Vol. XXVIII No. 4 • WINTER 2015
the lights are on! Illuminations lights up Wichita’s holidays // pg. 4
a year in review the Carousel Project Looking at 2015 by the numbers // pg. 12 Every contribution gets us closer // pg. 11
2015 Board of Trustees
Officers Steve English, President Justus Fugate, Past President DeeAnne Fahnestock, Vice-President Charlie Wilson, Treasurer
Trustees Cari Clayton Matt Cortez Courtney Darrah Bill Ethridge John Firsching Roarke R. Gordon
Deril Hosford Linda Kizzire Melissa Mangan Sarah Patterson Jo Ann Pottorff Beverly Thornton
ex-Officio Trustees
“Snow Day” by“Perfect Robert Herrington Pair” Photo By Paulette Mattingly
In this issue
Troy Houtman, Director, Parks and Recreation City of Wichita Tori Deatherage, President, Board of Park Commissioners Cathy Holdeman, Assistant City Manager City of Wichita
1
Letter From The Director
2-3
In Bloom
4-6
Illuminations
7
VIP Party
8
Supper With Santa
9
Garden Café & Gift Cards
Check us out on Facebook at
10
Children’s Library & Fun Fair
11
Carousel Donations
www.facebook.com/ BotanicaWichita
12-13
Year In Review
14
Botanica Weddings
15
Lunchtime Lectures
16
Garden Clubs & Classes
17
For the Kids
18-19
Calendar
20
Chinese Garden Murals
21
Volunteers
Cultivate © 2015, Botanica, Inc. Vol. XXVIII No. 4 dec. 2015, jan. - feb. 2016
22-23
Membership Info
Cover: “Lady in Light” by Barney Tull
24
New Faces
25
In The Gardens
Janet Miller, City Council, City of Wichita Mayor’s Appointee
Cultivate is the member magazine for Botanica, Inc. For more information about Botanica's programs, events or Gardens, please call 316-264-0448 or visit our website at www.botanica.org. While on our website, be sure to sign up for our weekly e-newsletter. You can also connect with us through Facebook and Twitter pages linked on our website.
FROM THE
Director Your generosity gives Santa a break From all of us at Botanica we want to thank the entire community for making 2015 one of the best years we have experienced. The highlight of the year was the June 5 dedication of the Chinese Garden of Friendship. The new garden has become a special place to view culture from another time and place through art and nature. Being set apart from the rest of the garden, the Chinese Garden of Friendship creates its own atmosphere of contemplation and wonder. Throughout the year we were honored to receive guests from 46 countries and all 50 states. Each guest who visited the gardens took home special memories made at Botanica. Botanica is all about making memories and everyone shares their memories about the Joyland Merry-Go-Round. Everybody is excited and talking about transforming the merry-go-round into the Botanica Carousel. This piece of nostalgic history has touched almost everyone who has lived in Wichita. Restoration of the Joyland Merry-GoRound is underway. Fundraising for the restoration process and constructing a special building to house the carousel has become a community project. We want everyone to get involved so the memories will be passed down to future generations. This year you can experience “Illuminations” as never before. The pavilion has transformed into a beautiful warming experience. Enjoy refreshments while being sheltered from the weather and experience the new spectacular light displays. New restrooms in the garden have been added. Bring the family and enjoy one of the greatest holiday events surrounded by more than a million lights. When you see the lights and enjoy the festivities, it is guaranteed you will leave filled with the holiday spirit. Please support Botanica and enjoy “Illuminations.” When you support Botanica you make the difference every day when young families visit the gardens for the first time and experience the Downing Children’s Garden and when guests from around the world express their appreciation for creating such a beautiful place. It is your
continued support that keeps Botanica’s future secure as a destination garden with displays of beauty, culture and special events for families. We wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR and thank you again for your generous gifts and helping Botanica grow. Special thanks to all the board and staff for their hard work and committment during 2015. THANK YOU,
December 2015• January • February 2016
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In Bloom Greetings from the gardens as winter sets in at Botanica. At a time when the landscape appears to be at rest, there are pleasant surprises to be found throughout the gardens. With December upon us, another year in the garden is ending. I decided to bring you up to date on five projects the gardeners have been and will be working on this fall and winter. The first project was completed in September. With a national concern for the monarch butterfly becoming national news, especially the loss of milkweed due to round-up-ready crops in farming. Milkweed is the only plant the monarch
WITH
PATRICK MCKERNAN
uses to lay its eggs and the caterpillar feeds on until it converts into a chrysalis. We created a new planting bed with more than 300 milkweed plants made up of five varieties. We planted the varieties in individual areas of the bed to form areas of just that one plant to make it less intimidating for volunteers to weed out all other plants that might sprout in those areas. This greatly increases the milkweed’s viability to produce large plants for the monarchs to feed on. This bed was created west of the trees behind the crop beds in the Downing Children’s Garden farm area. It was placed here not particularly for public viewing, yet will be accessible for classes. This site is inside our fence, yet isolated to do our part in helping the monarch butterfly regain its numbers and continue its annual migration to Mexico each fall. The second project we have been working on since October is a peacock sculpture in the Water Well Garden. This project started out to be a bronze peacock main body with a metal frame work that encircled it with pots to hold plants to form a tail. With our summer conditions being what they are, we located a spot in the Water Well Garden where the bronze body could be placed on the top of the slope and the soil raised up with boulders and stones. This method allows the plants to be planted in the soil. As we finish this project we hope the stones will give you an image of the tail even with bare soil. Then during the growing seasons, plants will wrap around the bonze piece and flow down the slopes and tie into the other annual beds forming a long, colorful tail. We planted tulips in the feature this fall for a spring display. The third project is landscaping around the new restroom facility outside the Downing Children’s Garden. The high elevation of the structure caused a significant drainage problem to the west of the building.
