Top 25 Signs of Spring at the Arboretum 

(April 16, 2011) Spring has taken hold at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum despite a dusting of snow this weekend and cooler temps.  From Earth Day and Arbor Day activities to National Public Garden Day to how to get your garden growing to brilliant blooms in May (32,000 tulip, 10,000 daffodil & 6,000 hyacinth bulbs) and yoga in the gardens…it’s time to visit the Arboretum and celebrate what’s in store for spring!

1. Spring bloom alerts: crocus in full bloom, hepatica blooms, wood thrushes; frog chorus; call 612-625-9791 or  www.arboretum.umn.edu/whatsinbloom.aspx

2. Storytime at the Library, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. free with Arb admission

3. Earth Day, Friday April 22: Walks for the Curious, 10:30 a.m. ($7.50 member/$15 non-member); or Green Health  talk on steps to improve health and well-being, 10 a.m., free with Arboretum admission.

4.       Weekend Family Fun: Squish of Spring, weekends in April, noon- 4 p.m.; Blooming Baskets, weekends in May, noon-4 p.m., Learning Center, free with Arboretum admission.

5.       Spring Trunk Show III: Tree Trunk Treasures, meet artist Virgil Leih and informal tours, weekends of exhibit through May 8, 1-3 p.m., Great Hall

6.       Dogs Day 5K Walk & Expo, Saturday, April 23, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. ($25 per dog) Register at www.arboretum.umn.edu/dogday.aspx

7.       Steelroots: Touching Earth & Sky guided walking tour of 16 sculptures, Saturdays April 23-Oct. 8, 10:30 a.m., Departs from Visitor Center. Free with Arboretum admission.

8.       Easter Bunny Brunch, Sunday, April 24, three seatings start at 9:30 a.m., $20/$22, reservations 612-626-3951, MacMillan Aud. 

9.       Arbor Day: Friday, April 29: Walks for the Curious, 10:30 a.m. ($7.50 member/$15 non-member); or Who Needs Trees program explores art, science, planting, etc., 10 a.m., free with Arboretum admission

10.    Arboretum Gardening School, Saturday, April 30, spring planting for summer color, register at www.arboretum.umn.edu/learn.aspx

11.    Celebrating Our Roots hosta and ornamental grass plant sale, Gift Store, Saturday, April 30, 8 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 1, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

12.    Bud Break 5K run/walk and Daffodil dash, Sunday, May 1, 9 a.m. start time, $20/$25 and $30 race day; Nordic Walking with Hoigaard’s at 9:15 a.m. 

13.    From Vine to Wine: Appreciating the Bounty of the Grape, Thursday, May 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m., $80/$90 for three class sessions, also May 12 & 19)

14.    National Public Garden Day, Friday, May 6, 10-11 a.m., public art mural on what gardens mean to you, Visitor Center, free with admission. (Better Homes & Gardens offer readers free admission coupon for 2 for May 6 visit to Arb).

15.    Ask a Master Gardener/Yard & Garden Desk, weekends, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

16.    Celebrate with Mom at the Arb: Mother’s Day Brunches, Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., $20/$22/$9 age 4-7; reserve at  612-626-3951, or www.umnarboretum.catertrax.com; Springtime Tea, Wednesday, May 11, 2:30-4 p.m., & Mothers & Daughters Tea, Saturday, May 14, 2:30 p.m., Tea Room, $23/$26; Gift of Arboretum Membership (starting at $45, gift subscription to Better Homes & Gardens), www.arboretum.umn.edu/join.aspx; cooking classes: Dinner with a Chef or  Saturdays in the Kitchen,www.arboretum.umn.edu/cookingclasses.aspx 

17.    SummerHouse opens Friday, May 13: fruits, shrubs, grasses, perennials, gardening tools, containers and outdoor décor; west of Arboretum on Hwy.5

18.    Auxiliary Spring Plant Sale, Saturday May 14 & Sunday, May 15, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Margot Picnic Shelter area, shop for hard-to-find plants, shrubs, trees. 

19.    What’s the Buzz? Honey!, Saturday, May 14, 9-11 a.m., $30/$40 class

20.    Bog Bash, Sunday, May 15, noon- 4 p.m., Ordway Picnic Shelter and bog area celebrating grand re-opening of Wurtele Bog Walk on Green Heron Trail, with interpretive stations and Bog Passport children’s activity and book-signing for “Big Belching Bog”, music. Free with Arboretum admission. 

21.    An Evening with Author Richard Louv, Monday, May 16, 7-9 p.m., guided walk, conversation and book-signing of “The Nature Principle” and Symposium keynote address, Tuesday, May 17; reserve for either at www.arboretum.umn.edu/learn.aspx or call 952-443-1422. 

22.    Spring Plein-Air Watercolor Workshop: Green Heron Pond, Saturday, May 21, 9:45 a.m – 1 p.m., $40/$50, create plant and animal images, register at www.arboretumn.umn.edu/learn.aspx or call 952-443-1422

23.    Yoga in the Gardens with Gorilla Yogis, Saturday, May 21, 10:30 a.m., free yoga event, meet at Snyder Building to proceed to gardens

24.    Here Comes the Sun, Reedy Gallery, meet the artist and informal tours Saturday, May 21, 1-3 p.m., exhibit May 20-Aug. 14 features 17 painters 

25.    Children’s Summer Fun: weekly day camps, weekly children’s garden, guided adventures, Pea Pods for Pre-schoolers, register at www.arboretumn.umn.edu/learn.aspx or call 952-443-1422
 
Three-Mile Drive now open to vehicles for the season! Special thanks to Tennant Company and their employees for cleaning Three-Mile Drive, paved walking paths and sidewalks at the Arboretum; and parking lots and roadways at the SummerHouse and Horticultural Research Center.