Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County Invites the Public to 17 Fun and Informative Horticultural Events During February & March
Including the Environmental Exhibition of
WASHED ASHORE: Art to Save the Sea
+ Hearts-n-Bloom Garden Tea Party – February 3
+ Designing & Creating the Home Landscape – February 4, 11 & 25
+ Stories in the Garden – February 9 & March 9
+ The Literary Garden: Book Discussion – February 13
+ The Science of Living Shorelines – February 13
+ Propagation: Increasing Your Numbers – February 15
+ Dogs Day in the Garden – February 25
+ Qigong / Tai Chi in the Garden – March 1, 8, 15 & 22
+ Medicinal Plants for the Garden – March 11
+ Environmental Film Series: The Smog of the Sea – March 22
+ Palm & Cycad Sale – March 24-25
(West Palm Beach, FL – January 16, 2018) Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden will be hosting 17 fun and informative horticultural events during February and March, including the return of Tai Chi in the Garden, the second annual Hearts-n-Bloom Garden Tea Party, several fascinating workshops, the always popular Palm & Cycad Sale, and the ongoing ecology-themed exhibition, WASHED ASHORE: Art to Save the Sea, which will be on display at Mounts through early June.
February
Hearts-n-Bloom Garden Tea Party
Saturday, February 3 – 11 am to 2 pm
Mounts – The Great Lawn
$75 for members; $125 for nonmembers
Join Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden for the second annual Garden Tea Party, catered by Serenity Garden Tea House. Enjoy a Mimosa Garden Stroll through the exciting new exhibit WASHED ASHORE: Art to Save the Sea, followed by the traditional tea party. Participants are encouraged to wear their best Garden Hat for inclusion in the Designer Hat Fashion Show, and enjoy a fun Garden Auction offering rare and exotic plants.
(Note: Advance reservations required.)
Designing & Creating the Home Landscape (3-part series)
Sunday, February 4, 11 & 25 – 9 am to 1 pm
Clayton Hutcheson Conference Room
$125 for members; $135 for nonmembers
Instructor: Laura McLeod, Sanctuary Landscape Design
Does the thought of improving a home landscapes seem daunting? Certified landscape designer and horticultural professional Laura McLeod will explore the basics of good design and walk attendees through each step of the planning process. They’ll go out into the Garden and see some of the best performers for South Florida landscapes to help gather ideas for their own landscape. In the final class, Laura and our experts will review and positively critique the landscape design for their property that participants created at home.
Stories in the Garden:
Flowers
Friday, February 9 – 10 to 11 am
Mounts – The Pavilion
FREE
Speaker: Stacey Burford, Youth Services Librarian
Celebrate the 15th year of Stories in the Garden by bringing young ones (ages 2-6) to these FREE nature-themed programs co-sponsored by the Palm Beach Library System. They’ll love the interactive stories, songs and learning activities in the Garden. Programs are held rain or shine in the sheltered Pavilion. No reservations required, except for parties of six or more. A craft activity to culminate each day will be reserved for the first 30 registrants.
(Note: To pre-register, call Mounts at 561.233.1757.)
The Science of Living Shorelines
Tuesday, February 13 – 9 am to Noon
Mounts Exhibit Hall A
$15 for members; $25 for nonmembers
Instructor: Jim Lappert, Associate Scientist with Orca Research & Conservation Association (ORCA)
The Indian River Lagoon is an estuary in peril. Once considered one of the most diverse water bodies in our country, years of poor water quality, muck accumulation, and human development have led to a much less healthy system. Organizations like ORCA of Ft Pierce are looking for solutions to the IRL’s problems. One possible solution is habitat restoration. By building “living shorelines” scientists are able to recreate lost habitat and kick start a declining system. Jim Lappert will discuss the science of living shorelines and the use of native Florida vegetation to recreate lost shoreline habitats. At ORCA, he is responsible for the management of field operations, which includes the Kilroy monitoring program and ORCA’s living shoreline program. He also manages four field engineers, a satellite office in Melbourne, and a habitat restoration nursery where ORCA is growing 11 native plant species for its living shorelines program.
The Literary Garden: Book Discussion
Tuesday, February 13 – 2 to 3:30 pm
Clayton Hutcheson Conference Room
FREE
Featured Book: Behold the Dreamers: A Novel by Imbolo Mbue
Few pleasures in life surpass that of reading a good book or cultivating your own garden. Mounts Botanical Gardenis partnering with the Palm Beach County Library System to combine these joys by uniting book lovers and garden enthusiasts with dynamic reading selections, followed by a discussion the grounds of the Garden. This month’s selection is an Oprah Book Club pick and was named one of the Best Books of the Year by The New York Times. It is a compulsively readable novel about marriage, immigration, class, race and the trapdoors in the American Dream.
(Note: To pre-register, call Mounts at 561.233.1757.)
Propagation: Increasing Your Numbers
Thursday, February 15 – 5 to 7:30 pm
Clayton Hutcheson Conference Room
$35 for members; $40 for nonmembers
Instructor: Joel Crippen, Mounts Horticulturalist
Discover the process of creating new plants from a variety of sources. Joel Crippen, horticulturalist and garden writer extraordinaire, will cover a range of techniques on the topic of propagation: how to make and root soft and hardwood tissues with or without a misting system; dividing clumping plants; and collecting, preparing, and sowing seeds. Attendees will learn a few “tricks of the trade” and environmental conditions for success. Hands on and geared for novices and enthusiasts. Bring garden clippers or paper scissors. If desired, bring in cuttings of particular plants you would like to root.
Dogs Day in the Garden
Sunday, February 25 – 10 am to 3:30 pm
Throughout the Garden
FREE for members and children under 3; $15 for nonmembers; $5 for children ages 4-12
Back by PUP-ular Demand. This is the perfect opportunity to bring the entire family, dogs included, to visit Mounts. Take a walk on the winding paths, meet other pooch pals, heel for photo opportunities, and shop at dog-friendly vendors. All dogs MUST be on a non-retractable leash (strictly enforced). Be part of this tail-wagging good time.
March
Qigong / Tai Chi in the Garden
Thursday, March 1 – 9 to 10 am
The Hutcheson Portico (Back of the Garden)
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers
Instructor: Dorothy Rettay, Level IV Qigong (the highest level of Spring Forest Qigong)
A professional practitioner of Wu-Style Tai Chi, Rettay is a certified instructor and owner of The Qigong Studio and Up Your Qi!™, a system that uses her unique regimen of applied Qigong/Tai Chi principles and exercises to increase the Qi energy of the body and to restore health, balance and vitality. She has studied mind-body-spirit disciplines for over 30 years, and is a member of the National Qigong Association and American Tai Chi Qigong Association.
Qigong / Tai Chi in the Garden
Thursday, March 8 – 9 to 10 am
The Hutcheson Portico (Back of the Garden)
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers
Instructor: Dorothy Rettay, Level IV Qigong (the highest level of Spring Forest Qigong)
A professional practitioner of Wu-Style Tai Chi, Rettay is a certified instructor and owner of The Qigong Studio and Up Your Qi!™, a system that uses her unique regimen of applied Qigong/Tai Chi principles and exercises to increase the Qi energy of the body and to restore health, balance and vitality. She has studied mind-body-spirit disciplines for over 30 years, and is a member of the National Qigong Association and American Tai Chi Qigong Association.
Stories in the Garden:
Bees
& Tour of Windows on the Floating World: Blume Tropical Wetlands Garden
Friday, March 9 – 10 to 11 am
Mounts – The Pavilion
FREE
Speaker: Stacey Burford, Youth Services Librarian
Celebrate the 15th year of Stories in the Garden by bringing young ones (ages 2-6) to these FREE nature-themed programs co-sponsored by the Palm Beach Library System. They’ll love the interactive stories, songs and learning activities in the Garden. Programs are held rain or shine in the sheltered Pavilion. No reservations required, except for parties of six or more. A craft activity to culminate each day will be reserved for the first 30 registrants.
(Note: To pre-register, call Mounts at 561.233.1757.)
Medicinal Plants for the Garden
Sunday, March 11 – 10 to 11:30 am
Mounts Exhibit Hall A
$15 for members; $20 for nonmembers
Instructor: Donnie Brown, Evening Herb Society, & Laura Olson, Owner of euFloria Healing LLC
This will be an educational journey to learning more about medicinal plants. The two instructors will discuss various types of medicinal plants, how to plant them, health benefits associated with them, and how to implement them in your life. A tour of the Garden of Well-Being (Herb Garden) will conclude the presentation.