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We have been raising the elevation of some of the area and installing French drains throughout the area to help solve the problem. We have been working with the Wichita Hosta Society to be recognized as a National Hosta Garden site. We have new varieties of hosta and other shade loving plants that will be planted in the back half of the area west of the building and the hillside behind the building. The new planting will back up to the current ‘Hosta of the Year’ bed already planted in the area to the west. In preparation for this new garden area we needed another shade tree to help protect these plants in the future. In September, the Wichita Bar Association purchased and planted an October Glory Red Maple in this area in honor of their 100th anniversary. We appreciate their donation and help in getting this project started. The fourth project is in the east part of the Cissy Wise Wildflower Meadow. The wildflower garden tends to live up to its name by looking wild. This has been a hot topic this fall; some people want it changed and just as many want it left as it is. So what does a gardener do? We are listening to everyone and trying to find a middle ground to work towards. Part of the problem is in the spring when we get so busy things get ahead of us and most volunteers are intimidated about what to pull and what to leave. We are going to clear this part of the garden this winter and replant it in zones or patches from nine square feet to 50 square feet with the instructions next summer that nothing but the designated plant grows in that section. We will plant the smaller plant sections in the front and the 8-10’ plants in the back. We hope to add a few stepping stone paths through the area and increase cultural activities like pruning and reducing the amount of water
the area receives to better control the plants yet let them grow naturally. This will not be an easy or fast project to complete but hopefully in three or four years we can have a wildflower meadow everyone is happy with. The fifth and final project we will discuss here is the slope south of the pavilion in the Xeriscape Garden. The large Sea Green Juniper and Pyracantha shrubs have outgrown their space and will be removed this winter. This will make a large planting area to be redesigned. It is a south-facing slope in a Xeriscape garden. We are still working on the final design and what plants we will include there. Our hardy cactus garden is becoming too shady for them, so we may move them. Yucca and other southwestern plants have been suggested. Screening of the underside of the pavilion needs to be considered. So keep an eye on this area over the winter and next spring as this landscape develops. In closing, our 60,000 tulips are planted. Illuminations is set up and running and another season is ending in the gardens. I want to give a heartfelt thank you to all of my garden staff and volunteers for enduring another year of gardening in Kansas. I would also like to wish each of you a warm, healthy, safe and happy holiday and invite you to visit the gardens often this winter. The gardeners and volunteers will be out pruning, cleaning and repairing the gardens in anticipation of spring and all its great splashes of color. Thank you again for another great year.
December 2015• January • February 2016
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WE L E AV E THE LIGHTS ON
>> 1 million lights (and then some)
33 nights long <<
>> 70,000 visitors last year
24 years running <<
>> 1 unforgettable experience
2015 botanica’s
Illuminations
If you weren’t among the 70,000 visitors to witness Botanica’s holiday light display last year, we assume you’ve got a good excuse. But isn’t it time you made Illuminations a part of your holiday tradition? You’ve
2015
botanica’s
Illuminations
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heard about it. Now you’ve got to see it to believe it.
MONDAY, December 7 - $5 Member Monday! Show your membership card! If you love the holidays as much as we do, then we’re sure your excitement is mounting for Illuminations. Besides being the most wonderful time of the year, it’s when Botanica sees the most visitors — which means more smiles, more fun,
enclosed pavilion, where families can stop for a hot chocolate and warm up before moving on to the next great attraction in the dozen or so themed garden areas. But the real story isn’t how great Illuminations 2015 is going to be. What really
Thursday, December 10 - Illuminations VIP Party! Call for reservations. more families and more unforgettable memories being made in our gardens. It might seem odd for a garden to have its busiest season in the winter, but with a growing Wichita tradition like Illuminations, we’ve seen numbers jump from
keeps our chestnuts roasting over the open fire every night is the holiday spirit of the people who help us make this happen. Without these volunteers and the team behind the scenes, we couldn’t provide 33 nights of Wichita’s Premier Holiday
Satellite parking and shuttle service - Find the schedule! On page 19. 12,000 visitors in 2012 to 35,000 in 2013 to an astounding 70,000 during the season of 2014. And we’re expecting it to keep growing. Which is why one of the big improvements this year will be the expansion and renovation of our now-
Light Display. And we couldn’t keep making it bigger and better every year. So who are these wonderful people? Well, honestly there’s too many to even count. But we thought we’d share a couple of their stories, just to say thanks.
THE DREAM TEAM LEE & LYNN LINDQUIST MIKE KANDT Every night, Mike is here in costume, Ho, Ho, Ho-ing his heart out for the kids and he’s done it now for 10 years. “I love it,” Mike says. “I hope I can help them maintain their sense of wonder as long as they can.” His favorite Illuminations memory? The wedding proposal he assisted a groom-to-be with in 2014.
Those million lights? They don’t turn themselves into a twinkling wonderland. That’s Lee’s job. And he spends most of the year in preparation, beginning in January to conquer the technological challenges he hopes are hidden behind the magic. His Disney-trained sister Lynn pitched in this year, giving the duo a project to bond over and new memories to last forever.
LINDA PERRISON Following a weather-beaten attempt to resurrect Illuminations’ luminary roots in the late ‘90s, Linda approached the board with a $30,000 proposal to make the gardens electric, with the promise to avoid deleterious distractions in the space. “It’s like my baby’s grown up,” she says. “It’s changed, which it should.”
December 2015• January • February 2016
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Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard about it. Now see it to believe it.
NOV. 27 TO DEC. 31 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
$8 adults > $7 Members > $6 children (ages 3-12) TICKETS ON SALE AT
ONLINE AT botanica.org OR AT THE DOOR
2015 Illuminations Sponsors
COLBY B. SANDLIAN
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White Christmas
A VIP Illuminations Party Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015
6:30 p.m.
For one night only, Botanica’s indoor & outdoor Lotus Hall terrace will be transformed into a White Christmas party to mingle among friends and enjoy a variety of savory fare and holiday cocktails. Illuminations will be the background for this enchanting evening. The VIP Party originally began as a Preview Party for guests to see Illuminations before it opened to the public. However, over the years it has evolved into a VIP Party because there was so much work setting up lights that it was too difficult to have Illuminations ready before the opening date. Now it’s simply a beautiful holiday party for guests to come together and be merry. DRESS WARM AND CASUAL • VIP PARKING AVAILABLE
Tickets are $40
$30 for members
Call Natalie at 316-264-0448 ext. 107 for reservations or visit botanica.org.
