Unique Workshops, Health Walks and Fall Colors Among October Events at Garvan Gardens

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Pumpkins and chrysanthemums are part of the fall decor at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – October brings with it an array of color at Garvan Woodland Gardens, with the vibrancy of the Japanese maples and the glow of the entire hardwood forest. Thousands of radiant annuals and perennials, including the garden’s annual chrysanthemum fest, also are part of this year’s “Fall in the Woodlands,” available to visitors from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily throughout the month.

In addition, the works of artist Bob Crane will be exhibited for the month of October. The exhibit will showcase a collection of his oil paintings and will be available for viewing from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Magnolia Room.

In a Gardening 101 class titled “MumBling: Chrysanthemums in Your Garden,” Bob Byers, associate executive director, will share tips on how to grow all classes and varieties of mums for a months-long show of color. Attendees will also learn the history of chrysanthemums from ancient China to medieval Japan and modern America. This class will be taught from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 6 in the Magnolia Room. Directly following this class, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Advanced Master Gardener Gene Lichliter will teach a Gardening 101 class, titled “Sassy Grasses!” Lichliter will share his knowledge of and enthusiasm for using ornamental grasses in landscape. There will be an overview on the types of grasses used locally, as well as information for proper planting and maintenance.

Children ages 5-12 can play in the soil during “Compost! Wednesday Children’s Walk-In Program” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 8 at the Weyerhaeuser Bonsai Center. Children and their parents will learn the basics of soil and how millions of tiny organisms transform forest debris into one of nature’s richest and most incredible substances: compost.

An Artisan Series workshop, titled “Hypertufa, the Basics and Beyond,” will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 18 in the Railroad Garden Deck at Welcome Center. Expert Kandy Jones will discuss using simple recipes, mixing hypertufa to a proper consistency, the basics of hand building, mold usage and adding decorative materials. Students can learn about textures, techniques and the use of armatures.

A Naturalist Series workshop, “Masque! Masks Using Nature’s Materials,” will tell the story of how All Hallows Eve, an agricultural celebration, became a religious holy day and then a modern holiday, and how masks became part of the season’s traditional lore. Students will learn techniques on creating masks using leaves, grasses and other collected natural materials from the gardens, over a specially made base. Naturalist Roxana Rose will examine one of Arkansas’ finest collections of natural-material masks, on loan from Hot Springs’ own Davis Tillman for this special program. The workshop will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 in the Weyerhaeuser Bonsai Center.

Hobbyists and professionals from all over the United States and several foreign countries will come together in creating spectacular Ukrainian Easter eggs for the “Pysanky in the Gardens” workshop. These artists use one of the world’s oldest techniques for creating lost wax (batik) designs. The eggs are covered in intricate designs that emerge as patterns “written” in wax that are then removed to reveal jewel-toned dyes underneath. Attendees will learn how to make their own pysanky at the event, which takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Oct. 25-27 in the Magnolia Room. Displays of pysanky masterpieces by some of the world’s most accomplished practitioners will be available to view, and several eggs also will be available for sale, ranging in price from $15 to $1,000.

Participants in the “Garland County Trash Bash at the Gardens” can help the community while having fun. This clean-up event for the whole family will begin at 8 a.m. Oct. 4 at various area check-in locations. After the cleanup is done, attendees will trade their trash for tickets and move to the Klipsch Amphitheater, where the trash bash will take place from 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Attendees will receive a free Trash Bash T-shirt, barbecue lunch, and admission to the gardens for that day only. Contact the gardens for the specific check-in locations available.

Guided health and fitness group walks will allow participants to admire the acres of colorful seasonal plantings and scenic views while getting regular exercise. Through the month of October, the intermediate fitness level hike (3 miles) will take place Mondays at 9 a.m., and the beginner fitness level hike (1 mile) will take place Tuesdays at 9 a.m. Good walking shoes and weather-appropriate attire are recommended.

In a health series called “Tai Chi in the Gardens,” Kathy Packard of the Oaklawn Center on Aging will teach the practice of Tai Chi. This exercise is an ancient low-impact, safe method for staying flexible and toned. Starting Oct. 9, classes will be held Thursdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on the Great Lawn. In the case of rain, the classes will be moved to Garvan Pavilion.

In addition, Packard continues her eight-session health series called “A Matter of Balance.” She will instruct attendees on simple exercises and techniques to improve balance. She also will teach the basics of why balance and muscle tone change with age and what can be done about it. Classes, which started in September, will continue through Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays in Millsap Bride’s Hall.

The price of golf cart tours recently increased to $15 per person, in addition to regular admission. These rides are served on a first-come, first-served basis, with no reservations. They are offered every day 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the last tour is sold at 4:30 p.m. each day.

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, while some require a fee, advanced registration or prepayment.

For more information about these events or to check on upcoming events, call (501) 262-9300 or (800) 366-4664.