Projects
Expanded Native Flora Garden
A one-acre expansion currently under way will nearly double the size of the 101-year-old Native Flora Garden and represent two important ecosystems—a coastal plain meadow and pine barrens, each a unique and threatened local habitat. The expansion furthers the Garden’s effort in plant conservation and reinforces its role as a resource for learning about native ecosystems.
Locally sourced flora has been a priority in the development of the new habitats, and careful records are being kept for the provenance of each plant added to the garden. Much of the plant material has been legally collected from within 100 miles of BBG. Read more about the design of the Expanded Native Flora Garden.
A Closer Look at the Native Flora Garden
Pine Barrens
The pine barrens will contain both dry and wet plant communities found in coastal New Jersey and Long Island. Dry, sandy upland habitat will be home to gnarly pitch pines and scrub oaks. Wetlands will feature many rare and unusual species, such as carnivorous plants and orchids.
Coastal Plain Meadow
Among the diverse plant life supported in the coastal plain meadow will be sweeps of grasses and successively blooming wildflowers, including species native to Staten Island’s scarce serpentine grasslands.
