One of the four arches in the Main Hall, decorated with boxwood, ivy, pinecones, hazelnuts, rosehips, and lady apples
«The Cloisters will be decorated through January 6 in celebration of the holiday season. Last year, we provided historical context for the designs and explained how our unique decorations are made using fresh plant materials associated with the medieval celebration of Christmastide, the twelve days between the Nativity and the Epiphany.»
This time-lapse video from last year condenses the work of six people over four hours.
The Cloisters' decorations include plants still used to celebrate Christmas today. Some of the elements literally grow on our doorstep, while others are supplied by growers we have long-established relationships with across the country. Visitors will find holly, ivy, boxwood, and evergreens, which symbolize eternal life, in many of our decorations.
Detail of the arch above the Postern Gate entrance, featuring beautiful English holly from a family farm in Oregon
Ivy is used in several decorations and is plentiful in the gardens and grounds as well. For many years, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation has kindly allowed us to collect the ivy leaves used in our decorations in Fort Tryon Park. Once gathered, each of the approximately two thousand ivy leaves are individually washed and inserted into water-filled floral picks. The staff was struck by just how many variations they found in the ivy leaves they collected this year.
An assortment of ivy leaves being prepared for use in the decorations. Photograph courtesy of the Gardens Department
The decorations are the work of many hands, and we hope many of our readers will be able to visit during the holidays to experience The Cloisters at this special time of year.
Detail of a Main Hall arch, with lady apples grown in New York State and ivy from Fort Tryon Park
Additional Reading
The Medieval Garden Enclosed: Posts related to Christmastide