Sunflowers, Van Gogh: NYBG marries two favorites

From May 24 through October 26, 2025, visitors to the New York Botanical Garden get to witness their new exhibit, "Van Gogh's Flowers."

"Van Gogh's Flowers" will be a sunflower explosion. The varieties and sizes of sunflowers will be eye-popping with 32 different varieties ranging from a four-foot tall flower to a gigantic 12 foot inch stunner that is wilder. This team knows how to put on a show.

Overall, there will be 18,000 plants on display with over 300 species and cultivars. According to the New York Times, 95 percent of the sunflowers will be grown by seed or seedling, a process that began last summer in the Nolen Greenhouses, which are closed to the public. ProCut sunflowers proved to be the best ones to easily germinate – especially. since the flowers had to bloom before its normal bloom in the summer months.

Along with the live flowers, since the Dutch painter who died in 1890 also loved the iris, there will be other flowers to enjoy. There will also be contemporary art and botanical displays. Some of the artists include Lee Baker and Catherine Borowski of Graphic Rewilding, sculptor Amie Jacobsen, and immersive artist Cyril Lancelin, who saw Van Gogh's inspiration growing up in France.

Among the must-sees is a field of real and sculptural sunflowers in which visitors can wander through a sea of yellow blooms.

Complementary daytime programming on select dates during Van Gogh's Flowers will offer interactive experiences, such as "Plein Air Drop-In and Paint," designed to "spark" NYBG visitors' imaginations.

Furthermore, since Legos are all the rage, you guessed it. During opening weekend, a flower truck blooming with the LEGO Botanicals collection on display—is there for families to enjoy and spark their creativity.

Van Gogh is culturally so popular. A few years ago, there was a Paris Atelier des Lumières's show interpreting his work. Now it is the horticultural teams at this extraordinary laboratory doing their performance.

Other considerations included the seasonal aspect of the flowers. For example, delphiniums and carnations on display in the conservatory will be swapped with zinnias and chrysanthemums later in the summer.

On select dates, says NYBG, Starry Nights will offer exhibition viewing in the glow of evening, with music and performers, drinks and food available for purchase, and, conditions-permitting, after-dark Van Gogh-themed drone shows.

Vincent Van Gogh after all looked at the sunflower as a special source of inspiration. "I find comfort in contemplating the sunflowers," the Dutch painter said. As time moved on during his lifetime in the late 1800's, he realized his special connection. As he said, "The sunflower in mine, in a way."

Going to this exhibit allows the experience of sunflowers to be yours too while getting to observe nature as he once did in the fields of Provence.