. It's great fun -- you'll learn all kinds of tips and tricks from experienced gardeners, spend the afternoon in beautiful surroundings, and have the satisfaction of bringing pleasure to many other people as well."

Meet at the Carriage House Visitor Center at 3 p.m. We'll provide water, gloves and tools, but bring your own if you prefer. Steady rain cancels.

Future Second Saturday sessions will be held at 1 p.m. on June 8, July 13, and August 10.

This program is free, but there is a $5 per car State parking fee on summer weekends (Memorial Day to Labor Day).

"We have many wonderful volunteer opportunities at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden," said NJBG President Frank Dyer, "and would love to have you join us. There's our wide range of specialized gardens to help develop, tours and walks to lead, and special projects like our Plant Sale, summer concert series, Harvest Fest and Holiday Open House, which always require many hands. Come meet your fellow garden fans and see how you can help make the Botanical Garden bloom while having a wonderful time."

The New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands, which appears on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places, is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the year. Admission to the Garden is always free. Parking is $5 per car on summer weekends and holidays, but weekday parking is free.

In 1966, the State of New Jersey purchased the 1,117 acres of Skylands, a former country estate and the state's first acquisition under the "Green Acres" preservation program. Governor Thomas Kean designated the central 96 acres surrounding the manor house as the State's official botanical garden in 1984.

Since 1976, NJBG/Skylands Association, an incorporated, member-supported non-profit organization, has worked with the State to preserve and protect Skylands and its historic structures. NJBG sponsors volunteer gardeners, educational programs, concerts and events throughout the year at the Botanical Garden.

NJBG/Skylands is located on Morris Road in Ringwood, New Jersey. For an event schedule, membership brochure, directions or more information, please call 973-962-9534 or visit www.njbg.org.

Editors: Click here to download a larger JPEG
CAPTION: This summer, join our Second Saturday Gardeners for hands-on gardening workshops in the Botanical Garden beginning Saturday, May 11. You'll learn how to make your own yard look better and get a gardening lesson from experienced gardeners, as our teams tackle work in different specialty gardens in the Botanical Garden. This photo shows a well-balanced Perennial border at NJBG, which has different plants in bloom from March to October. Photo courtesy of NJBG.

Deer-Resistant Plantings program at NJBG on May 11

NJBG will sponsor a program on Deer-Resistant Plantings at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden, on Saturday, May 11, 2013, at 1 p.m.

Bambi is charming, but not when he's eating your favorite plants. Emil Rostello of Jacobsen Landscape Design will suggest great planting ideas and tricks to help you deer-proof your garden. While hosta, for example, are a favorite snack with deer, they will leave your peonies alone. Come and learn more ways to out-smart the four-legged visitors in your garden.

Emil Rostello Jr. is a Landscape Designer/Salesperson at Jacobsen Landscape Design and Construction in Midland Park. He has been a landscape designer for over ten years with experience running his own landscape business, as well as working for JLDC. Having studied environmental design and ornamental horticulture, Mr. Rostello has extensive knowledge of local and exotic plant material. He prides himself on using this extensive plant knowledge to create beautiful and sustainable landscapes for his many clients. His experience working in areas where deer predominate has led him to develop design strategies and a plant palette which our furry friends do not devour.

"I have had to deal with the deer issue out of necessity," said Mr. Rostello, "and this has developed into a design and planting style that works well with today's residential properties. I learn more with every project and I look forward to sharing my strategies with you."

Jacobsen Landscape Design and Construction has over 30 years of experience in the green industry, and has distinguished itself as a nationally recognized full-service landscape company. With degreed professionals in Landscape Design and Landscape Architecture, they have won multiple Environmental Improvement Awards from the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) and New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA), and have been recognized as a Top 100 Landscape Company in America by Landscape Management Magazine.

A $5 donation is requested; donations to the NJBG/Skylands Association support improvements at the Botanical Garden.

NJBG is located on Morris Road in Ringwood, NJ. Call 973-962-9534 or visit njbg.org for more information on NJBG, membership, volunteer opportunities, events or directions. The NJ Botanical Garden is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission to the Garden is always free; parking is also free in the autumn, winter and spring.

NJBG/Skylands Association receives no funding from the State of New Jersey or from on-site operators. Donations and sponsorships are always appreciated.