Qigong / Tai Chi in the Garden
Thursday, March 15 – 9 to 10 am
The Hutcheson Portico (Back of the Garden)
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers
Instructor: Dorothy Rettay, Level IV Qigong (the highest level of Spring Forest Qigong)
A professional practitioner of Wu-Style Tai Chi, Rettay is a certified instructor and owner of The Qigong Studio and Up Your Qi!™, a system that uses her unique regimen of applied Qigong/Tai Chi principles and exercises to increase the Qi energy of the body and to restore health, balance and vitality. She has studied mind-body-spirit disciplines for over 30 years, and is a member of the National Qigong Association and American Tai Chi Qigong Association.
Qigong / Tai Chi in the Garden
Thursday, March 22 – 9 to 10 am
The Hutcheson Portico (Back of the Garden)
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers
Instructor: Dorothy Rettay, Level IV Qigong (the highest level of Spring Forest Qigong)
A professional practitioner of Wu-Style Tai Chi, Rettay is a certified instructor and owner of The Qigong Studio and Up Your Qi!™, a system that uses her unique regimen of applied Qigong/Tai Chi principles and exercises to increase the Qi energy of the body and to restore health, balance and vitality. She has studied mind-body-spirit disciplines for over 30 years, and is a member of the National Qigong Association and American Tai Chi Qigong Association.
Environmental Film Series
The Smog of the Sea
Thursday, March 22
+ Gates Open at 5:30 pm
+ Film starts at 6:30 pm
Mounts Exhibit Hall A
FREE for members; $15 for nonmembers; $5 for children (5-12), and includes admission to the exhibit WASHED ASHORE: Art to Save the Sea.
Sponsored by the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, this 3-part Environmental Film Series is a great opportunity for the community to come together to view environmental films and documentaries, to raise awareness of our relationship with the natural environment, and to use film as a platform for conversation, education and positive change. Each viewing will be followed by a dynamic discussion with scientists and environmental advocates, enabling attendees to share thoughts, consider various viewpoints and hear expert perspectives. In the opening film, marine scientist invites an unusual crew of citizen scientists on a mission to assess the fate of plastics in the ocean. The Smog of the Seaprovides a new perspective on the once pristine oceans, and makes an artful call to action for rethinking the scourge of the sea — single use plastic. (Directed by Peabody Award-winning and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Ian Chemey.)
Palm and Cycad Sale
+ Saturday, March 24 – 9 am to 3 pm
+ Sunday, March 25 – 9 am to 3 pm
Throughout the Garden
FREE for members; $5 for nonmembers
Produced by the Palm Beach Palm & Cycad Society, this two-day event is the perfect opportunity to shop for over 500 different palm trees and cycads in all shapes and sizes. A limited supply of top-rated fertilizer and reference books will also be available for purchase. For more information, visit www.palmbeachpalmcycadsociety.com.)
Also at Mounts Throughout February & March
WASHED ASHORE:
Art to Save the Sea
Daily – 10 am to 4 pm
Throughout the Garden
FREE for members and children 4 and under; $15 for nonmembers; $ 5 for children (5-12); group tours are $18 per person (5 and older)
This exciting new exhibit features 10- giant sea life sculptures made entirely of marine debris collected from beaches to graphically illustrate the tragedy of plastic pollution in oceans and waterways, and to encourage conservation. The impressive sculptures will be located throughout the Garden’s 14 acres and are sure to captivate people of all ages, while emphasizing the critical importance of environmental conservation and sustainability.
Note: This exhibit will run through June 3, 2018. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Garden’s main gate. To schedule a group tour, call 561-233-1757.
Note:
To register for any of the events and workshops at The Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County, go online at www.mounts.org/eventcalendar or call 561.233.1757. Events at Mounts are accessible to people with disabilities.
About Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County:
With a mission to inspire the public, Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden, offering gorgeous displays of tropical and sub-tropical plants, plus informative classes, workshops, and other fun-filled events. The Garden contains more than 2,000 species of plants, including Florida native plants, exotic and tropical fruit trees, herbs, palms, bromeliads and more. Mounts Botanical Garden is a facility of the Palm Beach County Extension Service, which is in partnership with the University of Florida and Friends of the MountsBotanical Garden. Mounts is located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach.
Mounts Botanical Garden is open everyday (except Palm Beach County recognized holidays) from 10 am to 4 pm.For more information, please call 561.233.1757 or visit www.mounts.org.