I know it’s almost the end of summer; we’ll soon be thinking about Halloween costumes, Christmas ornaments, and ulimately February escape plans (or fantasies). But right now on the Northeast coast, there are some wild gems growing near the seaside that I wanted to explore and share, or to just document now to fondly remember in those freezing, dark February moments. My children and I are on a family vacation this week in a beautiful part of Cape Cod called Buzzard’s Bay. Massachusetts has my heart for so many reasons- college years and some sweet summers on Martha’s Vineyard being major ones. Polly Hill Arboretum on Martha’s Vineyard is the most naturally-beautiful place to take your children and explore a plethora of plants, flowers, and trees. Plus, the staff is incredible, and you can picnic freely while seeing the turkey family stroll around. Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard are only a few hours away from New York City and all the chaos, grime, and calamity that the Tri-State area can represent, especially with kids in tow. The quaint, trapped-in-time, simplicity of the Cape is a welcome relief for us at this time of year. Needless to say, it’s a world away from our lives in an old Bed Stuy walk-up. Here are two books that can be super as Northeastern coastal bouquet-picking companions,or just to have on their own for browsing through on your city’s book shelf (In these cases, you can judge a book by its cover; they’re so charming!):
Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide and the Peterson Field Guides’ Wildflowers (Northeastern Northeastern, North-Central and North America edition). If you are in New York City and can’t get away, I highly suggest spending some time in the next few weeks at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, in Broad Channel, Queens. Not only does this place rock, but they have tours, public transportation to and from, and areas for picnicking. It’s great for children and their gift shop and field study area is terrific. Fort Tilden Beach is also a fave. My personal natural hideaway is Prospect Park, where many of these plants are found as well. As a lover of all things flowery and woodsy, I wanted to explore some of the best that we’ve seen (and picked) around here and share it with you. Remember though, if there are leaves of three- let them be! Poison Ivy is no joke; I got some on my foot a few weeks ago but that’s another article. All within half a mile yesterday, we made a couple of glorious bouquets.
Making bouquets of any growing plant, including city weeds, is a great way to soak in the environment around us with appreciation and wonder. And, at dinnertime, it’s a good conversation piece right in the middle of the table. Also, these wildflowers make for great pressing material in heavy books. Go ahead, try it anywhere you are!
Rebecca Conroy is an artist, stylist, and Editor of A Child Grows in Brooklyn. She is from New York City, and has an MFA from Columbia University in screenwriting. Rebecca often finds herself on film and photography sets making things run or look better, and is the mom of two outrageously wonderful kids.
Photo by Andy Quickenden-Smtih