July Brings Gardening Workshops, Children's Activities to Garvan Woodland Gardens

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This bee, a pollinator, is hard at work on this purple coneflower (echinacea) at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — The summer solstice has arrived, and with it comes warmer weather, gardening galore and a wizard-themed tea for children. Here is a look at what is in store at Garvan Woodland Gardens in July.

The "Brush Strokes" art exhibit will be on display from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 1-31 in the Magnolia Room. The annual exhibit from Brush Strokes, a Hot Springs Village fine arts group, will feature many artists' paintings that emphasize the wonder of nature.

Whether visitors helped their grandparents with a home garden or have learned by making their own, gardening expert Janet Carson's workshop, "Gardening with Heirlooms," is the place to be from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 13 in the Magnolia Room. Carson will show visitors how to create the best Southern garden from locally adapted, hardy, old-fashioned plants and vegetables.

Children can also get a taste of the magic created by a nice garden this summer with a fairy- and wizards-themed tea party. Starting at 3 p.m. July 14 in the Magnolia Room, little fairies and wizards are the honored guests at the traditional English-style teatime. The afternoon will be filled with assorted finger sandwiches, scone and other sweets, all served with a variety of hot teas. The garden's house Tea Fairy will present proper tea etiquette, followed by a fantasy-filled story time.

If tea does not fit young visitors' fancy, a beading camp will be held from July 15-17 in the Magnolia Room. "Baubles and Beads" will be held from 9 a.m. to noon for ages 6-9 and from 1-4 p.m. for ages 10-15. Artist Lynn Harris will teach young visitors the basics of jewelry making, such as necklaces and earrings, as well as macramé and dream catchers. All art supplies and a snack are included for each day.

As part of the Gardening 101 workshops, "Herbal Gifts and Seasonal Décor" will be held from 1:30-3:30 p.m. July 19 in the Magnolia Room. Herbalist Cindy Faulk will demonstrate how to make a Surprise Ball, a festive piñata filled with living and dried herbs. Participants will leave with their own whimsical crafts after this hands-on afternoon. All supplies are provided.

Another Gardening 101 workshop, "Adenium, Anyone? Gardening on the Dry Side," will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon July 24 in the Magnolia Room. In this workshop, Mike Rabourn, a member of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America, will share years of knowledge and experience with these low-maintenance plants. He will show visitors a new side to succulents, including adenium, lithops and haworthia.

The month's final Gardening 101 workshop is "Less is More! Secrets of Keyhole Gardening," held from 1-2:30 p.m. July 24 in the Magnolia Room. Aaron Harding, of Texas A&M University and Whippoorwill Gardens Nursery, will show visitors how keyhole gardening includes less work and less water than typical gardening.

For the chef of the family, "Gourmet on a Budget," part of the Culinary Series, will be held from 1:30-3:30 p.m. July 26 at Millsap Bride's Hall. Mike Tripp of Rosemary Hill Herb Farm will demonstrate the art of using herbs to make an affordable meal. Debbie Tripp, also with Rosemary Hill Farm, will offer information about growing herbs and will sell starter pots of the herbs used in the food demonstration. Participants should bring an apron to properly enjoy this hands-on experience. The menu includes salad greens with herb vinaigrette; marinated herbal steak with wine reduction; tarragon-chive deviled eggs; pan-roasted herbed new potatoes; broiled homemade French bread with herb butter; and lemon verbena dessert pinwheels.

The display of "Mystic Creatures: Topiary Art Takes Flight" continues, featuring six giant Mosaiculture topiary figures - plants in mosaic-like patterns on metal superstructures - scattered throughout the garden. Each figure was created by the garden's artisan welders to fit its designated site and to bring out a sense of imagination and enchantment with the wonder of deep forests and gardens. The 2014 exhibit attracted a record number of visitors to the garden, which makes the 2015 Topiary Art Takes Flight a must-see event. The display is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Aug. 31.

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 $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for children ages 5 and younger. Some events and activities are free. 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.