Last year, the pandemic shut the gates of many public gardens just as spring was on its way: According to a survey by the American Public Gardens Association, only about 4 percent of public gardens remained fully open as of March 30, 2020. Once public gardens began to reopen months later, they became places of natural respite for visitors, perhaps even more so than in the past. The Bronx, N.Y.Start spring with snowdrops, one of the early bloomers already emerging on the 250-acre grounds of the New York Botanical Garden. With their white petals, the flowers appear along with the violet-colored spring crocus, Cornelian cherry dogwood and hellebore (also called Lenten rose). Garden tickets must be reserved in advance, starting at $22 for visitors to the garden grounds; New York City residents with proof of residency receive discounted admission and free admission to the grounds on Wednesdays.

Source: New York Times March 21, 2021 02:37 UTC