Garvan Woodland Gardens Prepares for Spring With Workshops, Survival Camp, Art Exhibit

Garvan Woodland Gardens

A cherry tree blooms on the banks of the koi pond at Garvan Woodland Gardens.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – After being closed for the month of January, Garvan Woodland Gardens reopens this month with a full schedule of events and activities planned through winter and into spring.

The "Shiitake Mushroom Farming" workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 11 in the Magnolia Room. Dennis and Becky Denison will discuss the stages of growing and harvesting shiitake mushrooms. Participants will inoculate oak and sweet gum logs with mushroom spawn to create a habitat that can produce mushrooms for several years. All materials are provided.

The annual Daffodil Days and Tulip Extravaganza events celebrate the transition from winter to spring at Garvan Gardens. February typically brings the arrival of blooming crocus, daffodils and hyacinths. With the timing dependent on weather, next to emerge should be more than 150,000 Dutch tulips in brilliant hues. From mid-March through April, thousands of daffodils are expected to bloom, with azaleas and dogwoods also flowering. This display of spring color is the biggest between Memphis and Dallas. Up-to-date photos and peak bloom times can be found at the Garvan Gardens Facebook page.

The March Art Exhibit, called "Mixing It Up," will be on display 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 1-31 in the Magnolia Room. The show will feature work by artists Joyce Weaver, Sheliah Halderman and Linda Shearer. Halderman is noted for her pastel landscapes. Shearer will present traditional and contemporary landscape and nature scenes. Weaver works in watercolor and mixed media, and her pieces will include landscapes and abstracts.

The 101 Workshop "Botany Basics and Plant Taxonomy" will be held at 10 a.m. March 1 in the Magnolia Room. Rush Fentress, Garvan education director, will discuss the various plant classification systems, as well as the plant structures that are used to help identify and compare plant species.

"Keys to Good Pruning" with Janet Carson will take place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 7 in the Magnolia Room. During this informative workshop, Carson will explain the best methods and timing when it comes to pruning ornamental trees and shrubs, fruiting plants and vines.

"Do It Yourself!," presented by The Water Buffalo, will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 11 in the Magnolia Room, with a lunch break in between morning and afternoon sessions. Nolen Buffalo will show participants how to make homemade cheese, including chevre and farmhouse, from locally sourced goat milk. He then will discuss the process of making beer using grains and no additional extract sugars. Door prizes will be given away.

"Beauty and the Bride," the 2017 Hot Springs Bridal Expo, will take place from 1-4 p.m. March 12 at the Hamp Williams Building in downtown Hot Springs. This event, a joint presentation by Garvan Woodland Gardens, Arkansas Bride magazine, Hamp Williams Building and Signature Events, will allow participants to meet dozens of wedding vendors. A wedding package will be given away to one lucky bride the day of the expo.

"Advanced Health Hikes" will take place from 9-10 a.m. every Monday beginning March 13. Participants will meet beforehand in the Welcome Center. Sharon Turrentine will lead the three-mile hikes along various garden trails. Participants should wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy walking shoes.

"Mrs. Garvan's Tea" will be held at 3 p.m. March 14 in the Magnolia Room. This afternoon tea will feature a living history presentation of Verna Garvan, the garden's benefactress. Guests can enjoy traditional tea fare while being entertained by Susan Harper, who portrays Mrs. Garvan.

The 101 Workshop "Cut It Out: Cut Flower Gardening" will be held at noon March 14 in the Bonsai Education Center. Minnie Shelor, Garvan horticulture manager, will discuss the basics of cut flower gardening. She will discuss the flowers recommended for the local climate and ways to keep them fresh.

The "Bonsai for Beginners" workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to noon March 15 in the Bonsai Education Center. Brian Carlan, Garvan's horticulturist, will instruct beginner Bonsai gardeners on the art of growing a Japanese maple tree into a Bonsai tree. Participants will leave this hands-on class with a new plant and the skills to practice Bonsai gardening.

"Casual Health Walks" will take place at 9 a.m. every Wednesday starting March 15. Participants will meet in the Welcome Center. Dee Garrett, a local walking enthusiast, will lead walkers on a one- to two-mile hike throughout the gardens at a more relaxed pace. Participants should wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.

Local artist Suzie Burch will present the two-day "Making Mosaics" workshop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 20 and 21 in the Magnolia Room, with lunch breaks in between morning and afternoon sessions. This eco-friendly workshop will encourage students to upcylce materials often found at flea markets or yard sales to create beautiful works of mosaic art. Materials will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring any trinkets, stones or other small pieces to include in their finished works.

101 Workshop "Garden Railroads" will be held at 10 a.m. March 22 in the Magnolia Room. Murph Tetley and the GWG Train Gang will discuss model trains. They will present information about the costs and labor associated with constructing a garden railway. They'll also show model train setups found at other botanical gardens and arboretums around the globe. The presentation will conclude with a visit to the Sugg Train Garden.

Bob Byers, director of the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens, will present the workshop "Soils and Roses" from 2-6 p.m. March 23 in the Magnolia Room. This two-part workshop will concentrate on the necessity of healthy soil and the art of growing roses.

The "Lost & Found Wilderness Survival Camp" will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 23-25. Participants will meet each day at the Welcome Center. This three-day camp for students ages 8-12 will teach a variety of skills, such as wayfinding, compass skills, outdoor shelters, first aid, knot tying and fire building. On the last day, the campers' families are welcome to join and learn the skills. Teams also will compete in survival games.

The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Concert will take place at 3 p.m. March 26 in Anthony Chapel. The group, conducted by Philip Mann, returns to Garvan Gardens for the fifth year. The 2017 program includes Britten's "Simple Symphony" and Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf." Tickets can only be purchased by calling the Garvan Gardens office on weekdays.

The "Art & Wine Workshop" by Dee Garrett will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 31 in the Magnolia Room. Garrett, a local artist, will present acrylic painting techniques in this popular beginner-level workshop. With a focus on florals, participants will take inspiration from whatever happens to be blooming at Garvan Gardens. Participants also may enjoy complimentary wine and cheese while creating their artwork on an 8-by-8-inch canvas. Participants must be at least 21.

Garvan Woodland Gardens is the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas and part of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. The garden is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12 and free for children ages 3 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.