A high-tech, elevated park showcasing horticulture designs by renowned architects now stands as a striking icon in New York City.
Little Island: A Floating Oasis in the Heart of New York City
Little Island, a 2.4-acre floating park located on the Hudson River in New York City, has become a vibrant urban green space that seamlessly blends architecture with horticulture. Designed by Heatherwick Studio, the park offers a diverse, lush plant palette that emphasizes naturalistic, wild planting principles and a seasonally changing color palette, known as 'bloom sweep'.
Over a ten-month period starting in March 2020, tens of thousands of plants were planted, including 249 species of perennials, 83 species of grasses, 80 species of shrubs, 60 species of bulbs, and 42 species of trees. These plants, carefully chosen for their ability to thrive in the park's unique environment, offer both greenery and seasonal bloom.
The park's design includes native and non-native plants that provide well-considered habitat niches and food sources for wildlife. One of the most striking features of Little Island's landscaping is the Northwest Overlook, where rich-red Crocosmia 'Lucifer' and bright-orange Helenium autumnale 'Adios' create a stunning visual spectacle. Meanwhile, the Moon Garden, located in the southeast quadrant, is filled with only white plants, creating a serene and ethereal atmosphere.
Signe Nielsen, the principal founder of MNLA, is the mind behind Little Island's landscaping. Signe's favorite area is the Southwest Overlook, also known as 'Signe's mountain', which is the highest point in the park and offers stunning views over the Hudson River. The park's head of horticulture, Orrin Sheehan, and his team are responsible for maintaining the lush sanctuary. They interact with many visitors who flock to the park to learn more about the planting.
While the specific seasonal color palette and plant list for Little Island are not detailed explicitly, the park's planting can be characterized by a diverse, lush plant palette designed for varied seasonal interest. Integration of wild, naturalistic planting principles alongside architectural design is another key feature. The overall color palette shifts naturally with the seasons, likely featuring spring and summer blooms, autumn foliage, and winter textures.
For an exact seasonal color palette and comprehensive plant list, sources like Heatherwick Studio’s official publications or detailed planting plans from New York City Parks (if publicly available) would need to be consulted, as these details are not present in the provided search results.
Little Island, once the site of three old Chelsea Piers and the departure point for the RMS Titanic in the early 20th century, has been transformed into a thriving public park and arts venue. Its innovative design, lush greenery, and seasonal shifts make it a must-visit destination for New York City residents and visitors alike.
- The diverse plantpalette in Little Island, a floating park in New York City, emphasizes naturalistic, wild planting principles and a seasonally changing color palette, known as 'bloom sweep'.
- Signe Nielsen, the principal founder of MNLA, is responsible for Little Island's landscaping, favoring the Southwest Overlook, also known as 'Signe's mountain'.
- The park's head of horticulture, Orrin Sheehan, and his team maintain the lush sanctuary, interacting with visitors who flock to learn more about the planting.
- Little Island's innovative design, lush greenery, and seasonal shifts make it a must-visit destination for New York City residents and visitors alike, offering both greenery and seasonal bloom.
