+ Tai Chi Classes – May 7, 14, 21, 28
+ Mother’s Day & Dogs’ Day in the Garden – May 9
+ Watercolor Classes – May 10, 17, 24, 31
+ Wildness and the Art of Seeing – May 10
+ Wednesday Walk and Talk – May 11, 18, 25
+ Qi Gong Classes – May 11, 18, 25
+ Nature Explorers with Professor Screech – May 12
+ Botanical Photography: Flower & Foliage Workshop –
May 14, 21
+ The Birds and the Bees:
Create a Pollinator Friendly Garden – May 18
+ Beekeeping for Beginners – May 18
(West Palm Beach, FL – April 7, 2022) Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden will be hosting 21 fun, healthy, educational, and always awesome open-air events in May.
“Mounts is focused on flowers in May, numerous varieties of colorful flowers throughout Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden. That’s why we are inviting flower lovers and proud ‘green-thumbers’ of all ages to come out and enjoy some of our many safe, informative, and happy horticultural activities throughout the merry month of May,” says Curator-Director Rochelle Wolberg. “And everybody with a determination to ‘get healthier’ will find a series of events to nurture both the body and soul.”
May 7, 14, 21, 28
Tai Chi Classes
Saturdays, 10 am to 11 am
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 25 adults.
Originally from ancient China, Tai Chi is an art form as well as an exercise. The movements are flowing and gentle, but profoundly powerful. The main objective of the practice of Tai Chi is to magnify, strengthen, and encourage the flow of the internal energy, the “chi”. When the “chi” flows throughout the body, one experiences over-all health, rejuvenation, and internal joy. Led by Josefina McMahon, this class is based on Sun Style Tai Chi which combines Qigong and Tai Chi. Wear sneakers or closed comfortable shoes and loose top and pants. Bring a towel and water.
To register, please visit www.mounts.org/events
May 8
Mother’s Day & Dogs’ Day in the Garden
Sunday, 9 am to 4 pm (last entry at 3 pm)
FREE for MBG members and children under 6; $12 for nonmember adults; $10 for seniors 65+, college students, and military with ID; $5 for children 6-17. Ticket includes full Garden admission.
This dog-and-family-friendly monthly event is held throughout the Garden. Bring both your beloved mom and favorite pooch to enjoy a relaxed garden stroll. There are many great spots to capture family photos for posting online with #mountsbotanicalgarden.
Guidelines:
+ Non-retractable leashes only; retractable leashes are not permitted.
+ No more than one dog per adult will be admitted.
+ Rabies vaccination must be current.
+ Visitors should bring their own and water treats for the puppies.
+ For all Dogs’ Day rules, please visit www.mounts.org/dogs-day.
May 10, 17, 24, 31
Watercolor Classes
Tuesdays, 10 am to 12:30 pm
$10 for members; $20 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults.
Artist Carl Stoveland returns with his popular watercolor classes. Each class begins with a nature walk through the Garden led by your instructor, artist Carl Stoveland. The purpose of the walk is to inspire you and give you an opportunity to capture photos with your phone or tablet along the way. The group will then move indoors, where Carl will start with a quick demo topic then assist you choosing a subject and getting started on your watercolor. This class is for adults only. Bring your pencils, pens, paints sketchpad or watercolor pad, (or journal) and your favorite photographic device (i.e., cell phone camera or tablet). These classes are open to all levels from novice to artist and will be tailored to each student.
To register, please visit www.mounts.org/events
May 10
Wildness and the Art of Seeing
Tuesday, 10 am to 11:30 am
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults.
Artist and naturalist Autumn Kioti will lead a special Garden walk where participants will explore, reconnect with nature, and note their observations. A fun and therapeutic nature journaling project will follow, where participants will learn simple techniques for creatively recording observations. Materials will be provided, but participants may bring their own journal and media.
To register, please visit https://www.mounts.org/events/
May 11, 18, 25
Wednesday Walk and Talk
Wednesdays, 8:30 am to 9:30 am
$5 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; tour size is limited to 15 adults
Come early to enjoy the quietness of the morning while reconnecting and recharging with nature. Walk for fitness and for fun, stopping along the way for a few stretching exercises. Experience the beauty of the Garden and note the changes each week.
To register, please visit www.mounts.org/events
May 11, 18, 25
Qi Gong Classes
Wednesdays, 10 am to 11 am
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 20 adults.
Relieve stress and increase metabolism, flexibility, and strength. Qi Gong (pronounced chee-gong) is an ancient Chinese exercise and healing technique. The exercises include simple, slow movements (which mimic nature), meditation, and focused breathing—similar to Tai Chi. Classes will be inside, led by Roxanne Cumberland.
