(Earlier this week we received a flowerbox award nomination (we love these!) via text message. Sadly, there was no photo, and only a small description. On Tuesday, we appealed to you all, our readers, for help. And boy did we get it.
Last night we received forty photographs and the following story (edited down a bit for the sake of space) from our reader/writer, Matt. skgr)
On a walk across 121st street from the east side. I enjoyed seeing some of my favorite summer sights, including a 'free car wash' that everyone was slowing down for and enjoying. I snapped a few shots of other flowerboxes along the way and couldn't help but notice how much green there was to see.
Flowers and plants peek out of alleyways, on fire escapes, and are cascading down so many brownstone facades in Harlem.
When I reached 104 W. 121st street, it was obvious to see why someone nominated it for its beautiful flower display. The owner of the building is Donald Marquez - I know this because his son, Dard, greeted me from the front stairs as if he had been expecting me to drop by. He immediately let me know that his father is responsible for the family's flowerboxes.
Suddenly, I found myself being brought on a whirlwind house tour. Dard took me through every floor of their beautiful brownstone.
Although the facade is what brought me to 104 W. 121st street, the inhabitants and the inside of the house spoke volumes. And although this was to have been for the flowerboxes, which cascade down the outside and beautify this neighborhood beyond words, the Marquez family deserves an award for their graciousness. Not only do they preserve a historic home, they also preserve a hospitality that I hope never dies away from close neighborhoods.
Thank you for sharing your space with us, Marquez family! MN
(And thank you Matt for sharing your experience on the Flowerbox Award beat with us!
As promised, Matt will be receiving one very handsome Apartment Therapy Hat in the mail from us. As will the Marquez family.)
Oooh, what's that green ivy-looking plant flowing from the window boxes? It seems to hang too straight to be regular ivy but I can't ID it.
it looks like seaweed!
LOVE IT!
Maybe a trailing dichondra?
Here's a silver one:
www.avantgardensne.com/dicarg
they also come in green.
Hello,
I think it is actually a vinca vine. It is very popular in the brownstone flowerboxes because it does look so great hanging down. It does well in a cooler climate like ours and does well in partial sun/shade.
Sorry about the address confusion - it is 104 WEST 121st street. I was walking from the east, and it just was stuck in my head.
And the free car wash I was referring to was a broken fire hydrant. All cars slow down and get a good wash, even Mr. Softie drove extra slow so that he could get a good cleaning. It's nice to see the water at least get some use, rather than be a 100 percent waste...