Garvan Woodland Gardens Hosts Trash Bash, Fall Festival and Workshops in October

Garvan Woodland Gardens

A butterfly rests on a coneflower at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – October at Garvan Woodland Gardens brings activities such as a community clean up, a family fall festival and workshops on fairy gardens, succulent-topped pumpkins and ornamental grasses.

The October art exhibit, "Tree Creatures," will be on display Oct. 1-31 in the Magnolia Room. This exhibit features images by Susan Julie Gonzales, who has shown her photography in California and Arkansas. Her photography career has been motivated by a love for all things natural and a strong sense of the spiritual in the universe. These guiding principles have led her to develop a portfolio of tree images that she calls "Creaturas Arbóreas — Tree Creatures." The collection has grown to over 100 completed images in both traditional darkroom and digital work.

A "Landscape for Life Series" course for garden members only will be held from 9 a.m. to noon every Monday in October in the Magnolia Room and Millsap Bride's Hall. The Landscape for Life course was developed to provide training to homeowners on sustainable gardening practices. It is based on the principles of the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES), a collaborative effort between the United States Botanic Garden, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin and the American Society of Landscape Architects.

A "Tree ID Lecture and Hike" will take place from 1-3 p.m. Oct. 2 in the Magnolia Room and on garden trails. Victor Ford, interim associate director of agriculture and natural resources for the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, will present a lecture on tree identification. Participants will learn techniques for identifying trees in the region and then put those skills to use on a hike through the Hixson Nature Preserve.

A "Run for the Family" will take place at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 7 on the garden trails. This will be COMPACT Family Services' fourth annual Run for the Family 5K to benefit Hillcrest Children's Home in Garland County.

A "Trash Bash" will take place from 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 7 in the Klipsch Amphitheater. The annual community clean up will begin between 8 and 9 a.m. Participants will pick up trash from nearby shorelines, roads and ditches. Participants will earn prize drawing tickets based on the amount of trash collected. Participants can then go to garden's amphitheater for a free T-shirt, barbecue lunch, entertainment and a drawing for several prizes, including a computer. Locations for the clean up include Lake Hamilton (Hill Wheatley Park, Hulsey Fish Hatchery, Sunnybook Landing, Sunset Cove Marina), Lake Catherine (Carpenter Dam Park, Munro Shoe Factory Boat Ramp, Lake Catherine State Park) and the ​Ouachita River (White Water Park in Malvern).

A "Composting in the Garden with Janet Carson" workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 17 in the Magnolia Room. Janet Carson, extension horticulture specialist, will share methods for producing quality compost. Using compost as a soil amendment can improve one's home garden production, both with ornamental plants and edible crops. Lunch is included.

The "Pysanky Retreat at the Gardens" will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Oct. 20-23 in the Magnolia Room. Pysanky, or the Ukrainian Easter egg, is a folk art that decorates the ancient symbol of spring and rebirth through a batik process using beeswax and dyes. Intricate geometric, floral and animal designs in a rainbow of colors emerge as the waxed patterns are melted away. Visitors can watch artisans work and view displays of hundreds of finished eggs in a variety of styles, many of which will be for sale. The workshop is sold out.

The third "Celebrate Fall" family festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 21 on the garden grounds. Attendants can explore the spooky train, trick or treat for candy and pick out a free pie-sized pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. Candy and pumpkins are given on a first-come, first-served basis.

The workshop "Not Just for Jack-o'-Lanterns: Succulent Topped Pumpkins" will be held from 1-3 p.m. Oct. 21 in the Magnolia Room. Minnie Shelor, horticulturist and garden manager, will show how any pumpkin can become an appealing fall arrangement or centerpiece. In a few steps, Shelor will use seasonal dried materials from the garden, along with moss and succulents, to transform the fall squash into a succulent display that can be grown on as a dish garden. Participants should bring their own seasonal dried materials and pumpkin, which should be 10 to 14 inches in diameter. The succulents are provided.

A "Bonsai Essentials: Fall/Winter Edition" talk will take place from 10-11 a.m. Oct. 26 in the Magnolia Room. Bryan Carlan, Garvan horticulturist and bonsai gardener, will present a brief overview of seasonal care tips and techniques for budding bonsai gardeners. Participants will learn how to prepare their specimens for the upcoming cool weather.

A "Petite Floral Design from the Woodland Garden: Fairies, Here We Come!" workshop will take place from 1-5 p.m. Oct. 27 in the Magnolia Room and garden areas. Anna Burns, author of Guide to the New Petite – Floral Design 12" and Under, will present a hands-on, creative fairy garden workshop. Following a brief lecture, participants will be guided along a walk through the gardens, looking for materials that will be used in the creation of their own petite design. Participants should bring their own containers, no more than 5 inches tall, deep or wide. The remaining materials are provided.

A "Put on Your Fancy Plants: Ornamental Grasses" workshop will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 31 in the Magnolia Room. Minnie Shelor, Garvan horticulturist, will present an introduction to using ornamental grasses in the garden and proper ornamental grass care. These grasses add perennial texture, form and sound to the home garden.

The "Tai Chi Series: Strength in Motion" will take place from 1:30-2:30 p.m. every Thursday 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 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 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.

A "Group Trail Run" will take place at 5:45 p.m. every Tuesday 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.

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.