The Center Magazine
Subscribe
Back to Stories

A Channel Gardens #TBT

By The Center Magazine StaffApr 22 2021
Arts & Culture
Share
Link copied to clipboard
Topics
Arts & Culture
Visiting Rock Center? Include Top of the Rock in your plans. Purchase your tickets online today!
Buy Tickets
Related Articles
Events
09.19.23

What to Do in New York City in October 2023

Events
Sep 19 2023

What to Do in New York City in October 2023

Food & Drinks
Sep 15 2023

An Insider’s Guide to The Tipsy Baker, A Bakery and Bar Concept at Rockefeller Center

Nothing at Rockefeller Center quite beats the view from Fifth Avenue through to 30 Rock. But the promenade itself is worth celebrating—because for decades, the Channel Gardens have hosted themed installations ranging from Easter lilies to greenhouses. For this Earth Day, we dug into the Rockefeller Center archives to unearth some of these memorable botanical installations.

Rockefeller Center’s Victory Garden—one of many planted during World War II—features red cabbage, parsley, broccoli, onions, Swiss chard, carrots, and more in the Channel Gardens.

On April 9, 1950, Irene Ann Bell touches a display of Easter lilies and yellow tulips in the Channel Gardens—one of seven displays featuring flower bulbs from the Netherlands.

On June 27, 1968, a Hawaiian Garden, sponsored by the Garden Club of Honolulu and the Hawaii Visitors Bureau, features hales, tikis, tree ferns, feather kahilis, and more.

On April 9, 1970, Rockefeller Center employees Colette O’Mahony (left) and Eileen McGrath (right) dress up in historical fashions to celebrate the opening of a garden honoring the 100th anniversary of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s charter.

In 2013, colorful flowers filled the gardens for the Mums the Word installation.

In 2015, the Channel Gardens became a warm-weather paradise with the Tropicale installation. The dragonfly even appeared in legendary photographer Bill Cunningham’s On the Street column.

On May 4, 2016, visitors sit among the Spring Splendor installation, surrounded by exotic floral arrangements and decorative shrubbery.

The current spring installation in the Channel Gardens, designed by Brooklyn-based Future Green Studio, features more than 500 white and pink Easter lilies and more than 1,000 tulips in five different colors, as well as daffodils, Spanish bluebells, hyacinths, English daisies, and pansies.

The Channel Gardens, located between Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Plaza, is free to visit and open to the public every day.

Share
Link copied to clipboard
Back to all Stories
Topics
Recent
  • EventsSep 19 2023
    EventsSep 19 2023

    What to Do in New York City in October 2023

  • Food & DrinksSep 15 2023
    Food & DrinksSep 15 2023

    An Insider’s Guide to The Tipsy Baker, A Bakery and Bar Concept at Rockefeller Center

The Center Newsletter

Receive important seasonal news and updates, learn about store openings, and get special offers.

Learn More

How was your view from Top of the Rock? Share your experience!

Loading...

Sign up for our newsletter

Subscribe Now

Follow Us

Download the free Audio Tour

Stay Connected

Stay connected with free Wi-Fi at Rockefeller Center.
@Rock Center Free Wi-Fi

  • Top of the Rock
  • Learn More about Top of the Rock
    Buy Tickets about Top of the Rock

  • Plan Your Visit
  • Map & Directions
  • News & Updates
  • Contact Us
  • Gift Shop
  • FAQs
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Executive Team

45 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA NEW YORK, NY 10111
212.588.86011.877.NYC.ROCK
© Rockefeller Center 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED