MN Arboretum Magazine Apr May 2023

arboretum magazine

Spring in Bloom

FROM THE DIRECTOR

PETER C. MOE

Starting with the snowdrops that emerge when the drifts retreat — and advancing with spring ephemerals (page 6), Dutch iris flowers and forsythia blossoms (page 7) — the season continues to ramp up with magnolias by the dozens and daffodils by the tens of thousands.

As April turns to May (usually), the colors at the Arboretum reach a fever pitch with tulips rising up in all colors (40,000 of them this year as seen on page 3), followed by beloved lilacs (page 5), stunning crabapples (pictured) and, one of my favorites, hardy redbuds bred right here at the Arboretum.

There’s truly no better place to experience this veritable parade of blooms than at the Arb, where staff have an incredible knack for planning, planting and caring for all of the above plants.

Spring can sometimes feel like it’s been a long time coming in Minnesota — often a bit behind the calendar and usually much behind the rest of the country.

But maybe that’s what makes the season so fulfilling and spectacular at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

APRIL/MAY 2023, VOL. 42, NO. 2

Indeed, they have a way of seeing, despite the depths of snow and the fickleness of the season, how to turn natural wonders into educational and infinitely photographable displays.

I welcome you to come to the Arboretum and explore this spring to see what catches your eye, your intellect and your heart!

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Magazine is published six times a year by the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The Arboretum is part of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) at the University of Minnesota. The magazine is a benefit of Arboretum membership. To request a copy of this publication in an alternate format, please call 612-301-1257.

© 2023 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Sarah Jackson & Tom Lany, Interim Editors

Brenda Drake Lesch, Art Director

Peter C. Moe, Director, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Alan Branhagen, Director of Operations

Timothy S. Kenny, Director of Education

Susan Taylor, Ph.D., Director of Advancement

Matthew Clark, Ph.D., Director of Research

Tom Lany, Marketing, Communications & PR Manager

Glenn Stolar, President, Arboretum Foundation arb.umn.edu 612-624-2200 arbinfo@umn.edu

Cover photo by Jason Boudreau-Landis

Photo by Michael Borg

What is it about tulips that makes them so beloved, so legendary, around the world?

Native to Kazakhstan, the tulip was prized by the conquering Ottoman Empire, and later brought to Austria, Germany, Belgium and Holland in the 1600s. Tulips have been admired throughout the ages for their unparalleled beauty.

Widespread obsession with the bulbs’ captivating colors exploded so wildly during the Dutch Golden Age that the first economic “bubble” was born. Tulip mania sent prices skyrocketing for coveted varieties, only to crash later when the flowers’ market value couldn’t keep up.

At the Arboretum, some 400 years later, a modern-day tulip mania erupts every spring when visitors begin to inquire daily: “Are the tulips blooming yet?”

It’s a question that Arboretum Horticulturist Duane Otto knows well. Otto, who has designed the tulip displays at the Arboretum for the past 34 years, uses tulip bulbs like a painter uses a palette.

This year’s displays — designed, ordered, prepped and planted throughout the grounds last fall — will include more than 40,000 tulips in a stunning 135 varieties!

Otto can’t wait to see the results of his designs and the work of staff and volunteers. “Tulips,” he said, “have uniquely translucent petals.”

“In the spring, when the sun shines, the light goes through the tulips and makes them glow,” Otto said. “They’re different from other flowers. They become illuminated.”

For this year’s theme of embracing diversity, Alan Branhagen, Operations Director at the Arboretum, challenged Otto to showcase the diversity u

SARAH JACKSON • PR / MEDIA SPECIALIST

Photo by Jason Boudreau-Landis

of nature found in tulips, including colors, of course, but also the surprising array of tulip flower forms.

These include lily (with pointed petals), double or peony, fringed (with feathery petal tips), parrot (heavily fringed and scalloped), single-flower Darwin hybrids, viridiflora (green accents in the petals), one late-blooming species and multi-stemmed varieties that produce more than one flower per stem.

Otto couldn’t be more excited about this year’s displays, which will include big, bold and rich colors in the Annual Garden — the largest and most magnificent display of tulips at the Arboretum.

Every variety will have a marker identifying the type of tulip — and its cultivar name — for gardeners who may want to research varieties for their own gardens next spring.

‘Red Princess,’ ‘Texas Gold,’ ‘King’s Orange,’ ‘Purple Dream,’ ‘Spring Green’ (white and lime green) and the almost-black ‘Paul Scherer’ will be

some of the brightest and boldest hues.

For visitors who want to see more delicate or pastel colors, Otto designed displays to demonstrate diversity of that palette in the gardens around the Snyder Building with varieties such as ‘Creme Upstar,’ featuring soft pinks, yellows and oranges in a single flower.

Tulips will be blooming all around the display gardens, including the entrance areas, the gardens around the visitor center and the Home Demonstration Garden.

One of the most unusual varieties this year is ‘Bull’s Eye,’ a richly double green flower enhanced by petals that emerge bright red from the center as if to mark a bull’s eye. ‘Ice Cream’ is another double-decker type tulip that Otto said will turn heads with double, frilly, creamy white “vanilla” petals surrounded by a "cone" of rosy red and green petals.

Visit arb.umn.edu/garden-highlights every Thursday, for updates on what’s in bloom this spring, including daffodils, magnolias, tulips, lilacs and crabapples as they come into season.

Tulip forms in the Arboretum’s tulip displays include lily, parrot, fringed, double, peony and more.

Photos by Susie Hopper (portrait); Jason Boudreau-Landis (far left); Edna Dudinsky (top middle); Jason Boudreau-Landis (top right); Mark MacLennan (bottom middle); Don Olson (bottom right)

Duane Otto

ALAN BRANHAGEN • DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Lilacs are iconic Upper Midwest shrubs beloved for their memoryinducing, lovely fragrance. Lilac is also a color we generally think of as a lavender-blue. But lilacs, the shrub, have blooms in a range of colors from white to purple. In fact, the International Lilac Society has created eight color classifications: I) white II) violet III) blue IV) lilac V) pink VI) magenta and VII) purple. The extra “eighth” class has no Roman numeral: Unique!

The Arboretum’s collection of lilacs includes varieties in all classifications. We invite you to our gardens to discover this colorful diversity by experiencing the visual delight in person. A camera can’t capture the subtleties. Like a fine wine, the color varies from bud to full

I) White — ‘Betsy Ross,’ ‘Gertrude Leslie,’ ‘Mount Baker’ and ‘Sister Justina’

bloom and also by how warm or cold the springtime temperature is while they bloom. Below are descriptions of the eight lilac color classes and varieties at the Arb that fit each class.

The Lilac Collection along the Arboretum entrance and north of the Snyder Building will be moving this summer. The Arb plans to create a new, premier lilac collection along Three-Mile Dive just past the Chinese Garden. The new location will allow for expansion, better displays and interpretation of this beloved shrub. All the plants in the existing garden will be propagated or transplanted to the new site after their 2023 bloom time. Stay tuned for updates in he coming months.

II) Violet — lavender-purplish, but more purple-blue: Cutleaf lilac (Syringa x laciniata), ‘Imants Ziedonis’ and ‘Miss Kim’

III) Blue — never pure blue, but close: ‘Dappled Dawn,’ ‘Decaisne,’ ‘Wedgwood Blue’ and ‘Wonderblue’

IV) Lilac — lavender-purplish, but with more pinkish tones: ‘Excel’ and ‘Henri Martin’

V) Pink — clear pinks are rare in lilacs, so they usually have shades of lavender or magenta: ‘Edouard Andre,’ ‘Maiden’s Blush’ and ‘Marie Frances’

VI) Magenta — bright purplish-red, often with carmine or crimson tones: ‘Evangeline’ and ‘Mme F. Morel’

VII) Purple — mostly deep reddish blue-purple: ‘Andenken an Ludwig Spath’ and ‘Sarah Sands’

Unique — have characteristics not ordinarily seen, including yellow tones, rayed, striped or lighter-edged flowers: ‘Albert F. Holden,’ ‘Primrose’ and ‘Sensation’

The eight color classifications of lilacs span from white to deep reddish blue-purple.

NATURE FOCUS

The warming days of spring are heralded by the sunny, cheerful notes of robins and bluebirds as they return from their southern winter homes. The Chippewa peoples believed Seejwun was the “spirit of spring” who, upon his return, said: “I breathe and flowers spring up in the meadows and woods.”

One of these flowers is the small delicate ephemeral known as Virginia springbeauty (Claytonia virginica) with its pairs of smooth linear leaves and pink white flowers. It would be hard to find springbeauty among the larger, showier ephemerals of springtime if it weren’t for its incredible abundance. Every May, I visit the Kruger Recreational Area outside of my hometown of Wabasha, Minn. Here the hillsides

bordering the Zumbro River are carpeted in pink with tens of thousands of springbeauty plants — a fantastic sight that has to be seen to be believed.

Unlike most living organisms, springbeauty has an unstable number of chromosomes, at least 50 different combinations, which makes it a plant of interest to geneticists. It has a tuberous root, which is called “fairy spud” and can be eaten like miniature potatoes.

Iroquois peoples used the powdered root infused in water to treat children suffering from convulsions. The raw roots were eaten as a contraceptive. The root was sliced and put in water to ward off witches and to help the deceased move on to the other realms. Another name for springbeauty was “pig root” because pigs

feasted on the tubers.

Like other spring ephemerals, springbeauty has seeds covered with an oily substance called elaiosomes. Ants disperse the seeds by carrying them back to their burrows where they eat the fatty exterior, but leave the seeds undamaged. This mutualism is beneficial to both springbeauty and the ants.

At the Arboretum, springbeauty can be found in the Dayton Wildflower Garden scattered among the many species of vivid wildflowers. It symbolizes rebirth and renewal, giving us the energy to push forward.

“Old man winter disappears and children pick spring beauties” are words to help warm us on any remaining dark, cold nights.

MATT SCHUTH • NATURALIST

Claytonia virginica (Virginia springbeauty) flowers in a field.

Photo by Fredlyfish4 | Wikimedia Commons

Flower-Hardy Forsythias

STEVE MCNAMARA • CURATOR OF WOODY PLANTS STAN C. HOKANSON • PROFESSOR, WOODY LANDSCAPE PLANT BREEDING & GENETICS

The beautiful golden flowers of forsythia are a happy harbinger of spring’s arrival in the northland. Typically blooming in late March or early April in central Minnesota, they provide a welcome splash of vibrant color to the generally dreary landscape when little else is in bloom.

The genus Forsythia comprises approximately a dozen species of tough, adaptable deciduous shrubs that typically grow 5-10 feet high and wide. Native to China, Japan, Korea and the Balkan region of Eastern Europe, they have been cultivated for centuries for their beautiful flowers as well as for medicinal properties of their fruits and seeds.

Although not native to North America, forsythia shrubs have long been grown in U.S. gardens. Plant breeders in Europe and the

U.S. have introduced dozens of cultivars selected for smaller stature, superior bloom or variegated foliage. Previous studies at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum indicated that, while many varieties of forsythia will survive in Minnesota, they differ substantially in their ability to bloom after a cold winter.

In 2012, we were able to obtain 57 forsythia genotypes from the extensive collection of the Arnold Arboretum in Boston, Massachusetts, for the purpose of conducting a more comprehensive evaluation of forsythia cold tolerance. These plants, along with 10 additional cultivars obtained from commercial nursery sources, were planted out in a replicated trial plot along Three-Mile Drive at the Arboretum in 2014.

Over the past decade, we have collected data on

their performance, including timing and quantity of bloom, flower size and color and overall plant size. Preliminary results from this trial have identified the cultivars ‘Happy Centennial,’ ‘Meadowlark,’ ‘New Hampshire Gold,’ ‘Northern Gold,’ ‘Northern Sun’ (a University of Minnesota introduction), ‘Sunrise’ and Arnold Arboretum accessions of Forsythia europaea, Forsythia giraldiana, Forsythia mandshurica, Forsythia ovata and Forsythia viridissima var. koreana as possessing the best flowerbud hardiness and overall performance.

When completed, results of this study will help inform the nursery industry and gardening public about which forsythia varieties are suitable for growing in Minnesota and will also aid the efforts of our plant breeding program in developing hardy new varieties.

While not dead, the forsythia on the left is not flower-bud hardy, which is typical of many forsythia cultivars grown in Minnesota.

Photo by Steve McNamara

Instructor Karen Campbell connects people to nature through close-up photography and keen observation. A new series of online classes shares her knowledge with enthusiasts of all levels.

Tell us about your photography journey.

My photography started as a photo journal to document bees and other arthropods on our four-acre property — a corn field that we have restored to native species. Now I share these photo-journalistic stories to encourage others to learn about insects and native plants, to contribute to scientific knowledge and to help others learn photography.

Why is it important to photograph the natural world?

Macro photography (a form of close-up photography) shows us, in detail, what is right in front of our eyes, but that we can’t easily see. By bringing awareness to the amazing world around us, I hope to encourage people to create and protect native habitat in their own yards and communities.

Tell us about a time when your photography went all wrong. Outdoor macro shots go wrong all the time! Shallow depth of field, weather and insects faster than the shutter are a constant. Sometimes I forget to check my settings before I shoot. Try taking an action shot when the 12-second exposure delay is on!

Why teach about your photographic practice? Close-up photography has unique challenges that can be frustrating without understanding what’s going on. I teach about these underlying issues, but I also want to teach people to be creative and explore their own style.

Take an online photography class with Karen Campbell:

• Spring Wildflowers | April 18

• Beautiful Buds | May 16

• Butterflies, Moths & Caterpillars | July 18

• Magnificent Mushrooms | Aug. 15

• Spectacular Seeds & Fantastic Fruits | Sept. 7

• Discovering a World of Pollinators: A Photographer's Field Guide | June 13

• The Art of Up Close: Macro Nature Photography | June 20

Browse all photography classes and register at z.umn.edu/arb-photography-classes

Photography instructor Karen Campbell works in the field.

Photo by Gary Campbell

JEFF ISEMINGER • CONTRIBUTING WRITER

There could be no better antidote for the grinchy aversion to the noise!noise!-noise! of children than 92-year-old Betty Sutton MacMillan, for whom the sounds of happy kids are the tinkling of joy.

“I have 12 great-grandchildren,” she said, “and I enjoy every minute of their noise.”

So when Betty had lunch at the Arboretum last fall with her sister Harriet Norgren and nephew Jim Hield, she was delighted by what she heard — the giggles and chatter of kids pouring out of school buses to discover the annual Scarecrows in the Garden.

“They were just having fun,” she said with a smile.

You may have heard the MacMillan name, as in the Betty and Whitney MacMillan Auditorium

in the Oswald Visitor Center and the MacMillan Hosta Glade, which features a Paul Granlund sculpture.

Betty met her husband-to-be Whitney in high school, and they were married for 69 years until his death in 2020. Whitney was CEO of Cargill from 1976 to 1995.

His mother, Pauline, was “a wonderful motherin-law who was very conservation-minded,” Betty said. In fact, Pauline introduced Betty to the Arboretum, which Pauline helped establish through the Lake Minnetonka Garden Club.

Betty and Whitney established a lifetime relationship with the Arboretum, in part because of its educational mission.

“Youth experience, especially pre-K through third grade, leads to adult success,” Betty said.

“Every time you go to the Arboretum, it’s such an occasion to learn.”

Demand for that time in nature has been rising. So, to cap off decades of support, Betty recently decided to make the single largest gift in Arboretum history, laser-focused on welcoming more visitors safely.

You’ll witness the transformative impacts of her investment, starting in 2024 — a new AppleHouse in a new location, new entrances and exits, more parking and improved traffic flow.

“It’s needed,” she said.

And to Betty, building infrastructure for welcoming more people to the Arboretum carries with it a wondrous outcome — even more “noise” from the mouths of children.

Betty Sutton MacMillan

Photo by Rebecca Slater

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH

May 14

Honor Mom with a buffet meal served in the MacMillan Auditorium, followed by a walk or drive to see thousands of spring blooms in all areas of the Arboretum. Look for a menu and reservation information at arb.umn.edu/content/mothers-day-brunch.

MAY MARKETS

April 29-May 28

Stroll through the Arboretum’s captivating spring blooms while shopping from 60 local artisans during select weekends in May as part of your ticketed daily admission. Check out your favorite sellers from past years and discover new ones. Markets will be open (rain or shine) 10 a.m-4 p.m. April 29-30, May 6-7, May 20-21 and May 27-28. Explore vendors and get tickets at arb.umn.edu/events/may-markets

Full Pink Moon Hike

April 6, 7:30-10:30 p.m.

Enjoy a self-guided 0.75-mile hike around Green Heron Pond, which will be lit with pink uplights, illuminating the surrounding landscape, while basking in the glow of the Full Pink Moon. Arboretum Horticulturist Annie Gunness will answer any questions about early springtime blooms at the Arboretum.Reservations are $5 for members and ages 15 and younger and $20 for non-members. Get tickets (required) at arb.umn.edu/fullmoonhikes

EASTER BRUNCH

April 9

Enjoy a spring brunch on Easter Sunday with a buffet meal served in the MacMillan Auditorium followed by a stroll through the gardens. Look for a complete menu at arb.umn.edu/content/easterbrunch. Reservations include admission to the Arboretum.

Auxiliary Quilt Raffle

May 14-Oct. 7

This 2023 Arboretum Auxiliary fund-raising quilt is a whimsical collection of woodland creatures that will bring a smile to your face. It showcases flowers, animals and birds that are frequently found in Minnesota. The original pattern for the quilt is based on patterns from Lorna McMahon with several adaptations made to reflect our unique environment. Look for this artistic creation on display in the Oswald Visitor Center's Great Hall starting May 14. Tickets are $2 each. A drawing will be held in the Snyder Auditorium on Oct. 7 as part of the Auxiliary’s Annual Harvest Sale. Learn more at arb.umn.edu/auxiliary.

Photo by Phil Zumsteg

Knit & Stitch Auxiliary

April and May, 10 a.m.-noon

Spend a morning knitting, crocheting, hand sewing and handcrafting with the Arboretum Auxiliary on select Wednesdays and Fridays — April 5, 14, 19 and 28 and May 5, 10, 19 and 24. Bring your project and materials to the Azalea Classroom in the Oswald Visitor Center. Auxiliary members can help you get started and answer questions. This event is included with daily ticketed admission. See arb.umn.edu/auxiliary.

PRIVATE GARDEN TOURS

Tickets go on sale April 26. Take a trip with the Arboretum Auxiliary on luxury air-conditioned motor coaches to tour specially selected private gardens in the community, followed by Sunday brunch, Sunday evening hors d'oeuvres or weekday lunch. Dates are Sunday, July 16 (daytime or sunset); Monday, July 17; and Tuesday, July 18. A portion of the fee is a tax-deductible contribution to the Arboretum Auxiliary. Register at arb.umn.edu/GardenTours. Call and leave a message at 612-625-9865 with questions.

ARBOR DAY

April 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Celebrate the Arboretum’s tree collections and the national holiday that honors the planting, upkeep and preservation of trees. Festivities will include “tree mobs” at key locations around the grounds with presentations and question-and-answer sessions with Arboretum tree experts. Tree bingo, forest bathing and picnicking will be encouraged! This event is included with daily ticketed admission.

BUD BREAK RUN, WALK, 5K

May 7, 7:30-11:30 a.m.

Welcome spring with a gorgeous 5K run/walk through the Arboretum grounds and its spring splendor. Racers will arrive at the Farm at the Arb, 3210 W. 82nd St., Chaska, where the races start and end. The Kid’s 1K loops around the event lawns near the historic Red Barn, a great area to cheer on the little racers. All racers receive a 15% discount at the Gift & Garden store, good on race day. Check-in starts at 7:30 a.m., followed by races at 8:30 a.m. (5K timed), 8:35 a.m. (5K non-timed) and 10 a.m. (1K). Registration costs are $10 for the kids race; $30-$35 for members; and $45-$50 for non-members. Register by April 14 for a guaranteed race shirt in your preferred size at arb.umn.edu/events/budbreak5k Tickets include daily admission to the entire Arboretum.

YOGA IN THE GARDENS

Join a spring session of our popular series, including a variety of wellness practices in 2023. Registration is $5 per class for members and $20 per class for non-members and includes daily general admission to the Arboretum. Get tickets (required) at arb.umn.edu/yoga

April 2, 10 a.m. — Nia at the Farm at the Arb with Andrea Weiss

April 13, 6 p.m. — Yin Yoga & Sound Healing in the Sculpture Garden with Matthew Tift

April 16, 10 a.m. — T'ai Chi Chih in the Chinese Garden with Sue Bitney

April 30, 10 a.m. — Slow Flow & Meditation at the Waterfall Pond with Katie Murphy of Yoga4Life Wellness

May 11, 6 p.m. — Gentle Yoga in the Azalea Collection with Matthew Tift

May 21, 10 a.m. — Nia in the Sculpture Garden with Beth Giles

May 25, 6 p.m. — Vitality Vinyasa Flow in the Sensory Garden with Nancee Nystrom of onelove.yoga

STORYTIME IN THE LIBRARY

April 28 and May 26, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Foster a love of books and reading among ages 0-5 and their companions on the last Friday of each month in the Andersen Horticultural Library. Upcoming themes include Trees (April 28) and Spring (May 26). Learn more at arb.umn.edu/events.

