Perennial Border

Along the east side of Lily Pool Terrace is a diverse collection of more than a hundred species of herbaceous plants, flowering shrubs, and small trees.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden's perennial border exemplifies an exuberant American style arising from the great tradition of European mixed borders. Original designer Conni Cross combined trees and shrubs with a diverse palette of herbaceous perennials and bulbs suited to Brooklyn's climate. Over the years, the garden has evolved as the larger plants have grown and created dappled patches of shade, and flowering perennials have spread to form a lush border that blooms from early spring through late fall.

The border stretches approximately 300 feet along the facades of the education greenhouses and Palm House to the Steinhardt Conservatory—the entire length of Lily Pool Terrace. It is divided into plots, with herringbone-pattern brick walkways that permit viewing from all sides.

Cayleb Long

Cayleb Long is the curator of Lily Pool Terrace, including the Annual and Perennial Borders, and Judith D. Zuk Magnolia Plaza. As a native Oregonian, Cayleb developed a passion for northwestern wildflowers and other native plants while living and traveling in the region. Upon moving to New York in 2001, Cayleb began a successful business designing and installing gardens in the city. He made the transition to public horticulture in 2006 when he joined the staff at Brooklyn Botanic Garden as a Horticulture intern. He earned a certificate in horticulture from BBG and worked as an assistant gardener before taking his current position in 2008. Cayleb has studied at BBG, NYBG, and around the country and has developed gardens in New York, Oregon, Michigan, and Florida. His interests lie in organic gardening, sustainable ecologies, and the farm-to-table movement. Cayleb also teaches the Herbaceous Plant Identification course for BBG's Horticulture Certificate Program.