Editors: Click here to download a larger JPEG
CAPTION: Deer are frequent visitors in the meadows at NJBG. They are kept out of the Rhododendron and Hostas Gardens by a very tall fence. Photo by Edwin Kaar.

New Jersey Botanical Garden Plant Sale -- May 4, 5, and 12, 2013

It's NJBG Plant Sale time again at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden, a delightful must-do on every gardener's list this spring. This year's sale will be held on Saturday, May 4; Sunday, May 5; and Sunday, May 12, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will feature a generous array of lush perennials, colorful annuals, robust hanging baskets, tasty vegetables and herbs, as well as dwarf and full-size trees and shrubs. Admission is free. Parking is also free in the spring and during the Plant Sale.

The Plant Sale is held in and around the historic Carriage House Visitor Center on the grounds of the New Jersey State Botanical Garden in Ringwood State Park. Visitors flock to this sale not only for the great plants, but also to see the Garden's lovely formal plantings, extensive historical statuary and world-class collection of mature tree specimens.

On Friday night, May 3, from 6:30 -- 8:30 p.m., NJBG members will be treated to the Plant-Sale Preview Party, an exclusive members-only reception during which many of the choicest plants are traditionally sold. Non-member visitors to the Friday night preview may participate by becoming members at the gate. Master Gardeners and volunteers from the NJBG/Skylands Association -- a member-supported non-profit organization that works with the State to preserve and protect the Garden and its historic structures -- will be on hand to answer questions and help shoppers make selections.

Membership in NJBG/Skylands Association includes admission and benefits at numerous gardens and arboreta in the U.S., discounts in the gift shop, use of the reference library, volunteer opportunities, a quarterly Journal, guest passes for Manor House tours, and more. Individual memberships are $30 per year; $50 for families/dual members; and $20 for seniors/students.

NJBG/Skylands is located on Morris Road in Ringwood, New Jersey. For a calendar of events, membership brochure, directions or more information, please call 973-962-9534 or visit www.njbg.org.

The New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands, which appears on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places, is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the year. Admission to the Garden is always free; parking is also free in the winter, spring and fall. A $5 per car State Park parking charge is in effect on summer weekends and holidays only from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Since 1976, NJBG/Skylands Association, an incorporated, member-supported non-profit organization of volunteers, has worked with the State to preserve and protect Skylands and its historic structures. NJBG also sponsors programs, concerts and events throughout the year at the Botanical Garden.

Editors: Click here to download a larger JPEG

NJBG Earth Day Weekend Celebration -- April 20 and 21, 2013

Come celebrate Earth Day at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden!

The NJBG/Skylands Association has many great events planned for both children and adults throughout the weekend of April 20-21. You can also enjoy nature's beauty by strolling the formal gardens, exploring the woodlands, or hiking and biking the many well-marked trails. You'll find the Botanical Garden filled with stunning pink cherry blossoms, charming spring wildflowers, and floods of sunny yellow daffodils in full bloom. (Note: exact bloom times are dependent on weather conditions).

Special NJBG Earth Day weekend events:

SATURDAY, April 20

Home Depot Kids' Workshop (10 am-12 noon):
Great fun for the youngsters! Come build a small garden-oriented project at one of Home Depot's super Children's Workshops, held at the Carriage House Visitor Center in the Botanical Garden. Materials and volunteers provided by Home Depot. $5 donation requested.
Early Spring Wildflower Walk (10 am):
Spring is peeking out everywhere! Join Nancy Bristow in checking out the early bloomers in the Wildflower Garden! Wear sturdy shoes, meet at the Carriage House. Rain or snow cancels. $5 donation requested.
Earth Day Workshop - Get Ready for Spring! (1 pm):
Meet some of the invasive plants that live in our area, learn how to get your garden ready for spring, then join us for a hands-on workshop in the Botanical Garden. Meet at the Carriage House. Bring gloves if you have them. Rain cancels. FREE

SUNDAY, April 21

Coloring in the Garden (12 noon-4 pm):
Perfect for young garden fans! We'll have coloring designs and crayons available for budding garden artists, and hope you'll stop in at the Carriage House Visitor Center to create your own coloring masterpiece. FREE
Earth Day Walk (1 pm):
Join in this fun walk designed to raise awareness of our bio-diversity, and to enjoy the beginnings of spring in the Botanical Garden. Meet at the Carriage House. Wear sturdy shoes. Rain cancels. $5 donation requested.
Free Guided Garden Tour (2 pm):
Knowledgeable NJBG docents take you on a tour of what's blooming around the Botanical Garden. Meet at the Carriage House. Wear sturdy shoes. Rain cancels.

