Garvan Gardens Hosts Trail Run, Health Walks, Photography Exhibit and Workshops in September

Garvan Woodland Gardens

The azaleas are blooming again at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – September at Garvan Woodland Gardens brings activities such as health walks, a photography exhibit and workshops on knot tying, plant disease prevention and watercolor painting.

The September art exhibit, "America's Beauty," will be on display Sept. 1-30 in the Magnolia Room. This exhibit features photography by Tim Gorman, an Arkansas native. It includes a collection of photographic images from across America, from the Olympic Peninsula to the East Coast, as well as favorite Arkansas images. It will highlight national parks such as Glacier, Olympic, Bryce Canyon and Zion.

A "Group Trail Run" will take place at 5:45 p.m. every Tuesday from Sept. 5 through Oct. 31, starting in the parking lot. The garden's woodland trails provide 3- to 5-mile routes, with mild to moderate elevation changes. These weekly trail runs are open to runners of all levels.

A "Plant Diseases – Prevention and Remedies" workshop will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 7 in the Magnolia Room, with a break for lunch. Sherrie Smith, a plant pathologist, will present a survey of plant diseases, their causes and control methods. The workshop includes four sections: ornamental trees, roses, daylilies and tomatoes. Each section will include biotic and abiotic causes of disease, along with plant varieties that are resistant or susceptible.

The "Tai Chi Series: Strength in Motion" will take place from 1:30-2:30 p.m. every Thursday from Sept. 7 through Nov. 16 on the Great Lawn. The Oaklawn Center on Aging will teach this ancient, low-impact practice that helps to increase flexibility, balance and strength. Comfortable clothing and shoes are recommended.

"Casual Health Walks" will take place from 9-10 a.m. every Thursday from Sept. 7 through Nov. 16, starting in the Welcome Center. Dee Garret, a local hiking enthusiast, will lead participants on 1- to 2-mile hikes throughout the garden. The hikes will be at a conversational pace. Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and good walking shoes are recommended.

"Advanced Health Walks" will take place from 9-10 a.m. every Monday from Sept. 11 through Nov. 13, starting in the Welcome Center. Sharon Turrentine will lead participants on 3-mile hikes along various garden landscapes, with a different route taken each week. Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and good walking shoes are recommended.

The workshop "To Be or Knot to Be - Having Fun with Knots" will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 16 in the Magnolia Room. Colleen Iund, an outdoor enthusiast, will present this workshop, which will teach participants how to tie knots useful for camping. Participants will make a paracord survival bracelet. This workshop is geared toward children but open to all ages. All materials will be provided.

A "Hang Them Out to Dry: Xeriscaping Basics" workshop will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 19 in the Magnolia Room. Minnie Shelor, a horticulturist at Garvan Gardens, will discuss xeriscaping techniques and how to implement them in the Central Arkansas climate. Xeriscape refers to a style of landscaping that requires little or no irrigation and is typically found in arid regions.

A "Watercolors in the Garden" workshop will take place from 1-4 p.m. Sept. 28 in the Magnolia Room. Cynthia Schanink, a watercolorist, will teach this floral paint-along class, using peonies as the subject. Schanink will provide a drawing for participants to trace onto watercolor paper and demonstrate each step to a finished painting. No experience is required for the workshop, which is geared toward beginner artists.

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.