ALL ABOUT DOGS DAY

June 3, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Though dogs aren’t allowed in the main gardens at the Arboretum, they’re the stars of the Arboretum’s 65-acre Dog Commons, an on-leash dog trail designed by the Nature-Based Therapeutics experts at the University of Minnesota. And on this day, we invite dog owners to come together to walk the trails, heel for photos and meet other dog-lovers. A Pet Expo features 40 pet vendors while events include a scavenger hunt, contests (cutest dog, best trick, best costume, dog-owner look-alikes), doga (dog yoga), agility demos and prizes. arb.umn.edu/events/allaboutdogsday

ARBORETUM PLANT SALE

May 13-14, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Shop for plants selected by Minnesota Landscape Arboretum horticultural experts at this annual sale featuring a fabulous selection of annuals, perennials, fruits, vegetables, herbs, lilies, roses, hostas, Minnesota natives, trees, and several varieties of U of M-introduced apple and fruit trees, grapes, azaleas and shrubs. Ticket holders will enter at the Farm at the Arb, 3210 W. 82nd St., Chaska. Admission is free, but shoppers need to make a reservation by visiting arb.umn.edu/plantsale. Separate tickets are required to visit the Arboretum during this Mother’s Day weekend event.

RAIN FLOWER PROJECT

May 1-31

The Rainflower Project, created by local ceramic artist Damien Wolf, promotes positive mental health and suicide prevention. Wolf designed the art installation to honor people who have been affected by suicide, remember people who have died by suicide and acknowledge the survivors of suicide.

Photos by Sarah Jackson

The Gala in the Gardens is back at the Farm at the Arb on Thursday, June 15. Hosted by the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Foundation Board of Trustees, the gala is the Arboretum’s signature annual fundraising event. This year’s program will focus on the incredible impact of transformational education experiences at the Arboretum.

Enjoy an elegant sunset meal and an inspiring program with emcee Belinda Jensen, KARE 11’s Chief Meteorologist, along with live and silent auctions and an energetic fundraising feature known as Fund-A-Need, which raises support for a one-time special project.

This year’s Fund-A-Need will raise money for a new Urban Tree Collection. This new model

landscape will be located near the Snyder Building and will assist in creating a visually appealing, eco-friendly parking area — combining needed additional parking with model tree varieties. With the help of generous Gala attendees, this FundA-Need project will provide diverse, space-saving trees, groundcover plantings and pervious surfaces, adding needed shade and beauty to an otherwise utilitarian space. These strategically placed trees will also work to minimize soil erosion and help control stormwater runoff while providing a natural habitat for birds and other pollinators. As with the Arboretum’s other model landscapes, educational interpretation and signage will be developed to share the value of this new collection and ways that businesses and other organizations can replicate it on their own landscapes. In addition to this special Fund-A-Need effort, general funds raised at the gala are invested into the Arboretum’s 1,200 acres of gardens, plant and tree collections, facilities and over 12.5 miles of walkways and trails. Your support propels the Arboretum’s mission to welcome, inform and inspire more than 500,000 visitors a year through outstanding displays, protected natural areas, horticultural research and education.

Find the latest gala details and registration links at arb.umn.edu/gala, call 612-625-9437 or email arbgala@ umn.edu with questions. The 2023 Gala Committee co-chairs are Alene G. Sussman and Jaime Gearhart.

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

GIFT & GARDEN STORE

NEW ARRIVALS!

The Arboretum is delighted to announce many new arrivals for spring at the Arboretum Gift & Garden Store, including a line of body care products, honeys and teas from Minnesota-based Lakota Made. All of the products are locally and sustainably harvested and made in small batches. There are no preservatives, dyes or perfumes added.

Also, new for spring is a line of microgreens and sprout-growing kits from Botanical Interests, a terrific seed company. The store’s large selection of seed racks also include Prairie Moon Seeds and Seed Savers Exchange heirloom seeds.

DOUBLE DISCOUNT DAYS

TREE SPONSORS:

9 a.m.-6 p.m. April 14-28, 2023

The Arboretum’s Gift & Garden Store is stocked for all your spring gifting needs — Mother’s Day, graduations and Father’s Day. And Arboretum members qualify for a 20% discount on all regularly priced merchandise — double the usual member discount — when they show their membership card at the register. Discounts do not apply to Lakota Made products.

