George Eastman House Blog

As the harbingers of spring, the winter aconites (Eranthus hyemalis) under the beech in the Front Lawn begin to loose their yellow color and the very last of the snow piles disappears from the parking lot, the gardening season is under full swing at George Eastman House.

The Christmas rose (Helleborus niger), a bit of a misnomer in our growing zone, is in full bloom under the fothergillas and tree peonies in the West Garden.

Tucked in the southwest corner near the steps into the West Garden is the earliest blooming rhododendron on site, the Korean rhododendron (Rhododendron muconulaum) whose pink flower buds are showing color.

There are Siberian squills popping up everywhere, in the lawns and many of the beds and borders. The first daffodil opened in the Terrace Garden on April 8.

The fern-leafed peony (Paeonia tenufolia) and oriental poppies (Papaver orientale) seem to grow inches each sunny warm day.

Garden Tours officially start in May and run through September, Tuesday–Saturday, 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m. If you are a Museum Member, see what’s in bloom on the members’ monthly In the Garden tours from May through September, including May 24 and June 28.

Spring is near, and new things are popping up all over the museum. Eastman House’s spring exhibition Larry Towell: The World from My Front Porch is currently on view through June 15. Below are some shots of this multi-media exhibition that presents a retrospective of work by the photographer Larry Towell, featuring photographs, writings, and audio recordings of original spoken words and music performances.

 
The view from Eastman House’s front porch is changing as well. Most noticeably is the I Know It Happened And It Happened Like This installation by artist Heather Layton. In conjunction with Eastman House’s Loss/Hope exhibition series, this monument is founded on the idea that we, as citizens, are equally responsible for the welfare of an entire community, not just the issues that directly affect us as individuals. All of the items have been donated by members of the Rochester community. Visitors continue to add to the pile throughout the installation. Below are a few views of the monument.

 
Winter aconite are also appearing on Eastman House’s front lawn under the great beech tree – an early sign of spring.

Today George Eastman House is being transformed into a tropical escape for the Museum’s annual exhibition The Dutch Connection: George Eastman’s Conservatory in Bloom. On view February 8-23, the exhibition features more than 2,000 tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, freesias, and amaryllis in vivid colors. Continue Reading »