NJBG/Skylands is located on Morris Road in Ringwood, New Jersey. For a calendar of events, membership brochure, directions or more information, please call 973-962-9534 or visit www.njbg.org.

The New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands, which appears on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places, is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the year. Admission to the Garden is always free; parking is also free in the winter, spring and fall. A $5 per car State Park parking charge is in effect on summer weekends and holidays only from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Editors: Click here to download a larger JPEG
CAPTION: Cherries in bloom at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden. Photo by Maja Britton.

NJBG - Skylands Manor Tours on April 7, 2013

Guided tours of the ground floor of historic Skylands Manor at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden will be available on Sunday, April 7, 2013, from 11 am to 3 pm. Tours will also be offered on May 5.

Sponsored by the NJBG/Skylands Association, the non-profit member support organization working with the State to preserve the gardens, the 45-minute guided tours of Skylands history and architecture are conducted by NJBG volunteer tour guides, or docents.

Skylands Manor, a Tudor Revival mansion, was constructed in the early 20th century for Clarence McKenzie Lewis by renowned architect John Russell Pope. Pope also designed many outstanding private buildings, including the Jefferson Memorial and National Gallery of Art, both in Washington, D.C. Among Skylands Manor's many attractions are a remarkable collection of antique stained glass medallions set in leaded windows, including pieces from 16th century German, Bavarian and Swiss sites. The lanterns, electrical fixtures, lamps, spiral staircase rail and gate were fashioned by Samuel Yellin, who led the American revival of the use of iron as decorative art.

The suggested donations for Manor House tours are: $7 for adults; $5 for seniors and students aged 13-18; $3 for children aged 6-12; and free for children under age 6.

Since 1976, The NJBG/Skylands Association, an incorporated, member-supported non-profit organization of volunteers, has worked with the State to preserve and protect NJBG/Skylands and its historic structures.

The New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands, which appears on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places, is open from 8 am to 8 pm every day of the year. Admission to the Garden is always free. Summer parking is free on weekdays, and $5 per car on summer weekends and holidays (Memorial Day thru Labor Day, inclusive).

NJBG/Skylands is located off Morris Road in Ringwood, New Jersey. For an event schedule, membership brochure, directions or more information, call 973-962-9534 or visit www.njbg.org.

Editors: Click here to download a larger JPEG
CAPTION: Historic Skylands Manor is nestled among the New Jersey State Botanical Garden's many lovely specialty gardens. Guided tours of Skylands Manor will be available on Sunday, April 7, 2013 from 11 am to 3 pm. Photo courtesy of NJBG/Skylands Association.

Pest Management in Your Garden -- March 30, 2013

NJBG invites you to come get a good start on your garden this year by learning about some of the peskiest pests who want to eat your vegetables and munch on your flowers.

Ray Edel, garden columnist for The Record/Herald News, will present a program on Pest Management in Your Garden on Saturday, March 30, 2013, at 10 a.m. Just in time for your spring gardening, he'll teach you ways to hold off a whole menagerie of invaders and keep your garden plot pest-free. The program will be held in the Carriage House Visitor Center, and a $5 donation is requested.

The New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands, which appears on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places, is open every day of the year. Admission to the Garden is always free. Parking is also free in the fall, winter and spring.

Since 1976, NJBG/Skylands Association, an incorporated, member-supported non-profit organization, has worked with the State to preserve and protect Skylands and its historic structures. NJBG sponsors volunteer gardeners, educational programs, concerts and events throughout the year at the Botanical Garden.

The NJBG/Skylands Association receives no funding from the State of New Jersey or from on-site operators. Donations and sponsorships are always appreciated.

NJBG/Skylands is located on Morris Road in Ringwood, New Jersey. For an event schedule, membership brochure, directions or more information, please call 973-962-9534 or visit www.njbg.org.

Editors: Click here to download a larger JPEG
CAPTION: Deer are just one of the many garden pests you'll learn to deal with in a program on Pest Management, presented by Ray Edel at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden on Saturday, March, 30 at 10 am. Photo by Edwin Kaar.

Family Woodland Hike at NJBG -- March 17, 2013

NJBG invites you to pack up the kids (and the grandparents!) and come on a Family Woodland Hike at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden, on Sunday, March 17, 2013, at 1 p.m. Hikes are also scheduled for April 21 and May 19, 2013.

Join NJBG's volunteer hike leaders for an easy, family-friendly hike that's great fun for all nature lovers ages 6 and up. Younger children are welcome, but may need to be carried. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Wear comfortable shoes and meet at the Carriage House Visitor Center. Rain or snow cancels.

NJBG offers these Family Woodland Hikes on the third Sunday afternoon each month, and each walk is structured to fit the group. Depending on the weather, hikes may include meanders along the Garden's charming woodland and meadow paths, with steppingstone bridges to navigate. More ambitious groups may make the easy trip to the top of Mount Defiance for a splendid view across the Ramapo Mountains. In each walk we'll explore some of the geology, plants and animals that call the Garden home.

Since 1976, NJBG/Skylands Association, an incorporated, member-supported non-profit organization, has worked with the State to preserve and protect Skylands and its historic structures. NJBG sponsors volunteer gardeners, educational programs, concerts and events throughout the year at the Botanical Garden.

The NJBG/Skylands Association receives no funding from the State of New Jersey or from on-site operators. Donations and sponsorships are always appreciated.

NJBG/Skylands is located on Morris Road in Ringwood, New Jersey. For an event schedule, membership brochure, directions or more information, please call 973-962-9534 or visit www.njbg.org.

Editors: Click here to download a larger JPEG
CAPTION: Snowdrops are among the first harbingers of spring, and you'll have a chance to look for them all around the New Jersey State Botanical Garden on NJBG's next Family Woodland Hike, on Sunday, March 17, 2013 at 1 p.m. Walks are also scheduled for April 21 and May 19, 2013. Photo by Maja Britton.

End-of-Winter Tree Walk at NJBG March 16, 2013 at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden

NJBG will sponsor an End-of-Winter Tree Walk at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden on Saturday, March 16, at 10 a.m. While it's still chilly outside, the signs of spring are already visible in many places if you know where to look!

Join Head Landscape Designer Rich Flynn for a delightful and educational walk in the Botanical Garden. You'll meet dozens of beautiful trees and learn how to identify them from their structure, branching, and budding patterns before the leaves once again appear. You'll enjoy the subtle signs of spring peeking out everywhere -- a sure cure for cabin fever after a long winter.

Meet at the Carriage House Visitor Center at 10 a.m., and wear comfortable shoes. Snow or heavy rain cancels. The Tree Walk is open to the public free of charge, but a $5 donation is welcomed.

Since 1976, NJBG/Skylands Association, an incorporated, member-supported non-profit organization of volunteers, has worked with the State to preserve and protect Skylands and its historic structures. NJBG sponsors programs, concerts and events throughout the year at the Botanical Garden.

NJBG/Skylands is located on Morris Road in Ringwood, New Jersey. For an event schedule, membership brochure, directions or more information, please call 973-962-9534 or visit www.njbg.org.

Editors: Click here to download a larger JPEG
CAPTION: One of the stars at NJBG's annual End-of-Winter Tree Walk is a stately American Elm (right) near the Botanical Garden's charming Pump House. The tree survived the blight of Dutch Elm disease that devastated native elm populations in the U.S. and Europe because it was planted apart from other elms and has been inoculated against the fungal killer. This year's Tree Walk will be held on March 16, 2013 at 10 am at NJBG. Visit njbg.org for directions and other upcoming events. Photo courtesy of NJBG.

NJBG - Skylands Manor Tours on March 3, 2013

Guided tours of the ground floor of historic Skylands Manor at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden will be available on Sunday, March 3, 2013, from 11 am to 3 pm. Tours will also be offered on April 7 and May 5.

The suggested donations for Manor House tours are: $7 for adults; $5 for seniors and students aged 13-18; $3 for children aged 6-12; and free for children under age 6.

NJBG/Skylands is located off Morris Road in Ringwood, New Jersey. For an event schedule, membership brochure, directions or more information, call 973-962-9534 or visit www.njbg.org.

Editors: Click here to download a larger JPEG
CAPTION: The west face of Skylands Manor at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden is a fine example of the Tudor half-timbered style, and includes beautiful carvings along the roof beams. NJBG will sponsor tours of the Manor on Sunday, March 3, 2013, from 11 am to 3 pm. Photo courtesy of NJBG.

Family Winter Hike at NJBG - February 17, 2013

NJBG invites you to pack up the kids (and the grandparents!) and come on a Family Winter Hike at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden, on Sunday, February 17, at 1 p.m. Walks are also scheduled for March 17 and April 21, 2013.

Join us for an easy, family-friendly hike that's great fun for all nature lovers ages 6 and up. Younger children are welcome, but may need to be carried. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Wear sturdy shoes and meet at the Carriage House Visitor Center. Rain or snow cancels.

NJBG offers these Family Winter Hikes on the third Sunday afternoon each month, and each hike is structured to fit the group. Depending on the weather, it may include meanders along the Garden's charming woodland and meadow paths, with steppingstone bridges to navigate. More ambitious groups may make the easy trip to the top of Mount Defiance for a splendid view across the Ramapo Mountains. In each hike we'll explore some of the geology, plants and animals that call the Botanical Garden home.

The New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands, which appears on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places, is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day in winter, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. the rest of the year. Admission to the Garden is always free. Parking is also free in the fall, winter and spring.

Since 1976, NJBG/Skylands Association, an incorporated, member-supported non-profit organization, has worked with the State to preserve and protect Skylands and its historic structures. The Association sponsors volunteer gardeners, educational programs, hikes and walks, concerts and events throughout the year at the Botanical Garden.

The NJBG/Skylands Association receives no funding from the State of New Jersey or from on-site operators. Donations and sponsorships are always appreciated.

NJBG/Skylands is located on Morris Road in Ringwood, New Jersey. For an event schedule, membership brochure, directions or more information, please call 973-962-9534 or visit www.njbg.org.

Editors: Click here to download a larger JPEG
CAPTION: NJBG's monthly Family Woodland Hikes explore the plants, animals and geology of the New Jersey State Botanical Garden in short hikes designed to fit the group, a sure cure for cabin fever this time of year. The next hike will be held on February 17 at 1 p.m.; hikes are also scheduled for March 17 and April 21, 2013. Photo by Maja Britton.

Owls of New Jersey -- Audubon program at NJBG -- Feb. 10, 2013

NJBG invites you to learn more about the Owls of New Jersey at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden on Sunday, February 10, 2013, at 1 pm.

Don Torino of the Bergen County Audubon Society will offer an indoor photo presentation on these fascinating raptors, touching on the many different species that inhabit our region. Sorry, no live specimens.

This program is free and will be held indoors at the Carriage House Visitor Center. Snow date: February 24 at 1pm (only in the event of an ongoing snowstorm on Feb. 10).

The New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands, which appears on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places, is open from 8 am to 6 pm every day in the winter, 8 am to 8 pm the rest of the year. Admission to the Garden is always free. Parking is also free in the fall, winter and spring.

Since 1976, NJBG/Skylands Association, an incorporated, member-supported non-profit organization, has worked with the State to preserve and protect Skylands and its historic structures. NJBG sponsors volunteer gardeners, educational programs, concerts and events throughout the year at the Botanical Garden.

NJBG receives no funding from the State of New Jersey or from on-site operators. Donations and sponsorships are always appreciated.

NJBG/Skylands is located on Morris Road in Ringwood, New Jersey. For an event schedule, membership brochure, directions or more information, please call 973-962-9534 or visit www.njbg.org.

Editors: Click here to download a larger JPEG
CAPTION: The Great Horned Owl is one of the natives you'll meet in a program about the Owls of New Jersey at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden on Sunday, February 10, 2013, at 1 pm. This program is sponsored by the NJBG/Skylands Association and the Bergen County Audubon Society. Photo courtesy of Myke Malzone.

Family Winter Hike at NJBG -- January 20, 2013

NJBG invites you to pack up the kids (and the grandparents!) and come on a Family Winter Hike at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden, on Sunday, January 20, at 1 p.m. Walks are also scheduled for February 17 and March 17, 2013.