Lakota Made soaps come in enchanting shapes.

Photo by Robert Evans Imagery

Michelle Mero Riedel, Denise Heuer and Sue Sperber celebrate at Gala in the Gardens in 2022.

Honoring the Stewards of This Land: Past, Present & Future

The Arboretum is a wonderful place to learn, thanks to a variety of experts, scenery and plant collections. Prices listed are for members/non-members respectively. See a complete list of classes for adults, children and families at arb.umn.edu under “Learn.” Follow the class links to register or call 612-301-1210.

Register by April 18

Learn research-based best practices for growing fruits and vegetables in Minnesota through seven self-paced online modules curated from the Master Gardener Core Course. Cover soil and fertilizing, plant diseases, insects, pests and weeds. Tackle the material at your own pace April 19-Sept. 30. Cost is $100/$125.

Spring Full Moon Photography

April 4, 5-9 p.m. and April 5, 6-10 p.m. Gain special access to the Arboretum after dark over two nights while you learn to capture the full moon rising, starting at the Tashjian Bee & Pollinator Discovery Center and practicing at various locations at the Arboretum. Through a combination of classroom and in-the-field lessons, explore planning, equipment, composition, exposure, settings, techniques and professional tips for great moon shots. Cost is $232/$262.

Finding Your Rhythm in Watercolor

April 6, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

All levels are welcome to explore the interactions between paper, water, paint and brushes in watercolor at this class in the Tashjian Bee & Pollinator Discovery Center. Understand the watercolor process and paint properties. You’ll complete practice exercises to create special effects and achieve the results you desire. Bring your own supplies. Cost is $59/$74.

Apple Blossoms in Watercolor

May 4, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

This class at the Tashjian Bee & Pollinator Discovery Center will teach you to paint the bright buds and translucent petals of blushing spring apple trees. Learn how to map edges, define shapes, mix neutral colors for shading, create watercolor blooms and build a geometric framework to finish your composition. Some experience is preferred. Bring your own supplies. Cost is $59/$74.

Photographing Spring Wildflowers

April 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

In this online class, focus on finding and capturing native spring ephemerals in your photography as you discuss, via Zoom, how to improve composition with focus selections, avoid visual distractions, overcome depth of field and lighting challenges and different stylistic approaches. Cost is $44/$49.

EDIBLE PLANTS SHORT COURSE

A Wonder-Filled Experience (AWE) Walk

April 20, April 27, May 2 or May 18, 2-3:15 p.m.

Join Nature-Based Therapeutics staff, outdoors, to learn and experience the science behind the healing power of nature. Spark your sense of wonder while learning to calm your mind, open your heart and relax your body in this 1.5-hour class as part of the Arboretum’s Nature Heals Initiative. Cost is $20/$35.

Photographing Spring Bulbs in Bloom

May 11, 6:30-8 p.m.

In this online class — with an optional in-person practicum at the Arboretum from 8-10 a.m.

May 13 — discuss the five types of flower photography, managing depth of field for closeup shots, tips for great composition, image stacking, as well as basic and advanced equipment needed for best results. Cost is $39/$44 for online only or $95/$115 if you want the online class plus the in-person practicum.

Photographing Beautiful Buds

May 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

In this online class, learn how to decide which buds to photograph, how to isolate them for clean images, techniques for incorporating weather elements, the importance of focus and composition, post-processing techniques and various creative stylistic approaches to your close-up photography. Cost is $44/$49.

Managing Pests in Your Garden Register by May 16

Learn best practices for managing diseases in vegetable or ornamental garden beds through four online self-paced modules curated from the Master Gardener Core Course. Cover garden insects, integrated pest management, plant diseases and weeds. Complete the modules at at your own pace May 17-Sept. 30. Cost is $50/$70.

iPhone Photo Editing Made Easy

April 25 and 27, 6:30-9 p.m.

Learn how to make your iPhone or iPad photos look their best in this two-session online workshop. You’ll learn how to edit photos right on your device to adjust contrast, structure, brightness, saturation and more, as well as how to remove blemishes, add vignettes, use filters, take portraits and other tools. Cost is $90/$95 and covers both online sessions.

Shinrin-Yoku

May 12, 9-11 a.m.

