The Beauty of "Kiku": Japanese Chrysanthemums at the New York Botanical Garden

Ozukuri, a hillock of hundreds of perfectly spaced chrysanthemum blossoms from a single plant.

Kengai–or “cascade” kiku–relies on a single cutting to create a web of many smaller branches

Japanese chrysanthemums are in full bloom in an intimate exhibition in the Nolen Greenhouses' Bourke-Sullivan Display House, a wing of the Nolen Greenhouses for Living Collections at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. On display are hundreds of intricately trained chrysanthemums in both modern and ancient styles, including Ozukuri (thousand blooms), Kengai (cascade), and Ogiku (single stem). Newer stylistic interpretations include a bridge, pom poms, spirals, columns, a chrysanthemum house, and a sculpted chrysanthemum tree. The exhibit continues through Sunday, November 18.

Autumn Foliage at the New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden is a museum of plants, an educational institution, and a scientific research organization. It was founded in 1891 and is now a national historic landmark. At the heart of the garden are 50 acres of virgin woodlands which represent the last stretch of the original forest which covered all of New York City before the arrival of European settlers. During the fall, the garden displays enchanting autumnal colors like those captured in the images above.

Nature-Inspired Sculptures by Manolo Valdés on Exhibit in the Bronx

"Ivy" (2012)

"Butterflies" (2012)

"Fiore" (2012)

Currently on exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx are monumental sculptures created by Spanish artist, Manolo Valdés. The sculptures were inspired by the natural landscape of the garden. The exhibit includes Fiore, a 17-foot-high bronze and steel work inspired by oak and maple trees; Butterflies, a 50-foot-wide aluminum piece; and Ivy, a 15-foot-tall aluminum structure reminiscent of palm leaves. The artist created seven monumental, sculptural heads specifically for this exhibition. The sculptures prominently feature headdresses inspired by ferns, oak and maple leaves, windblown palms, and butterflies. The exhibition runs through May 26, 2013.

Haunted Pumpkin Garden at the New York Botanical Garden

The works of pumpkin artist Michael Natiello and American sculptor Ray Villafane are featured in "The Haunted Pumpkin Garden" currently on exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. On display at the garden are whimsical pumpkin sculptures of spooky scarecrows, spiders, snakes, bugs, insects, flowers and mushrooms in the Everett Children's Adventure Garden. This year's master pumpkin carver is Ray Villafane, an American sculptor based in Arizona. He is best known for his 3-D style pumpkin carvings including those pictured above.