Since 1976, NJBG/Skylands Association, an incorporated, member-supported non-profit organization, has worked with the State to preserve and protect Skylands and its historic structures. NJBG sponsors volunteer gardeners, educational programs, concerts and events throughout the year at the Botanical Garden.

NJBG receives no funding from the State of New Jersey or from on-site operators. Donations and sponsorships are always appreciated.

NJBG/Skylands is located on Morris Road in Ringwood, New Jersey. For an event schedule, membership brochure, directions or more information, please call 973-962-9534 or visit www.njbg.org.

Editors: Click here to download a larger JPEG
CAPTION: At the beginning of a Family Woodland Hike, NJBG Hike leader Rich Cahayla-Wynne (in green, facing camera) explains our regional geology in front of the Carriage House Visitor Center, whose stonework is a beautiful overview of local rock formations. NJBG's monthly Family Woodland Hikes explore the plants, animals and geology of the New Jersey State Botanical Garden in short hikes designed to fit the group. The next hike will be held on January 20 at 1 p.m.; hikes are also scheduled for February 17 and March 17, 2013. Photo by Maja Britton.

Historic Landscape Design Presentation At NJBG -- January 19, 2013

Skylands, the New Jersey State Botanical Garden in Ringwood, is a unique botanical and architectural gem, a former country estate featuring elegantly landscaped grounds, historic buildings, and a vast collection of unusual plant species from around the world. What many people do not know is that Skylands is also home to New Jersey's only State Botanical Garden.

Head Landscape Designer Rich Flynn will offer a presentation on "Landscape Design at Skylands: A Historical Perspective" on Saturday, January 19, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. in the Carriage House at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden in Ringwood, NJ. All are welcome; a $5 donation is requested.

In 1922, Clarence McKenzie Lewis, an investment banker and trustee of the New York Botanical Garden, purchased the property from the estate of Francis Lynde Stetson, who founded Skylands in 1891. Over the next 30 years, Lewis built the existing Tudor-style 45-room Manor House and transformed Skylands into a botanical showplace.

Italian landscape designer Ferruccio Vitale (1875-1933), who developed his reputation through important civic commissions such as the National Mall and the National Gallery of Art, created the country-estate landscape of Skylands. Most of the trees now framing the house were planted by Lewis and his crew of over 60 gardeners (in peak seasons), including the magnificent copper beeches. Wanting to appeal to all of the senses, Lewis stressed symmetry, color, texture, form and fragrance in his gardens.

The New Jersey State Botanical Garden, located on the central 96 acres of this 1,100-acre former country estate, is a distinctive botanic and architectural destination in its own right. Purchased in 1966 as New Jersey's first "Green Acres" acquisition, NJBG features elegantly landscaped grounds containing many of the original garden designs, historic buildings, extensive statuary and vast collection of plant species from around the world.

The centerpiece of the property is Skylands Manor, a Tudor Revival mansion constructed in the early 20th century by renowned architect John Russell Pope, for the estate's owner, Clarence McKenzie Lewis. Pope also designed many outstanding private residences and public buildings, including the Jefferson Memorial and National Gallery of Art, both in Washington, D.C. Other distinguished contributors to Skylands included decorative metal designer and craftsman Samuel Yellin (1885-1940), who led the American revival of the use of iron as decorative art. Yellin fashioned the lanterns, electrical fixtures, lamps, spiral staircase rail and gate of the Manor House.

The New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands, which appears on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places, is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day in winter; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. the rest of the year. Admission to the Garden is always free, with a small State parking charge on summer weekends only.

NJBG/Skylands is located off Morris Road in Ringwood, New Jersey. For an event schedule, membership brochure, directions or more information, call 973-962-9534 or visit www.njbg.org.

Editors: Click here to download a larger JPEG

Editors: Click here to download a larger JPEG
CAPTION: Barbara Lewis, whose father Clarence built the estate and gardens at Skylands, posed in the 1930s next to one of her favorite spots: the grotto in the Azalea Garden. These days, the grotto and its beautiful water lilies are enjoyed by thousands of visitors to the New Jersey State Botanical Garden. This and other features of the prestigious historic landscape design at Skylands are the subject of a presentation by Head Landscape Designer Rich Flynn on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. The program will be held in NJBG's Carriage House Visitor Center at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden in Ringwood. For more information, please visit njbg.org. Photos courtesy of NJBG.