Miniature Stone Arch

July 7, 2025

Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,

Serendipity is a wonderful quality in a garden. Imagine our delight when we spied this miniature stone arch (crafted, no doubt, by miniature hands) on the retaining wall below the Temple of Love. Perhaps it was the work of an aspiring young architect.

The Rock and Stream Garden is looking quite alpine these days as the herbaceous perennials have bushed out quite nicely over the years. One of the genius details of the stream is that additional water is piped into it at intervals to simulate the naturally increasing flow of water downhill. You can hear it, too.

This is the season when our noted hydrangea collection comes into its full glory. It looks like another good year, as we were spared any damaging spring frosts. Come down to the lower terrace of the Walled Garden and behold these beauties for yourself. If you want to learn more about hydrangeas, please sign up for Drew Schuylers's class, All About Hydrangeas, which highlights our more than 50 varieties of hydrangeas.

Some of you have expressed interest in helping out at Untermyer Gardens. During these days of peak attendance, there is no greater service than to volunteer as a greeter. On weekends through October, greeters work two-hour shifts in teams of two under the tent near the entrance. They are especially helpful in assisting new visitors and are critical in accepting donations to help maintain the garden. Seeing the joy on the faces of our visitors is a bonus. You can learn more and join our volunteer program through our Volunteer webpage.

The month of July will see three performances in our Minnie Untermyer Concert Series, all at 5:00 p.m. On Sunday, July 13, a brass quintet from the Westchester Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a mix of classical and popular music. This concert is in memory of Christine Kenney O’Rourke, a beloved Untermyer volunteer.

This is followed by the return of the Victor LaGamma Jazz Quartet on Sunday, July 20, always a well-attended event. Finally, Eléonore Biezunski & Friends will perform Yiddish songs about nature in a lively concert of klezmer music on Sunday, July 27.