Maybe our coolest collection of fountain urns to date? The latest plants adorning the urns of the Southern Fountain, curated by our Horticulture Team, include foxglove and scotch broom as centerpiece plants, filled alongside pansies and osteospermum, and three different varieties of nasturtium. The vision behind this selection was to complement the nearby tulips while being able to withstand the hotter days and cooler nights of spring. Pansies are a classic spring annual, and do well in the face of temperature fluctuations. Vibrant in color with a long bloom time, our team selected a 'Clear Mix'—a variety of different bright colors all grown together. Osteospermum, another staple spring annual, features small daisy-like blooms and also possesses a long bloom time. The foxglove is a team favorite between spring and summer as a container plant. Eye-catching and standing very upright, their flowers have evolved to create a 'pathway' for pollinators (the darker, speckled part of the flower). "As we know, purple is the color bees are most attracted to as well, so I keep that in mind with container plantings," notes Gaby, Horticulture Manager. Nasturtium was traditionally used in culinary plantings; it attracted pests and drew them away from more sensitive crops. It can be identified by round, lily pad-like leaves and bright, vibrant blooms. For this arrangement, the team grew 'Purple Trail,' 'Alaska,' and 'Jewel' nasturtium in a makeshift greenhouse, which should bloom by the end of the month. (fb)

Catch these bluebells while they're still in bloom! Join us tomorrow at 5:30 PM for our latest Garden Walk through Madison Square Park, led by our team of horticulture experts. On this spring blooms tour, you can expect to learn more about rhododendrons, azaleas, mountain laurel, and more. Free and open to the public, you can register by clicking the Upcoming Events link in our bio. (fb)