Photo by Janie Lang
Photo by Kathy Sweeney
Photo by Janie Lang
Photo by Janie Lang
Sponsors:
E V E N T
FURNISHINGS
Lora & Don Barry, Justus Fugate, Toni & Bud Gates, Dick Rumsey Memorial Fund & Colby Sandlian
December 2015• January • February 2016
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Y R R T O U S DO L O S . .
For four festive nights,
Santa and his
elves will be taking a break from their holiday preparations to host a special meal
at Botanica: Supper with Santa. Children can discover surprises in their stockings,
decorate a cookie with Santa’s elves, enjoy stories of the season, create an art
and craft, join in a few holiday songs and
share their wishes with Santa Claus.
HO! HO! HO! Who’s Cooking?
Dec. 13: Blue Moon Dec. 14: Corporate Catering Dec. 15: Carrabba’s Dec. 16: Molino’s
$14 for adults ($12 for Botanica members)
$10 for children ages 3-12 ($8 for Botanica Members)
After dinner, families can walk through the Gardens and take in the wondrous lights of
Illuminations.
Follow the trains around the Sensory Garden, watch the lights
dance to music in the Meadow, take a stroll through Candy Cane Lane and enjoy the beauty of more than 8,000 luminaries in the Gardens and millions of lights throughout, including the Downing Children’s Garden. Bring your cameras, appetites and holiday spirit! It’s sure to be a memorable night for your family this holiday season.
Presenting sponsor
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sponsor
sponsor
What’s cooking? YUP, IT’S TRUE. Botanica’s finally got an indoor space
WINTER HOT DRINKS
to grab a latte, a bagel, or snacks
Café Latte Cappuccino Café Mocha Americano Espresso Coffee Hot Tea Hot Chocolate Coco Latte Cinnamon Sugar Latte Dark Chocolate Cappuccino
for the kids between gardens. The Garden Café is your morning java or your place to recharge and refuel during a long visit. We’ve got tables, periodicals and it’s handy that the kids can hang in the library right next door. Come see us soon!
OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
facebook.com/BotanicasGardenCafe
And for a limited time, get our Holiday Special:
Gingerbread Latte
INTRODUCING One of the newest faces at Botanica is Hannah Hueston, Food Services Coordinator. After overseeing merchandising near Cinderella’s Castle at Disney World, she’s back in town heating up hot drinks to start your day. She’s volunteered here for five years, but hopes now to keep the Garden Café growing.
Stuff your stockings with
Botanica Gift CArds GIFT CARDS CAN BE USED ON MEMBERSHIP, PASSES, DAILY ADMISSION, CAFÉ, GIFT SHOP, SPECIAL EVENTS AND CLASSES.
Happy H o
liday s
December 2015• January • February 2016
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what’s next
inside the Every Thursday Sunny Days
Storytime
Family
fun fair
saturday
february 6
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Get back in the gardens with our FREE Family Fun Fair! It’s Botanica’s winter party with crafts and activities, suitable for all ages. We’ll teach kids about cultures within our community and did we mention the giant educational Earth Balloon? It’s your chance to explore Botanica out of season and bring the
Silly stories, finger plays, singing and crafts. Kid-friendly film to follow!
whole family for a whole lot of FUN! See you Feb. 6!
We allow wiggling at all times so come let your little ones ages two and up join us in making merry every moment. Space is limited, so arrive on time to find your place.
starting at
10 a.m.
Library is open Mon.-Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Page 10 | www.botanica.org
Sponsored by:
Gial Kaegi
& Knolla’s Pizza
Botanica’s Carousel Restoration
How to Help
The Project
Botanica and Margaret Nelson Spear have entered into an agreement to accept the Joyland Merry-Go-Round as a gift. The estimated restoration value includes building the structure to house the horses. The carousel is predicted to have gross revenues of $90,000 per year. With your help we can keep this Wichita gem alive to make memories for a new generation.
Botanica is accepting donations for the restoration. In addition, Wichitans are being given the opportunity to purchase a horse. Once restored, it will become a part of the carousel. All individual donors over $2,500 will be recognized at Botanica and on a plaque located on the deck beneath the horse.
Botanica’s Carousel Restoration “It will be the first time that a remnant of the park will be resurrected. And not just any remnant — the heart of the park.” — Margaret Nelson Spear
Joyland was a memory maker. Each and every child who visited came home with a story to tell. Will you join us in helping to create a new generation of memories for children and families to share by preserving this uniquely Wichitan legacy? Name:
To help be a part of keeping the Joyland Merry-Go-Round alive as the Botanica Carousel Project or if you need more info, call Jamee Ross at 316-264-0448 ext. 105 or email at jross@botanica.org to learn how you can support Botanica’s Carousel.
Address:
Count me in for $2,500. My name will share a plaque with 8 total donors. Giddy up!
Phone:
I’m on board for $5,000. My name will share a plaque with 4 total donors. Hi-yo!
Credit Card: Expiration:
3-Digit Code:
701 Amidon • Wichita, KS 67203 • botanica.org
All saddled up for $20,000. The plaque below this horse will reflect a single donor. Yee-haw! Tell me more about how I can help out with major gifts to the building for the Carousel. Please find my enclosed check or charge my credit card at left.
December 2015• January • February 2016|
Page 11
2015 in review
If you’ll pardon the pun, we’ve seen nothing but growth in the gardens this year and all signs point to that continuing. Rental capacity has more than doubled with the opening of Lotus Hall and Event Center.
BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL:
This year we hit a record with close to 2,000 people in attendance. MOTHER’S DAY:
3,400 people came to make memories on Mother’s Day.
5300 10
Guests for the third year of Tulips, Fairies and Forts
950
Local restaurants competing for best Bloody Mary in Town
772 Attendees
helped us crown
THE STORE as Wichita’s #1
SAVE THE DATE: May 12, 2016
26,681 volunteer hours as of Oct. 13
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TUESDAYS ON THE TERRACE:
With
17 concerts and total
5,500 attendees in 2015, we broke a record this year with 950 people attending the last Tuesdays on the Terrace on Sept. 29 with the Mudbugs as the headliner. That’s hot.
8
Days of Wonder - June
2
Opened in September, giving guests great places to unwind at Botanica. Learn about Garden Café on page 9 and the Children’s Library information can be found on page 10.
New Hot Spots
There’s not enough ways to say thanks to the
To celebrate the opening of the brand new CHINESE GARDEN OF FRIENDSHIP, a garden unlike any other in Wichita. More than 3,000 people came to Botanica during the 8 days. Since the Chinese Garden is a part of the overall Botanica experience, thousands upon thousands of people have to come to see it over this summer and fall. And many more for years to come!
650
More than donors and friends of Botanica helped us make this the biggest year of ZEN so far. We want to say: Thanks.
SAVE THE DATE: SEPT. 9, 2016
60 local business
owners and the amazing volunteer committee who made the 2nd Ghoulish Gala a reality. Now we continue the fundraising to bring the Botanica Carousel Project into existence by 2017.
Fall fun for everyone as we broke a singleday attendance record for the garden when over 5,100 visitors joined us for costumes, activities and more at BOOtanica.
! 0 0 51
RD O C RE N KE O R B
SAVE THE DATE: OCT. 8, 2016 December 2015• January • February 2016
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THE ENGAGEMENT IS ON
YOU ALREADY SAID ‘YES’ TO EACH OTHER.
NOW SAY ‘HELLO’ TO
THE BEST PLACE IN KANSAS
to say
o d I 2016 IS BOOKING
QUICKLY
CALL TODAY TO BEGIN PLANNING YOUR FOREVER Images by Mollie Wetta Photography
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LUNCHTIMELECTURES EVERY WEDNESDAY • 12:15 TO 1 P.M.
LUNCH FROM 11 A.M. TO 12:15 P.M.
Lectures are included with membership or admission
Bird Photography
THERE ARE NO LECTURES IN DECEMBER A Royal Tour of England January 6 Come learn about the Parliament and enjoy the pictures as we travel through England. Gerald Schmitt and his wife received an invitation for a private tour of Westminster Palace from Lord Goddard of Stockport followed by a tour of London. Next they traveled by train to Stockport where Englishman Phil Rowbotham gave them a walking tour, including Manchester.
february 3 Don Tan, a member of the Wichita Area Camera Club, will show us his beautiful bird photographs. Don will explain how to get started shooting these fast-moving subjects, the elements that make for a good composition and the challenges behind capturing the perfect shot.
Power Flowers! New Annuals Tested to Survive the Wichita Area february 10 We always see stunningly beautiful new varieties promoted in the magazines, but will they grow here? Dan Parcel, with Kaw Valley, will discuss how they trial new annuals and perennials before they are released for public sale – and they know!
Great Tea Adventures in Taiwan february 17
Thirteen Years of Wichita On Wheels (Collector Cars!) January 13
How the Wheels page (Saturdays in the Wichita Eagle) was created and how it operates today. Mike Berry — the editor, reporter and photographer — will share some of his favorite photographs published over the years of the beautiful, fun and unique collector cars in our area.
Taiwan has a unique tea culture and produces a vast variety of flavors, including some of the best oolong in the world. Marisa Smith with The Spice Merchant recently toured multiple tea gardens and research stations that most visitors don’t get to see. Enjoy beautiful photos of tea gardens and learn about the culture and tea history of Taiwan. And try hot tea samples!
Growing Small Fruit in Kansas february 24 Ward Upham, the Home Horticulture/Master Gardener Coordinator at Kansas State University, will share with us the culture of small fruit such as strawberries, brambles (raspberries and blackberries) and grapes.
What’s Wrong With Heirlooms? January 20 Do you know the difference between species, varieties hybrids and heirlooms? What do they mean for you and your garden and your taste buds if you eat vegetables? As the 2016 plant catalogs come in the mail, you will run into these terms, and Karl Miller of Lark Label (who has worked with 300+ botanic gardens) will put us in the know.
Lunchtime Lectures sponsored by:
Hot Artisan Breads and Soup! January 27
LUNCHTIME LECTURE CATERERS:
Hot fresh bread right out of the oven and a warm, steamy bowl of soup are perfect for a cold day! This tasty program will show you how you can make delicious bread and soup with ease. Denise Dias, Sedgwick County Extension Agent, will be the head chef and there will be recipes and samples to taste!
Jan.: Truffles
Available 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Feb.: Sweet Basil
December 2015• January • February 2016
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Wichita Garden Clubs DEc. to FEb. meetings Wichita Area Garden Council 1st Wednesdays: 7 p.m.
ADULT classes
Wichita Bonsai Club 2nd Saturdays: 9:30 a.m. @ Hong’s Nursery Prairie Winds Daylily Society No Dec. or Jan. meeting Feb. 22 - 7 p.m. @ Botanica’s Fireside Room Wichita Daffodil Society No meeting for Dec., Jan. or Feb. Orchid Society Meets every 3rd Sunday at Botanica Jan. 17 - 2 p.m. @ Botanica Feb. 21 - 2 p.m. @ Botanica Wichita Hosta Society No December meeting Jan. 19, 6:30 p.m. @ Botanica Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m. @ Botanica Suburban Garden Club No Dec. meeting Jan. 11 - 9:45 a.m. @ Botanica Feb. 8 - 9:45 a.m. @ Botanica Wichita Dayliliy Club — 2nd Mondays: 7 p.m. No meeting in December or January Feb. 8, 7 p.m. @ Botanica Wichita Pond Society Dec. 5: Holiday Party Jan. 9: Regular Meeting Feb. 6: Regular Meeting For contact information for any of the garden clubs, call 316-264-0448 and ask the operator. Page 16 | www.botanica.org
COME DANCE WITH US! 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. thursday, febraury 4 Winter may be cold but we will heat up the dance floor at Botanica! Whether you’re a beginner wanting to get started or a seasoned veteran, we will have a great time! An instructor will show us step-bystep two famous line dances, the Electric Slide and the Cupid Shuffle, and also two well-known partner dances, the Foxtrot (simplified) and the Rumba (slow version). Bring a partner or come alone and make new friends in our group class! Adults 21 and over may BYOB and everyone can bring their favorite snack to share during the break.
$20 members $25 non-members Reservations an d paym ent made th roug h M itzi e Hall at 316-26 4- 04 48, ext. 117.
FOR THE KIDS!
FOR RESERVATIONS TO ANY OF THESE EVENTS, CALL 316-264-0448 EXT. 117.
GARDEN
Sprouts (AGES 3 TO 5) Come to the garden with your preschool-aged child for an opportunity to explore nature together. Each month we focus on a theme from the garden using children’s literature, games, eco-art and a scrumptious snack. CLASSES ARE TUESDAYS AT 10 A.M. AND 1 P.M. $9, $6 FOR BOTANICA MEMBERS. CLASS LIMIT IS 15 PER SESSION. DEC. 8: I SPY TREES JAN. 12: GOODNIGHT MOON FEB. 9: LITTLE SNOWFLAKES Pre-registration is required. Registration must be made by 5 p.m. the Friday before the class. One adult is included with each child. Additional non-member adults must pay regular admission.
Home Grown
E d u c at i o n
Education
DEC. 3 & 4: FOOD WEBS JAN. 7 & 8: GARDEN VERTEBRATES FEB. 4 & 5: CYCLES IN NATURE Fee is $5 for members, $15 cap per family. $7 non-members, $21 cap per family. CLASSES START AT 1 P.M. Fees include admission to the Gardens, including Downing Children’s Garden. Pre-registration is required by noon the day before the class.
Seasonal Studies
(TWEEN TO TEEN)
JAN. 21: 1 TO 3 P.M. - ETHI-REASONING Learn to analyze complex environmental issues and their impacts through hypothetical dilemmas.
BOTANICA IN YOUR CLASSROOM:
$60 per class (max 25 students) 1 hour program and extension activity. Morning and afternoon sessions available Jan. to March
Hey TEACHERS!
LOOK HERE
GOTTA GO: A MONARCH STORY Pre-K-1st grade TREEMENDOUS: DISCOVERING THE IMPORTANCE OF TREES 2nd-3rd grade FOOD WEBS: ENERGY ON THE MOVE 4th-5th grade December 2015• January • February 2016
| Page 17
CALENDAR decEMBER
December 1 - 31 Illuminations: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Closed for Dec. 24 & 25)
Friday, December 4 Home Grown Education - Food Web: 1 p.m. (Ages: K to 5th)
$5 Member Monday! Show your membership card at Illuminations & every adult ticket is $5
Tuesday, December 8 Garden Sprouts - I Spy Trees: 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. (Ages: 3 to 5)
Thursday, December 24 Closed for Christmas Eve No Illuminations
Wednesday, December 9 Friends of Botanica Meeting: 8:45 a.m.
Friday, December 25 MERRY CHRISTMAS No Illuminations
Volunteer Coffee: 10 a.m.
Thursday, December 3 Home Grown Education - Food Web: 1 p.m. (Ages: K to 5th)
MONDAY, December 7
Thursday, December 10 VIP Illuminations Party (Invite Only) Sunday, December 13 Illuminations: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Supper With Santa: Blue Moon Monday, December 14 Illuminations: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Supper With Santa: Corporate Caterers Tuesday, December 15 Illuminations: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Supper With Santa: Carrabba’s Wednesday, December 16 Illuminations: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Supper With Santa: Molino’s
Hey Members! The 2016 Botanica Calendar is available now!
GET YOURS TODAY! Page 18 | www.botanica.org
december ‘15 to february 2016
Thursday, December 31 Illuminations: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve
January Friday, January 1 Closed for New Year’s Day Saturday, January 2 Botanica Closed Sunday, January 3 Botanica Closed Monday, January 4 Normal Winter Hours Resume
december ‘15 to february 2016
CALENDAR
Wednesday, January 6 LTL — A Royal Tour of England; Lunch at 11 a.m. - Lecture at 12:15 p.m.
Wednesday, February 3 LTL — Bird Photography; Lunch at 11 a.m. - Lecture at 12:15 p.m.
Thursday, January 7 Home Grown Education - Garden Vertebrates: 1 p.m. (Ages: K to 5th)
Thursday, February 4 Home Grown Education - Cycles in Nature: 1 p.m. (Ages: K to 5th)
Friday, January 8 Home Grown Education - Garden Vertebrates: 1 p.m. (Ages: K to 5th)
Adult Class: Come Dance With Us!: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 12 Garden Sprouts - Goodnight Moon: 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. (Ages: 3 to 5) Wednesday, January 13 LTL — Thirteen Years of Wichita on Wheels (Collector Cars!); Lunch at 11 a.m. - Lecture at 12:15 p.m. Monday, January 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Botanica Closed Tuesday, January 19 Volunteer Soup/Chili Game Day: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 20 LTL — What’s Wrong With Heirlooms? Lunch at 11 a.m. - Lecture at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, January 21 Seasonal Studies - Ethi-Reasoning: 1 p.m. (Ages: Tweens to Teens) Wednesday, January 27 LTL — Hot Artisan Breads and Soup!; Lunch at 11 a.m. - Lecture at 12:15 p.m.
february Tuesday, February 2 Groundhog Day
Friday, February 5 Home Grown Education - Cycles in Nature: 1 p.m. (Ages: K to 5th)
Family
fun fair
Saturday, February 6 Family Fun Fair: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesday, February 9 Garden Sprouts - Little Snowflakes: 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. (Ages: 3 to 5) Wednesday, February 10 Friends of Botanica Meeting: 8:45 a.m. Volunteer Coffee: 10 a.m. LTL — Power Flowers! New Annuals Tested to Survive the Wichita Area; Lunch at 11 a.m. - Lecture at 12:15 p.m.
ILLUminations
shuttle parking During Illuminations, additional parking and shuttle service will be available for our guests on the following days: Fri. 11/27 & Sat. 11/28 Wed. 12/2, Thur. 12/3, Fri. 12/4 & Sat. 12/5 Wed. 12/9, Thurs. 12/10, Fri. 12/11 & Sat. 12/12 Wed. 12/16, Thurs. 12/17, Fri. 12/18, Sat. 12/19, Sun. 12/20, Mon. 12/21, Tues. 12/22 & Wed. 12/23
Park in the south parking lot across from the Wichita Art Museum on Museum Blvd. where shuttles will pick up passengers every 10 minutes. Shuttles begin at 5:30 p.m. and will make final pick ups from Botanica’s south gate at 8:15.
Sunday, February 14 Happy Valentine’s Day
IN OUR
Monday, February 15 Presidents’ Day Botanica Closed
Dec. through Feb.:
GALLERY Photo Contest Winners
Wednesday, February 17 LTL — Great Tea Adventures in Taiwan; Lunch at 11 a.m. - Lecture at 12:15 p.m.
Lobby Art Sponsored by:
Wednesday, February 24 LTL — Growing Small Fruit in Kansas; Lunch at 11 a.m. - Lecture at 12:15 p.m. December 2015• January • February 2016
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Chinese Mural: Porcelain Name Inscriptions THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE! Inscribe your name into the blue and white porcelain design that will ornament the entryway inside the Chinese Garden of Friendship. The remaining garden-facing tiles comprise a porcelain mural of a traditional Chinese landscape to include mountains, ornamental trees, bamboo, cranes, koi fish, lily pads and more. As pictured below, a calligraphic drawing of your name can be inscribed into the mural design. The examples below demonstrate the images available, with the names limited to the numbers below. Leave your legacy at Botanica.
Hills (sold out)
Lily Pad (8)
Tree in Mountains (4)
Crane (10)
Mountains (8)
Crane in Flight (8)
Willow Tree (sold out)
Bamboo (4)
Koi (8)
To become a part of the completion of the Chinese Garden of Friendship, please contact Jamee Ross, Director of Development, at jross@botanica.org or 264-0448 ext. 105. Page 20 | www.botanica.org
VOLUNTEERS Volunteer Opportunities Illuminations Our biggest volunteer event of the year, Illuminations offers 33 evenings of spectacular lights facilitated by wonderful volunteers. Positions are available inside and out. If you haven’t already signed up to help, please make sure and do so soon. Cookie and candy donations are always needed. Help share the holiday magic. Family Fun Fair This annual one-day event is a tradition of our volunteer program and offers a variety of FREE fun indoor activities and crafts for the families in our community. If you love kids, don’t miss out on this great opportunity to get out and generate smiles on faces. Volunteer Coffees Get great information about upcoming events and opportunities as you meet new people at our Volunteer Coffees. Light refreshments are provided by REGENT Senior Living and The Spice Merchant. Soup/Chili Game Day Back by popular demand, this event is a great opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy the company of other volunteers and staff. Bring a snack or your soup/chili to share. Prizes will be awarded for the best soup and chili. New games and guests are welcome.
Thanks to our Volunteer Sponsors:
Call michael flanagan
at 316.264.0448 ext. 103 or visit botanica.org to sign up or for more information!
Friends of Botanica (FOB) Meetings 8:45 a.m. every 2nd Wednesday before Volunteer Coffee
Volunteer Coffee Wednesday, Dec. 9: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10: 10 a.m. Light refreshments provided by The Regent
Garden Guide Meetings There will be no meetings until March 2016
Weed & Feed/ Seasonal planting days/ Cultivate saturdays There are no special planting days for the months of Dec., Jan. or Feb.
Soup/Chili Game DAy Tuesday, Jan. 19: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Illuminations Lights Take-down Any weekday in Jan. and Feb., weather permitting.
Special Events: Illuminations: Nov. 27 – Dec. 31: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. (closed Christmas Eve & Day) Family Fun Fair: Saturday, Feb. 6: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Prep days: Friday, Jan. 29 at 9 a.m. & Friday, Feb. 5 at 1 p.m.)
December 2015• January • February 2016
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Patterson & Lee Patterson Linda Peltzer Katie Partridge Sid & Teresa Rose
TRIBUTES In Honor of: Ilene Bomhoff Bim Braddock Jodi Gieser Sunset Heights FCE
In Memory of: Gwendolyn Beth Cortner Fleeson, Gooing, Coulson & Kitch, LLC Robert Krug Peggy Krug Leona Heath Wooton Danny Lawson Judith Manning Treva Hall Melissa Matthes Tom & Christie Triplett Greg McHenry Max Thompson Nick Tipton Dick Weidenbach Nancy Mortko Chick Danny Lawson L.L. “Buck” Perry Dick Weidenbach Marge Vernon Margie Lou Roehr Danny Lawson Kathryn McCune Leta Louise Nye Sanders Dennis & Marilyn Albright Beverly Bolton Fleeson, Gooing, Coulson & Kitch, LLC Marian Sihvola James Cassel Jr. & Family Terry & Dorothy McManis Dawn Neubauer & Family
Page 22 | www.botanica.org
Donations received
aug. - oct. 2015
Mona Smith Shelley Von Merveldt
Wayne & Mary Ellen Wagner
Bill & Sylvia Stewart Marilyn Farthing & Lynn Stewart
Additional Memorials for:
Chris & Kortney Traylor
Jerry Gaddis Justus Fugate Joan Seaton Richard Rumsey Dick Weidenbach Sylvia Stewart J Marlene Hendrixson Santa Fe High School
Engraved Bricks & Pavers Ilene Bomhoff Carolyn & Dick Woods Wanda Claassen Cara Kliewer Beth Cortner Gary & Diane Cortner Meredith Decorab Michelle Felix John & Linda Flakes Frank & Opal Jones Bernadine Vulgamore Janet Krack Bill Loyd Betsy Anderson Melissa Matthes Jody Wickham Becky Martin John Brown Roy III, Hannah, Katelyn & Logan McFarland Hazel Moore Bill Patterson, Gene
