More Blooms, Workshops, Boat Show and 'Farm-to-Table' Event Planned at Garvan Gardens in April

Garvan Woodland Gardens

Azaleas bloom near the Joy Manning Scott Bridge of the Full Moon, considered the focal point of the Garden of the Pine Wind at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Garvan Woodland Gardens welcomes warmer weather with a host of activities and events throughout April. 

The annual Tulip Extravaganza will continue everyday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in April. Due to the warmer weather this winter, the tulips reached their peak in March. Through April, thousands of daffodils should bloom, with azaleas and dogwoods also flowering. This display of spring color is the biggest between Dallas and Memphis. Up-to-date photos and peak bloom times can be found at the Garvan Gardens Facebook page.

The April art exhibit "Arkansas Pastel Society" will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 1-30, in the Magnolia Room. This exhibit includes regional artists who work in soft or oil pastels. The show will demonstrate a variety of techniques portraying beautiful scenery and subjects in pastel.

The Antique Boat Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 8 on the Garvan Boat Dock. The Heartland Classics Antique Boat Show on Lake Hamilton will include a display of 15-25 antique boats. The boats' owners will be present to answer questions. A free shuttle to and from the docks will be provided on a limited basis.

The Sharon Turrentine Spring Concert will take place at 3 p.m. April 9 in the Anthony Chapel. This year, she will be joined by her niece, Courtney Guyon Haines, and her niece's husband, Ryan Haines. These three musicians will be joined by Jim Cotton on the keyboard.

A festive tea celebrating springtime in the garden will be held at 3 p.m. April 11 in the Magnolia Room. This event is served in the traditional English style tea with guests enjoying assorted scones, finger sandwiches and desserts, all accompanied by a variety of flavorful hot teas.

The 101 Workshop "Fanciful Fronds" will be held at 10 a.m. April 12 in the Magnolia Room and other areas of the garden. Yvonne Becker, a local Master Gardener and member of the Ouachita Hosta and Shade Plant Society, will discuss growing ferns in the rocky soil of central Arkansas. She'll present participants with photos and descriptions of her favorite ferns, including many ferns found at Garvan Gardens.

The Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design will present Design Camp in the Garden the week of June 19-23. Early registration for the camp ends April 14, at a cost of $200 for Garvan Gardens members or $300 for the general public. The cost increases by $50 for the regular registration period, which ends May 26. Need-based and partial scholarships are available. The camp is open to students going into ninth through 12th grades this fall. Design camp offers students the opportunity to learn through hands-on projects, tours, presentations and discussions led by architecture, landscape architecture and interior design faculty of the Fay Jones School. For more information, contact Judy Stone at jkstone@uark.edu or 479-575-2399.

The 101 Workshop "Arkansas Geology" will be held at 10 a.m. April 14 in the Magnolia Room. Walker MacPhee, a geologist, will present the history of the geology of Arkansas. He'll discuss the various geologic features present in today's landscape and the types of unique rocks and minerals that can be found in Arkansas.

The 101 Workshop "Wildly Attractive" will be held at noon April 18 in the Magnolia Room. Minnie Shelor, Garvan Gardens horticulturist and garden manager, will present reasonable ways to design a landscape to attract a variety of wildlife. She will focus on plants that provide food and shelter for the wildlife inhabiting central Arkansas.

The "Farm-To-Table Event" by Superior Bathhouse Brewery and JV Farms will take place from 6-8 p.m. April 20 in the Magnolia Room. This dinner event showcases the unique relationships formed when local businesses and producers work together to bring Arkansas-grown products to consumers. Guests will partake in a three-course meal with seasonal beer parings. Menu items will be sourced from local farms, with an emphasis on seasonally available vegetables and pork.

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.