This Japanese mindfulness practice (translated as “forest bathing”) invites nature to be your healer. Guided awareness exercises will help awaken your senses and calm your mind in this Arboretum Nature Heals Initiative experience, which meets at the Ordway Picnic Shelter. Cost is $19/$34.

Watch the Beekeeper at Work

May 19, 2:30-2:50 p.m.

Drop in to get a peek at a day in the life of a beekeeper — through the windows from safely inside the Tashjian Bee & Pollinator Discovery Center— as honey bee hives are inspected. This event is included with daily ticketed admission to the Arboretum and is weather-dependent as hives are not opened during inclement weather.

Shinrin-Yoku With Dogs

May 25, 6:30-7:45 p.m.

In this Nature Heals Initiative experience, members with Dog-Added Memberships are invited with their dogs to the leashed Dog Commons area to enjoy the tranquility and well-being of Shinrin-yoku (translation: forest bathing). This Japanese mindfulness practice invites nature to be your healer. Learn how green exercise benefits you and your dog. Advance registration required. Cost is $5.

Balanced Stone Sculptures for Your Garden

May 13, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Use shape, weight and friction to create impossible-looking balances using ordinary stones. Gain insights on photographing your creations, learn about design and composition, receive helpful tips and then practice in class. No experience necessary. Cost is $45/$60.

Special Access: Photographer's Morning: Spring Blooms

May 14 (Mother’s Day) or May 23, 6-8 a.m. Calling all photographers! Meet in front of the Oswald Visitor Center to gain special early-morning access to the Arboretum to photograph the 40,000 spring bulbs before the gates open to the public. A limit of 50 photographeronly guests ensures a quality photographing experience without the distracting crowds. Cost is $19/$34.

3675 Arboretum Drive

Chaska, Minnesota 55318-9613

Art at the Arboretum

Make the art galleries at the Arboretum a part of every visit. Art in the Reedy and Cafe galleries is for sale. Visit the Membership desk, write member@umn.edu or call 612-301-1257 to purchase art. Proceeds go towards funding the Arboretum and the local artist community. All exhibits are included with daily ticketed gate admission. Learn more: arb.umn.edu/art-galleries

REEDY GALLERY

Awakenings: Minnesota Watercolor Society

Juried Show • Through May 21

See a variety of beautiful watercolors blossom this spring as part of a 19th-annual juried show by the Minnesota Watercolor Society. The show’s jurist, Don Andrews, is a nationally known, award-winning artist, instructor and author. Winners will be unveiled during a public artist’s reception 6-8 p.m. April 6 in the MacMillan Auditorium with a cash bar and light hors d'oeuvres.

CAFE GALLERY

Seasons of Beauty: Arboretum Photographers Society • Through April 16

Don’t miss the final weeks of this 16th-annual juried show by the Arboretum Photographers Society, showcasing the extraordinary talents of the society’s volunteer members and their talent for depicting the beauty of the seasons throughout their careers.

Sanctuary: A Batik Journey by Kim Gordon • April 20 – June 18

Experience the ancient art of batik, a technique that uses successive layers of liquid pigment and hot wax resin to define color, value and form. Inspired by direct observation of the natural world, Gordon brings her influences inward as a journey to solace and new perspectives that reconnect again to the outward world. Attend an artist Meet & Greet from noon-2 p.m. April 29.

SKYWAY GALLERY

Seasons of Splendor: Illustrations of Japanese Flowers • Through Aug. 12

Revel in the beauty of Japanese floral prints from a four-volume work by Shoseki Kose (1843-1919) titled “Shichijūnikō meika gajō”— which translates as “iIllustrations of Japanese flowers arranged by seasons.” The set includes subtle, delicate renditions of cherry blossoms, peonies, magnolias, lilies and more.

ANDERSEN HORTICULTURAL LIBRARY

Living Arts of Japan: Bonsai, Ikebana and Garden Design • Through Aug. 12

View the works of Koichi Kawana, designer of the Arboretum’s Japanese Garden, along with several items from Andersen Horticultural Library’s collection, live specimens and more.

“Blue Flag Iris” by Kim Gordon (top left); “Day Dreamer” by Tara Sweeney from the Minnesota Watercolor Society 2022 show (top right); “Reflection of a Purple Lily” by Michael Borg (middle right); “Maple Vision” by Todd Mulvihill (bottom right); “Midsummer Magic” by Jason Boudreau-Landis (bottom left)