Chinese Garden of Friendship: Name Inscriptions Jean Wellshear
Supporting Memberships Seed: Dave & Jan Adams Nick & Kathy Anderson David & Mona Bergen Rob & Heather Bohaty Marsha Bowers Doug Brehm Britt & Lynn Brown Jonathan & Jennifer Brown Art Busch Kathy Camden John & Betty Campbell Chris & Shelly Cannady John & Cindy Carnahan Benito Carrillo Michael Cobb Kelly Davidson Holli Davis Jason DeAquair Jim Donecker Richard & Joquetta Dove Kristine Driskill Kelly & Julie Dunkelberger Polly Dye John & Bernice Esau Jim & Diane Felt Timothy Fey Robert & Barbara Fleeman Wayne & Glenda Foster Barb Fowler Ivan & Rose Anne Frey Keith & Deborah Fulton Ellen Garcia Jeff & Carrie Gnagy Adam & Jenny Gregg Patrick Habkirk Jay & Arraya Hall Arlen & Renee Hamilton
Rhea Hartley Dustin & Sky Hendricks Robert Herrington Julie Hey Patricia Hommertzheim Jim & Barbara Hoppins Myron & Betty Janzen Jim & Cathie Jantz Mike & Susan Kandt Carl & Jane Kenney Rick & Diane Klingman Delmar & Mary Klocke Michael & Tammy Kniffin Charles Koch Sandi Kudsi Jordan & Rain Lane Carolyn Langenwalter Kathy Lindsey Mary Ann Lowry Robert & Susan Mann Jacque Matson Terry & Sheri McMillen James & Beverly Mershon John & Ann Miles Joe & Trudy Miller Wade & Jeni Morehead Kathy Morgan Ronald & Pat Myers Walt & Nikki Nelson C. Hugh & Linda Nicks William & Teresa Pennington Dr. Sheldon & Belinda Preskorn Aaron & Ellen Rife Sharri Riley Frank & Rita Peterson Kimberly Reeves Mapes Jack Richardson Elizabeth Robledo Jacklynn Rodriguez Brian & Stephanie Sanders Karen Sanders-West Jim & Andrea Scarpelli Charles & Colleen Schmidt Ron & Vicky Sealey Chris & Kathleen Setser Eric & Karen Sevart Julie & Abby Sheppard Sandra & Jessica Shryack Jay & Debbie Smith Carl & Kayla Sobie David & Natalie Sollo Don Stahr Karel & Christy Stepanek Doug & Lu Stephens John & Ruth Strunk Thomas & Kathryn Suchan Donald & Josephine Tan James & Betty Taylor
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Continued from Page 22 Paul & Joyce Taylor Christine Trabue Tom & Christie Triplett Harriet Van Beeber Pat & Susan Walston Mary Ward Jean Peek Wellshear Nina Williams Tracy Woodman Marcie Zwygart Sprout: Arthur & Helen Binford Bud & Toni Gates J. Fred & Christine Kubik Jay & Carolyn Schlegel Jerome & Sue Striet Anthony & Denise Veith Alan & Roberta Whetzel Bud: Marilyn Case Jefferson & Janine Forrest Edward & Helen Healy Dale & Alice Wiggins Charlie & Nancy Wilson Bloom: Phil & Sherry Anderson
Recent Gifts: David & Kristin Alverson Bank of America Mr. & Mrs. Bob Buford Rigby Carey Jeff & Tammy Carmichael Terry Cassady Central Plains Area Agency On Aging Michele Cocking College Hill Customs Jill Docking Leslie Donovan Barry & Paula Downing Dan & Mardi Engel Steve English
Mary Eves DeeAnne Fahnestock Fahnestock Plumbing, HVAC & Electric John & Joanie Firsching John & Jane Foster Helen Galloway Anne Garvey Kathy Goree Brandon & Kim Haag Gial Kaegi Kansas Orchid Society Mark & Susan Kiefer Lee & Julie Knudson Bob & Jacque Lane Dr. Don & Phyllis Malzahn Paul & Melissa Mangan Matthew & Nancy Michaelis Joe & Trudy Miller Marty & Cindy Miller Jeff & Mary Jane Mullen Russ & Helen Meyer Net App Kevin & Kelsey Nichols Linda Peltzer PEO Chapter I-EW Jay & Julie Prater Nate & Sarah Purdum Geney Reed Ed & Lee Ritchie Diane Schuetz Scott & Janet Schwindaman John & Mary Shawver William & Vicki Skaer Judith Slawson Valerie Soens Laurie & Lance Spence Standard Beverage Jamie & Kelly Steinhauser Ryan & Camille Stuckey Suburban Garden Club Steve & Lisa Sutherland Richard & Nicola Swan Chris & Katie Swyers TCK – The Trust Company of Kansas Martha Vliet
Mollie Wetta Wichita Bar Association Wichita Daylily Club Charlie & Nancy Wilson Matthew & Janice Wunderlich Don & Janice Zerbe
In Kind: Beard’s Floral DeFazio’s Steve English Justus Fugate Furniture Options Intrust Bank Arena Kansas Candy & Tobacco Tom Martin Meg Mathewson Nifty Nut House The Orpheum Theatre The Spice Merchant Tammy Wagner
ghoulish gala: Abuelo’s Adventures of Kansas Ageless MedSpa Allegro Café Allison Fun Inc. American Fun Foods Ann’s Fashions Aspen Boutique B & C BBQ Beau Monde Beauty Dot Bell’s Carpet Bella Luz Ben & Kelly Brophy Best of Times Beyond Napa & Pinot’s Palette Bicycle X-Change Bite Me Barbeque Blue Moon Broken Spokes Clydesdales Cameo Cakes
Candle Club Care to Dance Cero’s Chateau Holidays City Arts Coleman College Hill Customs Corporate Caterers Cowskin Creek Clydesdales Crown Uptown David & Mickey Brown Donut Hole Doug Hahn Photography Extraordinaire Salon & Boutique Extravaganza Flying Pig Fox & Hound Fringe Salon Garden of Eatin’ Gessler’s Gianni Bacci Glazer’s GM Clothes Horse Great Plains Transportation Museum Hair Rocks Hatman Jack’s Helene Longhofer Hotel at Old Town ICT Music & Art Magazine Il Vicino Imagine That Toys Intrust Bank Arena Jackye Tate James & Joanne Swayze Jeri Bellinger Jim & Jana Northcutt Joe’s Carwash Joyland Kernel’s Popcorn Express LLC La Galette Larksfield Place Lawrence Photo Print & Frame Loony Bin Live Lucinda’s
Continued on Page 24
HEY MEMBERS: LAST CHANCE! RENEW TODAY Love all the great benefits of your Botanica membership? Or maybe you’d like to gift one to a friend for the holidays? Renew or sign-up before JAN. 1 to receive 2015 prices. Contact Natalie at 316-264-0448 ext. 107 to learn more or keep your eyes peeled for an informative postcard coming to your homes soon. Either way, we love our members and we want to keep providing you with top-notch services. Thanks for helping our garden grow!
