Peter Van de Wetering
Peter Van de Wetering | |
|---|---|
 Tulips along Park Avenue in 2016. Thousands of tulips and other flowers have been planted annually along Park Avenue by Van de Wetering's nursery since 1959. | |
| Born | July 6, 1931 Naaldwijk, South Holland, Netherlands |
| Died | May 28, 2014 (aged 82) Riverhead, New York, United States |
| Nationality | Dutch-American |
| Occupation(s) | Horticulturist, Nurseryman |
| Known for | Landscaping Park Avenue, New York |
| Spouse | Joyce Van Steekelenburg (m. 1965) |
| Children | Marion, Anton, Karen Gravagna |
Peter Van de Wetering (July 6, 1931 – May 28, 2014) was a
Biography
Early life
He was born in
Van de Wetering was hired by a nursery owner from
United Nations Plaza and Park Avenue
In 1958, Van de Wetering was commissioned by the
In 1959, one year as receiving the United Nations' job, Van de Wetering was commissioned by the city of New York to plant tulips and landscape the centers malls on Park Avenue.[1][2] The commission, which focused on a half-mile section of Park Avenue from 54th Street to 86th Street, became the focus of much of Van de Wetering's professional career for more than 50 years, from 1959 to the 2010s.[2]
Van de Wetering worked as Park Avenue's main gardener, planting his trademark tulips for the city throughout the 1960s. In the 1970s,
In 1980, the Fund for Park Avenue, took over responsibility for the maintenance and funding of Park Avenue's landscaping.[2] Van de Wetering and the Fund worked on Park Avenue's flowers and landscaping for more than thirty years. The Fund for Park Avenue made the choice of tulip colors and themes each year based on Van de Wetering's recommendations.[2] Van de Wetering and his gardeners replaced the bulbs each year.[2] His responsibilities for Park Avenue expanded over the years from tulips to include year-round landscaping.[2] He grew more than 30,000 begonias, which replaced the tulips once they have finished flowering, at the Van de Wetering Greenhouses in Jamesport.[2] He and his greenhouse became responsible for each season ranging from tulips and cherry trees in the spring to lit pine trees during the holidays and winter.[2] The business became a family operation. His son, Anton Van de Wetering, became Vice President, while daughters Marion and Karen helped found the business and took prominent roles in the day-to-day operations.[1][2]
Peter Van de Wetering, a longtime resident of