Fall Heralded With Chrysanthemum Blooms at Garvan Woodland Gardens

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More than 8,000 chrysanthemums will welcome visitors to Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs in October.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs welcomes fall with "Fall Flower Days," which will be celebrated through November. A rainbow of colors and shapes are offered from just one type of plant: the chrysanthemum. The blooms last for weeks, not days, and volunteers and staff gardeners have planted more than 8,000 mums in an array of colors and bloom shapes.

In addition, there are hundreds of asters, pansies, violas, million bells and petunias, plus the ornamental chard and mustards. This flower display is just one of the many events happening in October at Garvan Woodland Gardens.

The Traditional Art Guild Exhibit will be on display Tuesday through Oct. 31 in the Magnolia Room. The show will offer a fun and colorful array of works created in all types of mediums showcasing a variety of techniques. The guild, formed by a group of Hot Springs artists more than 40 years ago, aims to promote, influence and provide encouragement to artists through traditional arts.

This month's First Wednesday Children Program, "Dried Flower Garden Bookmarks," will be held from 10-11a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, in the Magnolia Room. The workshop will explore the variables – humidity, temperature, airflow, and flower type – that can affect different techniques for drying flowers. Participants, ages 3 through 12, will learn flower-preserving techniques to try at home and make a garden bookmark of their own. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Alzheimer's Arkansas Walk for a Cure will be held from 7-9 a.m. Oct. 12 at the Garvan Woodland Gardens Trails. The largest family and corporate teams, as well as the individual, family team and corporate team raising the most money, win prizes. Anyone interested in forming a team or volunteering to assist with the walk may contract Tammy Smith at (501) 224-0021 or (800) 689-6090 or tammysmith@alzark.org.

The two Gardening 101 Workshops will be held on Oct. 18 in the Magnolia Room. The first one, "Creating Interest with Green Plants," will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Jim Shults, of Shults Greenhouse in Hot Springs, will discuss how to create interest in the garden by using different textures, shapes and shades of plants. After the presentation, a stroll in the garden will demonstrate many examples.

The second workshop, "Fall Color From Shrubs," will be held from 1-3p.m. The fall is a perfect time to plant shrubs, which can provide color, texture and four-season interest. Beth Phelps, Pulaski County Extension Agent, will discuss popular and easy-to-grow shrubs that will produce beautiful fall color in home landscapes.

The Special Artist Series will present "Garden Mosaics" from 1-5 p.m. Oct. 19 in the Magnolia Room. Kandy Jones returns to the garden with her hands-on mosaics class. She will teach how to create colorful mosaic home accent pieces or unique garden art using old dishes, tiles, glass, old jewelry, marbles, and fun found objects. Lunch will not be provided, so participants should bring a lunch or have lunch from the garden's Chipmunk Café. Class size is limited.

"Pysanky at the Gardens," held Oct. 25-28, will celebrate an ancient and beautiful folk art form from Ukraine. Masters of Pysanky (Ukrainian Easter Eggs) from as far away as Nova Scotia and Japan will join their American counterparts from more than 20 states for a retreat at the garden. The pieces are made on eggshells with dyes through a lost wax (batik) process. Colorful eggs in thousands of traditional and contemporary patterns will be on display. Visitors are welcome to watch the artists as they work. Some finished pieces will be available for purchase, ranging in price from $25 to $1,000, depending on size and difficulty.

Two of the garden's most avid walkers continue to lead weekly, guided health walks in the garden. Sharon Turrentine, a local fitness fan and regular performer in Anthony Chapel, will lead a three-mile walk at 9 a.m. on Mondays. Paula Wallace, a staff member at the garden, will lead a one-mile walk at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays. Participants can meet at the Welcome Center. They should wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy walking shoes.

Kathy Packard, from the Oaklawn Center on Aging, will guide "Garden Tai Chi" from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Oct. 3-31, on the Edmondson Great Lawn. Her class focuses on the art of Tai Chi, which can help relieve stress, strengthen muscles and improve balance. Participants should wear loose, comfortable clothing and soft shoes, or be barefoot. Contact the Oaklawn Center for the Aging at 501-623-0020 to enroll.

Garvan Woodland Gardens is the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas.

The garden is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12, free for children ages 5 and younger, and $5 for dogs. Some events and activities are free. Some require a fee, advanced registration or prepayment.

For more information about these events or to check on what's blooming, call 501-262-9300 or 800-366-4664.