Roses take the spotlight at New York Botanical Garden

Just this once, when we say “rose” we’re not talking about the wine.

The Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden is at its peak this month (it’s halfway there already!), and the New York Botanical Garden is kicking it off with a whole weekend of events inspired by and dedicated to the flower of love.

Browse the thousands of blooms at your leisure with a drink in hand from a weekend-only bar, or get to know the garden better on a guided tour (on the hour daily). Expect to find surprises like music by a harpist and cello player, and dance performances by the Phoenix Project among the blooms. If the urge to make your own art is too strong, there are materials available to aspiring painters, or get some pointers from painter James Gurney on Sunday.

This special corner of the botanical garden, designed by Edith Wharton’s niece and finished with funds from the Rockefeller family, is home to more than 600 varieties of the blooms. Horticulurists are in the process of replacing daintier varieties with ones better suited to the Northeast’s harsh climate – talk about bold and beautiful.

Access to the garden and all of the Rose Garden Weekend special events is included in the $25 admission price.