New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx in Bronx County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Ladies' Border
This narrow garden overflows with a mix of ornamental plants for sun and shade.
This historic garden is named in honor of The New York Botanical Garden's Women Advisory Council. Beginning in the 1920s, this group of forward-thinking women sought to create plant collections that were not only scientifically valuable, but also beautiful. Renowned American landscape architect Ellen Shipman designed the original Ladies' Border, which was completed in 1933. In 2001 Lynden B. Miller, public garden designer and NYBG Trustee, reimagined this border with unusual trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, many of which had never before been grown outdoors at NYBG.
The border's protected, South-facing site and combination of sun and shade make it an ideal place to experiment with plants not usually considered hardy in the New York area. Trees and shrubs were selected for stunning foliage and flowers during all four seasons. Camellias have evergreen leaves and flower in fall, late winter, and early spring. Crape-myrtles have beautiful bark in winter and bright midsummer flower clusters. Adonis, windflowers, Peruvian-lilies, pineapple-lilies,
this page online
The restoration of the historic Ladies' border is made possible by a gift in celebration of Tracy White's marriage to Lakshman Achuthan on May 19, 2001.
Erected by New York Botanical Garden.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is May 19, 2001.
Location. 40° 51.801′ N, 73° 52.855′ W. Marker is in Bronx, New York, in Bronx County. It is in New York Botanical Garden. It can be reached from the intersection of Southern Boulevard and Xavier Way, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx NY 10458, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Nancy Bryan Luce Herb Garden (a few steps from this marker); History of Conifers (within shouting distance of this marker); Jane Watson Irwin Perennial Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Matelich Anniversary Peony Collection (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Jane Watson Irwin Perennial Garden (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Leon Levy Visitor Center (about 300 feet away); A Landmark Destination (about 300 feet away); Arthur and Janet Ross Conifer Arboretum (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bronx.
Additional keywords. landscape architecture
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 7, 2025
3. Ladies' Border Dedication
The restoration of the historic Ladies' Border is made possible by a gift in celebration of Tracy White's marriage to Lakshman Achuthan on May 19, 2001.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 126 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 16, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