December 2015• January • February 2016
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Continued from Page 23 Madame Mystique Margarita’s Cantina Matt Hess McILwaine Foundation McMullen Jewelry Mike Seltzer Jewelers Mosley Street Melodrama Muller Chiropractic Neighbors Oh Yeah China Bistro Old Chicago Old Mill Tasty Shop Overhead Door Company Polished Nail Salon Raben Dentistry Rainbow Bread Randy & Jacque Coonrod Randy Cooper’s Fine Jewelry Razook’s Furniture
Red Robin Reverie Coffee Roasters Riverside Hair Station Ron Stowell Scotch & Sirloin Seasonal Decorating Shine Signatures Sim’s Golf Course Spangles Specs Steve & Gena Dillard Sugar Salon Sweet Cheeks Babies Tad’s Locker Room Tahini Mediterranean Eatery Terry Cassady The Chocolate Fountain Event Rentals The Cotillion
The Hill Bar & Grill The Orpheum The Plaid Giraffe The Sewing Center The Spice Merchant The Trust Company of Kansas The Uncommon Market Twisted Confections Vagabond Warren Jones Warren Theater Waterfront Waterwalk Hotel Well Done Wendy’s Wind On My Wings Wine Dive Yo-B Zsa Zsa Slipper
Garden council elects bill ethridge as new president Bill Ethridge was elected in the November meeting to take the reins of the Wichita Area Garden Council to serve as 2016 President. He fills the position previously held by Karl Miller. This position also gives Ethridge a seat on Botanica’s Board of Trustees. “We’re thrilled to keep growing our partnerships with the Garden Council,” said Botanica Executive Director Marty Miller. “Bill will do a great job representing the area garden clubs.” Page 24 | www.botanica.org
INTRODUCING If you’re one of the hundreds of volunteers who give generously to Botanica with your time and service, chances are you’ve already bumped into Michael Flanagan, our new Director of Volunteer Services. Michael joined us in September, traveling to Kansas from Huntsville, Alabama, where he was the volunteer coordinator for the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Michael jumped right into Botanica, working three major events in his first month between Zen, BOOtanica and Ghoulish Gala. “I’m thrilled to join such a fantastic team and having such a magnanimous base of volunteers just makes my job that much easier,” Michael said of his new position. “I’m looking forward to meeting all the new faces and hopefully expanding Botanica’s volunteer reach even further.” To reach Michael, call 316-264-0448 ext. 103 and learn more about volunteering.
In The Gardens 1 2 5 3
6 4
7
1: ZEN: AN ALFRESCO EVENT - SEPT. 11. Lily Wu (Right) hangs with Miss Asian Festival during Botanica’s annual fundraiser. More than 700 attended. • 2: GHOULISH GALA - OCT. 23. Andrew Gough, owner of Reverie Coffee Roasters, gets into the steampunk spirit for our Halloween Party for Grown-Ups. • 3: No place was safe from spooks or Weeping Angel photobombs. • 4: The costume contest attracted lots of creative ideas, including Flo & Mayhem, a finalist in the couple’s category. • 5: TUESDAYS ON THE TERRACE - SEPT. 29. The final concert
of the summer season, featuring crowd favorites The Mudbugs Cajun & Zydeco Band, drew more than 950 people to Botanica to close down the season. • 6: During the final concert, Botanica Community Relations Coordinator Kianga Kelley announced the winner of the 2016 Poster Competition: Gwen Rose, whose poster will be available this year. • 7: BOOTANICA - OCT. 10. Kids, costumes and families filled the garden, drawing a record single-day crowd of 5,100 to our fall festival. — Photos by Jon Pic & Janie Lang.
December 2015• January • February 2016
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RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED 701 Amidon • Wichita, Kansas • 67203
Photo by James Williams: Families in Wichita are making Illuminations a lasting holiday tradition. Have you seen it? Marty Miller Executive Director
Natalie Mahaffay Director of Membership
Kianga Kelley Community Relations
Hannah Heuston Food Services Coordinator
Patrick McKernan Landscape Supervisor
Kathy Osler Director of Finance
Jamee Ross Director of Development
Michael Flanagan Director of Volunteers
Mitzie Hall Outreach & Tour Coordinator
Hours of Operation Year-Round Open Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Kate Sheppard Director of the Downing Children’s Garden
Kristina Lewis Education Specialist
Linda Keller Private & Corporate Events Director Kathy Sweeney Director of Special Events
Laurel Nichols Seasonal Educator Kyle Christensen Administrative Assistant Lisa Reddell Senior Admin. Rentals
Page 26 | www.botanica.org
Jon Pic Director of Marketing & Communications Garden Staff: Kate Baker Connie Bell Janet Gordon Andrew Jahn Kim Matthews Ethan Parsons Albert Tack Shannon Vierthaler
Extended Hours April through September Tuesday & Thursday until 8 p.m. & Sunday 1-5 p.m. April through October Sunday 1-5 p.m. Botanica is maintained by Botanica, Inc. in cooporation with the City of Wichita Department of Parks & Recreation.
General Information The Gift Garden: Class Registration
316-264-0448 ext. 106 ext. 117
Donations & Planned Giving Event Information Facilities Rentals Membership Memorial Gifts Volunteer Services
ext. 105 ext. 110 ext. 104 ext. 107 ext. 107 ext. 103
Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, shall be a significant horticultural display garden for the enjoyment and education of the community that sets the standard of excellence for botanical gardens in the Midwest.