To register, please visit www.mounts.org/events
May 12
Nature Explorers with Professor Screech
Thursday, 10 am to 11:30 am
$7 for MBG member youth (ages 6-17), siblings 0-5 are FREE; $10 for nonmember youth (ages 6-17), siblings 0-5 are FREE. Ticket includes full Garden admission)
Adults accompanying youth can receive up to 1 free ticket.
Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult.
All attendees are required to register. Tour size is limited to 20 people
Come explore the Garden with Professor Screech (a/k/a Autumn Kioti). Explorers will embark on a guided tour through the natural world. Learn fun facts about the Garden’s insects, animals, and plants, and create their own nature art project. This tour is designed for youth ages 6 to 12.
To register, please visit www.mounts.org/events
May 14, 21
Botanical Photography: Flower and Foliage Workshop
Saturdays, 10 am to 11:30 am
$40 for members; $60 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 25 adults.
Learn how to become a better flower photographer in this two-part workshop. Photographer Art Silverglate will teach about camera equipment and the key concepts of macro photography. Flower photography is becoming extremely popular for camera enthusiasts and learning how to choose your composition, your lens, and how to find the right light, makes this art even more fun!
- Session I: Saturday, May 14, 10 am to 11:30 am
A short classroom presentation will share basic concepts and tips on how to use macro photography to zoom in on subjects to create stunning photos. The remainder of Session I will be in the garden, practicing the techniques.
- Session II: Saturday, May 21: 10 am to 11:30 am
Please bring a flash drive or photo stick with your photos. This session of the workshop focuses on editing, and Art Silverglate will talk about ways to take a flower photo from drab to fab using Photoshop and Lightroom techniques.
Note: Participants are encouraged to bring the following materials:
+ Pad, tablet, or preferred note-taking material
+ Hat for sun protection
+ Water bottle
+ Camera, tripod, cable release or switch, zoom lens
+ Macro lens or close-up attachments
To register, please visit www.mounts.org/events
May 18
The Birds and the Bees: Create a Pollinator Friendly Garden
Wednesday, 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; Tour size is limited. 20 adults
Tour the Garden with Nada Vergili as she discusses the essential role pollinator’s play in our food supply. Learn which plants can help feed and support them as well as some Florida-friendly landscaping practices that will turn your backyard into a butterfly’s favorite hangout, adding grace and beauty to your property. Even if you only have a balcony, learn which potted plants will attract butterflies to create a Zen retreat for yourself and nature.
To register, please visit https://www.mounts.org/events/
May 18
Beekeeping for Beginners
Wednesday, 2 pm to 3:30 pm
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 20 adults. Class held inside.
Expert beekeeper, Chris von Dahm will discuss what is needed to keep honeybees. Learn how and why a beehive functions, how to manage a colony, and how to begin producing honey. The beekeeper will also discuss the different types of local honey and identifying which beehives go to which flowers to produce the different flavors. Honey has been used for both food and medicine for centuries, come explore the ways to can incorporate more sweetness and health into life. Honey will be available to taste test and for purchase after the class.
To register, please visit https://www.mounts.org/events/
Also available to visit in May 2022:
Moai at Mounts Botanical Garden
Located in the Tropical Forest Garden
Bringing the awe and wonder of Easter Island to West Palm Beach is this new permanent installation of three imposing moai statues, replicas of the iconic monolithic, human figures located on Rapa Nui, Chile. Designed by artist Dennis MacDonald with great attention to authenticity and detail, each of the statues is made of solid, reinforced, poured concrete and has been stained to create a weathered appearance. The larger moai stands 20 feet tall and wears a “hat” known as pukao, two additional pukao rest on the ground.
The Moai at Mounts Botanical Garden installation is included with Garden admission:
FREE for MBG members and children under 6; $12 for nonmember adults; $10 for seniors 65+, college students, and military with ID; $5 for children 6-17. Ticket includes full Garden admission.
+ Tickets available for purchase at the gate.
Garden hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 9 am to 3 pm.
About Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County:
With a mission to inspire and educate through nature, Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden. Visitors to this 16-acre tropical oasis will see an acclaimed collection of 25 unique garden areas containing more than 5,000 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants, including Florida natives, exotic and tropical fruit trees, herbs, palms, roses, cactus, bromeliads and much more. Mounts Botanical Garden is part of the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Department, in partnership with the University of Florida and the non-profit Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden. This project is sponsored in part by The Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council, and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. Mounts Botanical is located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach. For more information, please visit www.mounts.org.
